Sanctuary of the Lord of Villaseca, Mineral de Cata.

It began to be exploited in 1560.

Bonanza in 1724, Francisco Matias de Busto owner, the Marquis of San Clemente.
S. XIX ore mined by two British companies.
S. Needless XX. Workers create the Cooperativa Santa Fe de Guanajuato
Christ Crucified Villaseca, image brought from Spain in 1608.
Baroque Style, built 1709-1789
In the state of Guanajuato is the Sanctuary of the Lord of Villaseca temple to house the
Black Christ of Villaseca. Its construction began in 1709 when Guanajuato was awarded
the title of town by Philip III and terminated in 1789 when it holds the city, a category that
gave Ferdinand IV in 1741.
Product of the mining wealth and the state during the colonial period, small towns
developed around the city of Guanajuato. In each building was a temple for the public to
be a place where perform various religious practices and also a patron saint to turn to
make multiple requests and also to show the wealth owners had these minerals and how
investing in religious works.
In the present case it is this temple belongs to Cata ore whose shrine is dedicated to Lord
of Villaseca, has a cover churrigueresca profusely ornamented, carved in pink stone, as
seen in the picture below is unfinished, because, among other things, at the beginning of
the independence movement, is located inside the famous sanctuary of the Lord of
Villaseca.
Priest Esteban Ramirez The slogan, in his monograph on the temple, the construction
lasted about eighty years. This was funded by the miners and completed by the owners of
the mine of San Lorenzo. In the first half of the nineteenth century is forming a personality
mystique of the place.
The Christ under the patronage of Villaseca take, possibly named after the first owner of
the land, which would be held in the sanctuary located. So the father sits Ramirez: the
owner, in 1709, the estate and the Christ was called Alonso de Villaseca. As time continue
naming it that way.
The first miracle that takes an image, considered miraculous happens in extraordinary
conditions. In the case of the Black Christ: The collective memory records the astonishing
first miracle the Lord of Villaseca. The former was reminded that a woman who favors
Christ for the first time, when protected from the wrath of the husband to be discovered
bringing lunch to her lover. This is transformed into flowers and perfume offerings faithless,
he says, leads to Jesus crucified.
The sanctuary houses hundreds of laminitis known as "altarpieces" or "votive" by the
faithful. From Old Mexico were offered both gifts of thanks or request. In such a way that
from the sixteenth century converges with the forms of religiosity of man come from
overseas. The tradition continues today in which, in particular, the Lord of Villaseca,
receives requests for help.
The ex-voto or retablo, is a proof of gratitude to a particular saint for a miracle granted.
The votive offering with an image testifies the miracle: the fact, the favored and the saint
who had been entrusted; further explains in detail with a text which mentions the name of
the person who received the miracle, the place and date. It is performed by the grateful or
their relatives
These offerings are placed in shrines or places of worship, the faithful perform thank their
gods for a favor received or the request for divine assistance. The first remains were found
in Spain.
Later this practice was taken up by Catholicism for thanks or request of a miracle.
As for the technique used in the ex votos are found, or colored pencil drawings and
painted. Some are very elaborate and simple, the importance of ex voto is expression. For
centuries the fervor and appreciation was based on health problems, healing after an
accident and other significant aspects.
In this sanctuary was a rich collection of ex votos, worked on film, painted by artisans paid
by people who had received a favor or miracle. However, in 1999 almost all former votes
were collected by the INAH, to restore them, catalog them and expose them in a museum
that would be created for this purpose

Durand Jorge, Los Exvotos, Vida y Milagros de los Mexicanos, Centro de
Investigaciones de San Luis Potosi, A. C, Universidad de Guadalajara, 1995