Our Lady of Begoña
Encyclopedia
The cult of Our Lady of Begoña (Nuestra Señora de Begoña, la Madre de Dios de Begoña) celebrates an apparition of the Virgin Mary at the site of the Basilica of Begoña
, in Bilbao
, Spain
. Affectionately called "Amatxu" (meaning "mother" in Basque
), she is said to have appeared to local people in the early 16th century.
Pius X declared her the patron saint
of Biscay
in 1903.
Basilica of Begoña
The Basilica of Begoña is a basilica in Bilbao, in Spain, dedicated to the patron saint of Biscay, the Virgin Begoña.The current parish priest is Jesús Francisco de Garitaonandia.-History:...
, in Bilbao
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Affectionately called "Amatxu" (meaning "mother" in Basque
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
), she is said to have appeared to local people in the early 16th century.
Pius X declared her the patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
in 1903.