A visit to she who possesses the highest of graces

Less than an hour from Punta Cana, the most famous tourist destination in the Dominican Republic, is the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia, which is also the most visited religious destination for Dominicans on the island.

Every Jan. 21, Dominicans celebrate the Virgin of Altagracia, the most venerated and beloved Marian devotion in our country. With this devotion, our mother in heaven receives the title of “protector” of the nation.

The Dominican people profess a deep love for Mary, whom they affectionately refer to as “Tatica,” a diminutive of Altagracia. Throughout the year, thousands of my compatriots visit her home to thank her for her faithful companionship, convinced of the gift of her constant intercession. This is how we feel and what we believe.

In fact, the very architecture of the basilica echoes this conviction: As we approach, we are greeted by a 260-foot-high concrete arch symbolizing the Virgin’s hands joined in prayer, holding a cross.

Since I was a child, the name of this invocation has caught my attention. I found it curious and even funny. Currently, this name is among the most common names for Dominican women. Clearly, this name is much more understandable once the two words in its composition are examined: That is, “high grace.” These words are perfectly applicable to Mary, the woman of hyperdulia, who received the highest of graces.

“Grace” is a polysemic theological concept that I like. It fills me with joy and amazement to hear and repeat that greeting from the angel Gabriel that we all know from the Gospel of Luke. How gratifying it is for me to celebrate the one who received and generously accepted God’s favor; the one chosen to be his mother and the spiritual mother of all humanity.

Scott Hahn, in “Hail, Holy Queen,” affirms that the fact that the Virgin Mary lived in a state of sanctifying grace earned by the merits of her son, Jesus — as we profess in the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception — is part of God’s plan of salvation.

In the same work, Hahn points out that St. John Henry Newman taught that the Immaculate Conception was an important corollary to Mary’s role as the new Eve. And that we should not be afraid to affirm that the Virgin even received the gift of grace greater than this. Truly, through her, our history of salvation is recapitulated.

In my book club, we have dedicated the month of January to delving into selected stories by Flannery O’Connor. It has also been, inevitably, an opportunity to reflect on grace.

Grace is not only the state of intimacy with God or the favor granted by him out of his goodness and not because of our merits, but it is also his irruption into our daily lives; a revelation, a radical intervention that opens up the possibility of redirecting our lives in order to attain — as a new opportunity — salvation.

But O’Connor adds that “all human nature resists grace vigorously because grace changes us, and change is painful.”

Oh, Mother, may we imitate your firm fiat and break down all resistance that separates us from redemption.

Every pilgrim who travels to Higüey, the municipality where the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia is located, also finds the opportunity to surrender, rediscover themselves and open themselves to divine grace through Mary. It is impossible to be there and not breathe in her tenderness.

The basilica was inaugurated in 1971, replacing the old sanctuary located a few meters away, which had stood there since 1572 under the name of Iglesia de San Dionisio (Church of St. Dionysius). It was there that the image of the Virgin of Altagracia began to be venerated, and where hundreds of faithful began to testify to numerous miracles granted through the intercession of the Virgin.

Next to the basilica-cathedral is the Museum of Altagracia, a place that promotes the history and sacred art surrounding this devotion. There, I was fascinated to see, through legends, votive offerings and paintings, the fervent faith of the faithful who have entrusted themselves to Mary.

May she, Our Lady of Altagracia, our model of faith and charity, rekindle our hope and lavish us with her maternal consolation. And may she accompany us on our pilgrimage to heaven where she, crowned as queen, intercedes for our souls and awaits us.

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