The image of Most Holy Mary of Hope Macarena of Seville you will receive the Golden rose speak Pope Francis in recognition of its importance in popular devotion. The Archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses, communicated the historic announcement in the Basilica of the Fraternity this Sunday, after the Angelus prayer. This is the third image to receive this distinction in Spain.
The Apostolic Nuncio in Spain, Bishop Bernardito C. Auza, was tasked with transmitting to the archbishop the message of the Secretariat of State of His Holiness with the granting of “such a high pontifical distinction,” according to the archdiocese.
The Golden Rose shows the Pope’s connection to his “deep Marian devotion.” The delivery ceremony will take place the day before the opening of the 2nd Congress International Congress of Brotherhoods and Popular Pietywhich will take place from December 4 to 8.
Monsignor Edgar Peña Parra, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State and special envoy of Pope Francis for the said congress, will be in charge of carrying the Golden Rose on behalf of His Holiness and will place it at the feet of the venerated image on the eve of the opening of the said conclave.
The image by María Santísima de la Esperanza Macarena is a baroque sculpture, dated year 1680. Its author is anonymousalthough its origin is located in the workshop of Pedro Roldán. It will be the third image to receive it in Spain, after the Virgen de la Cabeza (2009), patron saint of Andújar (Jaén), and the Virgin of Montserrat (2023), patron saint of Catalonia.
Symbolism of the Golden Rose
The Golden Rose symbolizes the papal blessing and it is an exclusive gift of pontiffs to express their “reverence” to the Virgin Mary. The tradition dates back to Pope Leo IX, who created it in 1049. Over the centuries, it has been offered to monasteries, sanctuaries, sovereigns and eminent personalities in recognition of their commitment to faith and the common good.
In the past, the Golden Rose was also awarded to queens, including Isabella the Catholic, who was the first monarch to receive it in 1493 by Pope Innocent VIII. It was in the second half of the 20th century that deliveries of the Golden Rose became rare and they began to be awarded to Marian shrines.
The Golden Rose is made of gold-plated silver and represents a rose bush with flowers, buds and leaves, all placed in a Renaissance-style silver glass and with the papal coat of arms. It is blessed by the Pope on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
“Historic day” for the Brotherhood
The Archbishop of Seville took up his post this Sunday Basilica of the Most Holy Mary of Hope Macarena to make this announcement with the rector of the temple, José María Losada; the elder brother, José Antonio Fernández Cabrero; and a large group of faithful gathered inside.
The elder brother, visibly moved, thanked the Holy Father for the award of the Golden Rose and renewed “the permanent commitment of the Brotherhood to continue evangelizing tirelessly.” According to Fernández Cabrero, this pontifical distinction is “a recognition of the popular and Marian piety of the entire Archdiocese of Seville, a gift that will fill the Basilica Esperanza Macarena with the good smell of Christ.”
THE Fraternity posted a brief statement on social media showing his emotion after the news: “Today is a historic day for our Fraternity, our brothers and hundreds of thousands of faithful of the Blessed Virgin of Hope throughout the world. Pope Francis awarded the Golden Rose to the Virgin of Hope, the highest distinction granted by the Holy Father and which recognizes the universal devotion to Our Lady. We, Macarenos, exultant and excited, thank the Holy Father and our Pastor for this great honor. Let us thank God for granting us the privilege of directing our prayers to the Virgin Mary, of calling her Our Hope and of seeing her unique face. May the Blessed Virgin of Hope continue to guide our Fraternity so that it may be worthy of this high recognition from the universal Church.
