Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of La Leche

The honor of a canonical coronation and the establishment of a diocesan feast in honor of Our Lady of La Leche were first granted by Pope Benedict XVI, recognizing the faith and devotion that have flourished here for centuries. The coronation was joyfully celebrated on Oct. 10, 2021, under Pope Francis during a solemn Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, archbishop of Madrid and papal envoy to the United States, presided and crowned both Mary and the Child Jesus, honoring her as “Queen and Lady of all creation.”

Today, the crowned image of Our Lady of La Leche is enshrined in the Historic Chapel on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, where pilgrims continue to venerate her with deep devotion and gratitude.

What Is a Canonical Coronation?

A canonical coronation is a formal act of the pope in which an image of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary or St. Joseph is crowned in the name of the Holy Father. It affirms that a particular image, while cherished locally, holds universal significance for the Church as a visible witness to God’s saving love.

While May crownings are a beloved tradition, a canonical coronation is a rare papal honor—bestowed only once on a given image. The image of Our Lady of La Leche became just the fourth in the United States to receive this distinction, joining Our Lady of Prompt Succor (1895), Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New York (1904) and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles (2013).

A Celebration to Remember

In his homily, Cardinal Osoro Sierra offered a deeply moving reflection on Mary’s motherhood. He spoke of the tender embrace between mother and child in the image, reminding the faithful that “each of us is a child…a son, a daughter of God.” Mary’s maternal love, he said, invites all people to make God the center of their lives.

After the crowning, the faithful rejoiced in Mary’s role as a pilgrim and protector. Catholics across the Diocese of St. Augustine and beyond joined the celebration in person and via livestream. Families gathered on the Shrine grounds to witness the coronation with reverence and heartfelt devotion—marking a historic moment of faith for the Church in Florida and the nation.