The Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love of the Campus
Make your donation to the Mother of Fair Love from the campus
At the top of one of the branches of the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela that crosses the campusThe church is located at the top of one of the branches of the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, there is a Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love dedicated to the Virgin Mary, in her invocation of "Mother of Fair Love".
The statue of Our Lady with Child is a gift from the Founder and first Chancellorof the University of Navarra, Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. It was sculpted in white marble by Emilio Sciancalepore and blessed in Rome by Pope Paul VI.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love was designed by Heliodoro Dols, a professor at the School of Architecture, who was inspired by the humilladeros of Navarre for his design . It measures 4 x 4 metres and is made of stone, brick, old roof tiles and iron railings.
The image is the work of the Italian sculptor Emilio Sciancalepore. The autographed grade in which Saint Josemaría asked for the commission to be made has been preserved. It reads:
To commission an image of the Blessed Virgin from Sciancalepore with the following characteristics:
1) full size, rather tall;
2) seated and holding the Child Jesus, who will be standing on a stack of books;
3) the spines of at least three of these books will be visible: the lowest one will read degree scroll: Civil Law; another one will read Medicina; and the highest one will read Ius Canonicum;
4) the Child shall hold a rose in his left hand, pressed to his breast, and with his right hand he shall bless.
Tell Sciancalepore, Jesus, to pray a Hail Mary to the Madonna every day before he goes to work.
It is necessary to think of the pedestal, which will bear the engraving: Sancta Maria, Mater Pulchrae Dilectionis. Ora pro nobis.
THE IMAGE OF OUR SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF FAIR LOVE
Acquire a replica of the figure of the Virgin of campus! This replica seeks to bring our image of the Mother of Beautiful Love closer to all those who in some way have venerated her from the university, the clinic, student life and homes.
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1963
The order
In Rome, St. Josemaría commissioned the Roman sculptor Emilio Sciancalepore to carve the image, which he then sent as a gift to the University of Rome.
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1965
Blessing of the image by St. Paul VI
It was blessed in Rome by Saint Paul VI on 21 November 1965.
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1965
Why the title "Mother of Fair Love"?
When St Josemaría was asked why this invocation of our Lady, he replied: "So that you will not be afraid of human love, clean and noble, like that of your parents.
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1966
Arrival at campus
On 22 February 1966 the Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love arrives at the campus from Rome.
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1966
Inauguration
The Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love was inaugurated on the day of the Immaculate Conception in 1966. It was blessed by the Archbishop of Pamplona.
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1967
St. Josemaría venerates for the first time Our Lady of the Virgin of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love
The words of St. Josemaría:
"You already know, professors, students, and all of you who dedicate your work to the University of Navarre: I have entrusted your loves to Holy Mary, Mother of Fair Love. And there you have the Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love that we have built with devotion, at the university's campus , to collect your prayers and the oblation of that stupendous and clean love, which she blesses".
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1968
New visit of Saint Josemaría
St. Josemaría went to Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love to pray before the image of the Mother of Fair Love.
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1968
St Josemaria comes to pray
St. Josemaría went to Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love to pray before the image of the Mother of Fair Love.
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1968
The back wall is installed
Covered with a gold and grey mosaic depicting angels, musicians and singers holding a mantle adorned with roses, the work of José Alzuet.
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1969
St Josemaria arrives from Rome
On November 1, 1969, St. Josemaría arrived from Rome to announce the recent erection of the School of Theology by the Holy See. At the Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love he lit the two votive lamps, which have been permanently lit ever since.
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1972
April 1972
The Chancellor visit Pamplona, before beginning its two-month tour of Spain and Portugal, catechesis , to place its fruits at the feet of the Virgin.
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1972
October 1972
The Chancellor visit Pamplona on the occasion of a doctoral inauguration ceremony honorary lecture.
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1974
May 1974
Last visit of Chancellor to Pamplona, he prays at Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love before the image of Our Lady.
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2016
50 years
On 8 December 2016, Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love celebrates its 50th anniversary since it came to the campus.
More images of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fair Love
