Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy Barcelona Prayer Card Madonna of Mercy

Basilica of Mercy / Basilica of the Merced The Basilica of Our Lady of Grace and St. Michael the Archangel Prayer card from the basilica located in the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, Spain. Pocket / wallet size and measures 4.5” x 3” The Basilica de la Mercy was built by the Catalan architect Josep Mas i Dordal in 1765. It is dedicated to the patron saint of Barcelona, Our Lady of Mercé. The interior of the church is impressive, with Gothic architecture adorned with sculptures and religious frescoes. It is also known for housing the statue of the Virgin of Mercé, which is carried in a procession during the Mercé festival in September. The history of the Basilica de la Mercé dates back to medieval times, when the inhabitants of Barcelona asked the Virgin Mary to protect them from the plague and pirates. Legend has it that the Virgin appeared to a merchant, Sant Pere Nolasc, and asked him to build a church in her honour. In 1918 it was granted the title of minor basilica by Pope Benedict XV in commemoration of the 7th centenary of the apparition of the Virgin to St. Peter Nolasco, founder of the Order of Mercedarians.