Victoria Beatae Mariae Virginis

Just a simple explanation of our header above, for those who may be curious about it. The image is a partial view of the top part of the high altar of the Conventual Church of the Royal Monastery of Our Lady of the Visitation, better known as Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, in Madrid. Our choice has a triple significance: first, in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Most Holy, depicted in the image; second, as a memento of the visit of the Holy Father to this very city this week; and, also, in honor of the 400th anniversary of the death of Father Tomás Luis de Victoria.

The Monastery of the Descalzas Reales, a convent of Poor Clare nuns under the patronage of the Royal Family, was founded by Princess Joan of Austria (Juana de Austria, that is, of Habsburg), daughter of Emperor Charles V and mother of King Sebastian of Portugal, after having returned to Spain upon the death of her husband, Prince John of Portugal, and while she acted as Regent of Spain as her brother, King Philip II, remained in England with his wife, Queen Mary I, of most honorable memory. Princess Joan herself had been born in the palace, where the Emperor, her father, and Empress Isabel of Portugal, her mother, lived, that was transformed in the Royal Monastery.

It was in the Descalzas Reales that Victoria, after returning from successful years in Rome, spent the last 24 years of his life as chaplain and organist, under the patronage of Philip II and one of his other sisters, Archduchess Mary of Austria, retired in the convent. Victoria died on August 27, 1611, and was buried in the Royal Monastery - though his exact burial place in the building is unknown.