A Lady With Many Names

Our Lady of the Assumption, Our Lady of the Rosary, La Conquistadora (Our Lady of Conquest), Our Lady of the Conception, and Our Lady of Peace are names she is called or has been called. I know her as La Conquistadora but a few years back I was told that the name brought back memories of wars and unrest so she would be called Our Lady of Peace.


Whatever she is called, the wooden statue of the Blessed Virgin is the oldest Marian statue in the United States. She  was brought to New Mexico from Spain by a missionary, Fray Alonzo Benevidez, in 1624. At that time the statue was called Our Lady of the Assumption.  In those early days there was friction between Native Americans and the Spanish settlers. In August of 1680 the Indians revolted and chased the Spanish settlers out of Santa Fe after killing twenty-one priests out of the thirty-three who lived in or near by Santa Fe. The settlers were driven out of Santa Fe and the city was burned. Somehow, the statue was rescued and she ended up, along with the fleeing settlers, in what is now known as southern Texas and Juarez, Mexico. There they would live until Don Diego de Vargas was sent by the King of Spain to resettle New Mexico.

Don Diego de Vargas, under a banner of Our Lady, was able to enter Santa Fe without any bloodshed. Well, there was some fighting but not as bad as it could have been! Don Diego gave credit to the Blessed Mother and named her La Conquistadora. He placed a military baton in her right hand and to this day she still holds it.  Sometimes, I have seen the baton removed and baby Jesus placed in her arms or a bouquet of flowers. In 1712 it was mandated to have a Fiesta in Santa Fe every fall and, as far as I know, there is a week long fiesta along with a procession with La Conquistadora every year.

A friend of mine is the madrina (godmother) of the statue and she dresses her for certain occasions.
Our Lady's wardrobe consists of gifts from people who have had favors granted. The outfits are elaborately sewn from silk, satin, velvet, and brocade. Her wardrobe includes jewelry, a crown and a diamond and emerald cross. I have heard she has over 300 outfits all kept under lock and key at the basilica in Santa Fe. Her wardrobe is extensive with new items being presented to her by faithful followers.

When not in a procession, she is in a side altar at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe and she is always dressed in her magnificent outfits!


Note: Photo of Teresa Garcia, the sacristan,(or as I like to call her, the Godmother),  was taken from the Internet.