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Art and faith · Gorliz
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Dear visitor, welcome to Gorliz and its church of the Immaculate Conception. This temple was built thanks to the deep faith and great devotion of the people of this fishing village towards the Mother of God. For centuries it has been visited by its parishioners and travellers to seek moments of peace and seclusion.
This temple, located in the Elexalde neighborhood, the main nucleus of the municipality, is one of the oldest buildings in Gorliz. The uninterrupted occupation of this place since the 7th century is documented thanks to the studies of the archaeological remains found in the surroundings. The current structure, built on a primitive temple of Romanesque origin, dates from the second half of the 18th century (1755 – 1781) and was carried out under the direction of the architect Martin de Uribeondo.
After these brushstrokes about the origins and construction of the temple, we invite you to begin the visit by walking through the central corridor until you reach the head of the temple. You can distinguish in the choir, at the back of the temple, a splendid organ, the work of Juan Melcher, built in 1920 and restored in 2019. Surely, upon entering the sacred enclosure, your attention has been directed to the boat that hangs from the vault, a sailor ex-voto that reminds us of Gorliz’s historical connection with the sea. In front of the access door is the image of the Virgin of Fatima. In the same way, the reliefs corresponding to the XIV stations of the VIA CRUCIS are distributed on the side walls. On many occasions it seems that the accompaniment of Jesus in his Passion and Death ends in the tomb, and it is forgotten that on the third day Christ rose from the dead and is alive among us. VIA LUCIS
As you can see, it is a temple with a single nave with four neoclassical altarpieces, designed to fit the walls of the nave. To admire them in detail, go up close to them or take a seat on the front benches. Let’s start with the altarpieces located on the right, on the Epistle side. The first of them is consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Christ with his open side shows us his burning heart of infinite Love for each one of us. It is accompanied by images of the Immaculate Conception and her husband Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus in his arms. The whole complex is crowned by the carving of Saint Nicholas of Bari.
“And so I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For those who ask will receive, and those who seek will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks.”
Luke 11, 9-10
In the adjoining altarpiece, in the central niche, we see the Apostle Saint James mounted on a white horse. He is flanked by carvings of Saint Blaise, patron saint of throat diseases, with great devotion in Basque lands, and Saint Isidore the Laborer, patron saint of farmers. In the upper body, we can distinguish the figure of Saint Roch who shows the sores on his leg and is accompanied by a dog, a sign of providence that always appears in the saint’s iconography. The carving of an unknown saint finishes off the set. At her feet is the baptismal font. Baptism is the basis of the Christian life, the gateway to the rest of the sacraments and the gateway to life in the Spirit. By the Baptism that is received here we are freed from sin, regenerated as children of God, and incorporated into his Church.
On the opposite side, there are two other splendid altarpieces of similar execution. The first is that of Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the few saints who is represented with the Child Jesus in his arms. On both sides, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patron saint of fishermen and sailors, and Saint Francis of Assisi. In the upper body there is a painting of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Next to it, we can see a rose window in relief of the Blessed Souls of Purgatory. Our Lady of Rosary finishes off the altarpiece. Mary introduces us to her Son and advances her right arm bringing her rosary closer to us. The image is accompanied by the figures of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, patron saint of Biscay, and Saint Lucy, protector of sight, carrying her eyes which, according to popular tradition, were taken from her during her martyrdom. In the lower part of the altarpiece, the greatest treasure that we can find in this temple seems to go unnoticed, the Eucharistic Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. The living Christ has saved and redeemed us, he has freely given us eternal life and he is always by our side.
“Our salvation is a gift of the blood of Christ; everything is a free gift from God and his love for us”
We arrive at the main altar. The presbytery is lined with limestone blocks of different sizes up to the start of the vault. On a colourful stained glass window with the figures of the Holy Trinity and various saints, the simple and at the same time attractive figure of the Virgin Mary can be distinguished. She is crowned as Queen of the Universe, in her dedication of the Immaculate Conception. The main effigy is accompanied by images of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of Mary, while, in the upper part, a sober carving of Christ Crucified completes the set.
“I am the Lord's servant; may it happen to me as you have said.”
Luke 1, 38
There is not much more to tell you. We hope your visit has been pleasant. Before leaving the temple to continue on your way, we invite you to have a moment of recollection and prayer at the feet of Our Mother or in front of the real presence of Our Lord in the Tabernacle.
We put at your disposal some prayers that will help you in these moments of internalisation. In the same way, thanks to the various links in the text, you can delve into the life of the Saints located in the altarpieces.
TO THE IMMACULATE
O most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body
and spirit, look kindly on me as I implore
your powerful intercession.
O most Holy Mother, receive my prayers
as I present them to God.
(state your intentions here)
O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
you intercede for us with your Son.
O Mary conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Amen.
THE MEMORARE PRAYER
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
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“For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is LOVE”
(1 Cor. 13, 13)