The story of Las Lajas
1. A storm in the canyon
According to local tradition, around the middle of the eighteenth century María Mueses de Quiñones was travelling through the canyon with her daughter Rosa.
Rosa was said to have serious hearing and speech difficulties. During a violent storm they sheltered among the large stone slabs known as lajas.
2. The child's voice
Tradition says that Rosa suddenly spoke, pointed towards the rock and told her mother about a beautiful Lady calling her.
Later accounts describe further extraordinary events associated with the same place.
3. The image on the rock
The rock bears an image of Mary with the Child Jesus, accompanied by St Dominic and St Francis of Assisi.
No artist has been conclusively identified. Strong devotional traditions developed around the image, although popular claims about its origin should be distinguished from what can be established historically.
Did you know?
The present church spans the deep gorge itself, giving the impression that the sanctuary rises directly from the surrounding rock.
4. A child at the centre of the story
One of the most moving aspects of the tradition is that a child whom others might have defined primarily by her limitations stands at the very centre of the story.
The Gospel repeatedly reminds us that God sees people whom the world overlooks.
Today's Takeaway
God sees those whom others overlook.
Our dignity does not depend upon ability, status or our power to make ourselves heard.
Live It Out
Give your full attention today to someone who is easily overlooked – a child, an elderly person, someone who is ill, lonely or simply in need of being heard.
Continue the Journey
Ask yourself: Is there someone I see regularly but fail truly to notice?
Prayer
Mary, teach us to see others with the eyes of your Son and to recognise the lonely, weak and forgotten. Amen.
