Brotherhood of Our Lady of Joy

Processional Floats

Date: 18th century Baroque image

Iconography:
Image of the Virgin with the Child seated on her lap. She gazes at Him with a gentle smile, while the Child turns His eyes and little hands toward a pinecone held by the Virgin in her right hand.

History

The Brotherhood was founded in 1726 in the city of Burgos by schoolmasters devoted to the Rosary. The image was originally placed near the upper portal of the Metropolitan Cathedral, from where the Rosary procession would begin and conclude. In order to promote and preserve these devotions, the founders chose the Parish of Saint Nicholas of Bari as their canonical seat, as recorded in the 1726 Rule of Foundation preserved by the Brotherhood.

The image of Our Lady of Joy with the Child is a fine 18th-century panel painting, dating from the time the Brotherhood was established at Saint Nicholas. Today, it is housed in the central niche of the altarpiece of Saint Michael. The author is unknown.

The Brotherhood’s banner bears the image of the Virgin and Child, the year of foundation, and the inscription “Good Neighbor of Burgos,” a title granted by the City Council of Burgos on September 27, 2001.

Processions and Devotions

On Easter Sunday, the Brotherhood organizes a procession departing from Saint Nicholas and proceeding through the city to the square before the Cathedral, where the traditional Salve is sung and dances and canticles are performed in honor of Our Lady. In recent years, this procession follows a prior meeting between the Virgin and the Risen Christ.

In May, its principal feast, a triduum is celebrated, culminating in the Rosary of the Dawn through the parish streets, accompanied by music and carrying the image of the Virgin and Child.

In September, the anniversary of the foundation is commemorated on the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin.

On the first Sunday of each month, Mass is celebrated for deceased members, and the Brotherhood attends the funerals of members who pass away in the city.

Since its foundation in 1726, the Brotherhood has uninterruptedly maintained its devotions in honor of the Virgin up to the present day.