Our Lady of Altagracia

Our Lady of Altagracia ("High Grace") is a small painting from the early 16th century showing the Virgin Mary kneeling in adoration before the Child Jesus in the manger, with Saint Joseph behind her and the star of Bethlehem above. Tradition says it was brought to the island of Hispaniola by two Spanish brothers, Alfonso and Antonio Trejo, who settled in Higüey and gave it to the local church. A popular legend tells of a merchant's daughter who asked her father for an image of Our Lady of Altagracia, and of a mysterious old man who gave it to him.

The image has been venerated in Higüey for nearly five centuries. It was canonically crowned in 1922, and Saint John Paul II crowned it again during his visit in 1979. Since 1971 it has been enshrined in the modern Basilica Cathedral of Higüey.

January 21 is a national holiday in the Dominican Republic. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel to the Basilica of Higüey, many walking through the night, to thank the Virgin, keep promises and present their children to her. Dominican communities in New York, Miami, Puerto Rico and Spain celebrate with Masses, processions and songs to la Tatica, as she is affectionately called.