Our Lady of Meritxell Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Andorran

Every year on September 8, the people of Andorra commemorate the Day of Our Lady of Meritxell. As much as this is a religious observance, it is one of the most meaningful national holidays in Andorra, as it also coincides with Andorran National Day. This festivity honours Our Lady of Meritxell, a statue of the Virgin Mary depicting an apparition and the patron saint of Andorra. Even today, the tradition has a lengthy history and has not diminished.

The background of Our Lady of Meritxell Day

Our Lady of Meritxell refers to a statue depicting an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the Sanctuary of Meritxell in Andorra, an Iberian Peninsula microstate. As the patron saint of Andorra, Our Lady of Meritxell is a significant religious figure, and the celebration of this national symbol is one of the most significant events on the Andorran calendar. The religious significance of this figure’s tale involves the founding of a church and a town.

The plot occurs in the late 12th century. One winter morning, villagers from Meritxell travelled to the northern Andorran parish of Canillo for mass. On their way, they noticed a wild rose in blossom. The flower was out of season, so they found this particularly peculiar. They observed a statue of the Virgin Mary at the base of the growing flower as they gathered to observe it.

According to the legend, these villagers unsuccessfully attempted to relocate the statue to a chapel or church in one of the neighbouring cities and villages. Each morning, the statue was discovered at its original location, at the base of the flowering wild rose. Eventually, the inhabitants of Meritxell interpreted this as a portent to construct a chapel for their community.

In fact, the Meritxell chapel was one of the oldest in Andorra before it was destroyed by fire in 1972, destroying the sacrosanct statue. This event occurred on September 8, giving significance to the date of this celebration. In 1976, the sanctuary was reconstructed, and a replica of the original statue was installed.

5 Interesting Andorran Facts

Andorra is one of the world’s smallest countries, with an area of 181 square miles.

Andorra is the only country in the world governed by two individuals: the president of France and the bishop of Urgell.

Since Charlemagne’s incursions against the Moors in the eighth century, Andorra has been at peace for nearly a millennium.

Andorra is the only country in the world without a central bank; the local currency is the Euro.

Andorra is renowned for its high life expectancy of approximately 83 years.

OUR LADY OF MERITXELL DAY DATES