The Virgin of the Rosary of Chiquinquira

Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira is the patron of Colombia, as well as of the city of Maracaibo, of the Zulia State in Venezuela, and of the city of Caraz, Peru.

In 2019, Colombia celebrated the centenary of the coronation of the Virgin of the Rosary of Chiquinquira, their Queen and patron saint. The Pope's special envoy for this anniversary was Brazilian Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Archbishop Emeritus of Aparecida, site of the renowned Brazilian Marian Shrine. Cardinal Raymundo was charged by the Holy Father to bring a message to the Colombian people.

On the Plaza de la Libertad, more than 100,000 pilgrims gathered under umbrellas, in front of colonial houses decorated in blue and white. The country’s president, Ivan Duque, attended the ceremony, as well as the President of the Episcopal Conference—present in its entirety—Bishop Oscar Urbina.

"The message of this centenary of the Virgin of Chiquinquira is the renewal of faith, reconciliation and unity of the Colombian people," Bishop Urbina said.

Pope Francis himself had visited this shrine on September 7, 2017, during his trip to Colombia. "I ask the Virgin Mary Immaculate to never stop guiding and caring for her Colombian children and to always look upon them with her merciful eyes," the Pope wrote.

The image of the Virgin, sheltered under a glass protection, had been transported for the occasion by helicopter from the Shrine of Chiquinquira, in the department of Boyaca (a region of the Andes located more than 2,000 meters above sea level).

Spanish artist Alonso de Narváez painted the image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira between 1560 and 1562 on a cotton canvas made by the Koka Indians.

Adapted from Zenit