Colombia consecrated to Our Lady of the Rosary this September

During his pastoral visit to Colombia from September 6-11, 2017, Pope Francis consecrated the country to Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá.

For this very special occasion, the image of the Virgin was transported by helicopter from Chiquinquirá Shrine (department of Boyacá, a region of the Ande, 6,500 feet above sea level) to the capital Bogotá. After its arrival in the capital, the image of the Virgin was carried in procession to the cathedral, where it remained on display until September 7th. The presidential guard provided the security service.

The image is a painting of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, which was commissioned by the Spanish Dominicans to encourage the faith of the natives and settlers. It was painted between 1560 and 1562, and its frame bears the emblems of Colombia and those of the Colombian dioceses of the Dominican fathers. The image had already noticeably deteriorated over time when one day, it appeared to have been mysteriously ‘renovated.’ This inexplicable occurrence is known as “the miracle of the found image” and is the first one associated to Our Lady of Chiquinquirá.

Source: Colombia