America’s Oldest Madonna
The oldest statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States to whom a constant public devotion has been maintained is a yard-high, wood-carved statue in the Saint Francis Basilica in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her maker and her country of origin remain unknown, but tree-ring dates reveal she was carved between 1448 and 1648. When the statue made her journey to “New Spain” is not documented. What the records do show is that she arrived with a group of colonists in Santa Fe in 1625 in the care of a Franciscan missionary. Originally, she had a painted crimson dress covered with gold leaf in arabesque designs; the costume of a Moorish princess. Today her robes continue to be handmade by faithful followers, and many contain jewels and handwritten prayers sewn in the linings. Over 200 pieces of clothing are kept in the Basilica. In addition to her wardrobe, her crowns and jewelry are on display, including her diamond and emerald Byzantine cross. Like a modern day living Madonna, both have numerous outfits, extensive jewels, make extravagant appearances, and command masses of devoted followers.