Circa 40 AD, while James was evangelizing in Iberia, God enabled Mary to appear to him as encouragement. She gave him a pillar of jasper. The pillar symbolized the firmness of faith that would result from James’ efforts. He built a small church there. Through history, an image of her as well as the pillar have remained there, at present-day Zaragoza, Spain.
How is it possible that Mary appeared to him in Ibera while she was still alive in the Middle East?
The simultaneous presence of a person in two different places is a supernatural phenomenon called bilocation. Throughout history, various holy persons have been given the extraordinary gift of bilocation. It is a mystery to our limited minds, but it is a sign to humanity of God's eternal omnipresence.
Ponder
Consider journaling with these reflection questions:
- What emotions might Mary have experienced at this moment?
- How did Mary cooperate with God’s grace during this time in her life?
- What experiences in my life relate to Mary’s?
- How would I describe Mary after reflecting on this moment in her life?
- If I could have a discussion with Mary, what would I ask? What would I say?
Connect
Where is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar?
Media for You by Pilgrim Center of Hope
Art Featured In This Panel
Francisco Goya's The Apostle St. James and his disciples adoring the Virgin of the Pillar
This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 100 years or fewer.
