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The Virgin of the Forsaken in one minute
Many people still wear, or keep as a treasure, the medal they were given at their baptism. It is one of the most beautiful traditions in Spain and Latin America: a person's first gift of faith.
Who gives the baptism medal
Traditionally, godparents give it, as a symbol of their commitment to accompany the baby in faith. In many families, grandparents also give it, or it is inherited from a relative.
Which Virgin or saint to choose
- La Milagrosa, the quintessential baptism medal.
- The Virgin of the Family: the one from the town, the one from the grandmother, or the one from the city where the baby is born.
- The Virgin of the Name: a Pilar, a Carmen, a Rocío… See our medals by name.
- The Virgin of the Day on which the baptism is celebrated, if it coincides with a Marian feast.
If you like La Milagrosa, here are all our Our Lady of Miracles medals, handcrafted in Spain.
An idea: the medal of the Virgin of the Forsaken
If the baby is born in Valencia, or the family is Valencian, the medal of the Geperudeta is a beautiful first gift. These are some of ours, hand-enameled:
Does the baby wear it?
For safety, babies are not left with a chain around their neck. The usual practice is to attach it to the skirt or clothing on the day of the baptism and keep it stored away until the child is older, or hang it in the crib. Our medals come with a 40 cm chain + 5 cm extender, designed to be worn when they are older.
A medal for life
The baptism medal later accompanies them at First Communion, at Confirmation, or on their wedding day. That is why it is worth choosing a beautiful and well-made piece. Our medals are handmade in Spain with natural pearls and stones and 18K gold plating. If you take care of it, it will always accompany you: we explain how in how to care for gold-plated jewelry.
Facts you can check
About the Virgin of the Forsaken, patroness of Valencia:
- The brotherhood was founded on August 29, 1414. Shortly after, it came to be called of the Forsaken because it increasingly took in abandoned children. Source
- In the image, the Virgin holds the Child Jesus in one arm, who carries a small cross, and in the other hand a lily. Source
- Pope Leo XIII declared her patroness of Valencia by a bull of April 21, 1885. Source
- She was canonically crowned on May 12, 1923, on the bridge of the Real. The crown was made in the workshop of the goldsmith José Sugrañes. Source
Discover our baptism gifts, with shipping in 24–72 h, free from €65 and always wrapped as a gift.
Marian and Bárbara