Chiquinquira: Our Lady of the Rosary

Origin of the shrine

In 1555, Antonio de Santana, a Spanish colonist, commissioned a painting of Our Lady of the Rosary to decorate his private chapel. Later, his heirs transformed that chapel into a barn, and the image was seriously damaged.

Painted by Alonso de Narvaez, the image represented the Virgin Mary, standing with her feet on a half-moon, holding a rosary and the child Jesus with a scepter in his hand.

Maria Ramos attempted to restore it, but without success. On December 26, 1586, an Indian child passing by the chapel saw a light suddenly "appear from within." His mother came running in and saw a "light coming out of the painting of the Virgin."

The Archbishop of Bogota opened an investigation, and then authorized the construction of a chapel on the premises.

Our Lady of Chiquinquira has been proclaimed patron saint of Colombia.

Pilgrimages

On July 9 (with its proper liturgy) and December 26. "The shrine has made it possible for many people to believe in God again. Many miracles have been recorded throughout its history."

Our Lady of Chiquinquira is also venerated in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Spain.

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Sources:

R.M. Méndez, René LAURENTIN and Patrick SBALCHIERO,

And www.mariologia.org