The Virgin of the Rosary "La Chinta"

In the mid-16th century a Spanish painter created a portrait of the Virgin of the Rosary, known as "La Chinta". He used pigments from the soil, herbs and flowers of the region of Colombia, and his canvas was a rough cloth woven by Indians. The image of Mary is about a meter high. She has a small, sweet smile, both her face and the Christ Child's are light colored, and she looks as if she is about to take a step. She wears a white toque, a rose-colored robe, and a sky blue cape. A rosary hangs from the little finger of her left hand, and she holds a scepter in her right hand. She cradles the Christ Child in her left arm, and looks towards him. Christ has a little bird tied to his thumb, and a small rosary hangs from his left hand. In 1562, the portrait was placed in a rustic chapel, exposed to the air. The roof leaked and soon the damage caused by humidity and sunlight completely obscured the image. In 1577, the damaged painting was moved to Chiquinquirá and stored in an unused room. Later, Maria Ramos, a pious woman from Seville, cleaned up the little chapel and hung the faded canvas in it. Though the image was in terrible shape, she still loved to sit and contemplate it. On Friday, December 26, in the year 1586, the faded and damaged image was suddenly restored. Its colors were now bright, the canvas cleaner, the image clear and seemingly brand new. The healing of the image continued as small holes and tears in the canvas self-sealed. It still bears traces of its former damage, for instance the figures appear to be brighter and clearer from a distance than up close. For 300 years the painting hung unprotected. Pilgrims touched thousands of objects against the frail cotton cloth. This rough treatment should have destroyed it, but repaired itself somehow and goes on unscathed. Pope Pius VII declared Our Lady of Chiquinquirá patroness of Colombia in 1829, and granted a special liturgy in her honor. In 1897, a thick glass plate was added to protect it from the weather and the excessive touching of the faithful. The image was canonically crowned in 1919, and in 1927 her sanctuary was declared a Basilica.