The Catholic Church in Venezuela will celebrate, this November 18, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, popularly known as “La Chinita.” Father Nedward Andrade, parish priest of the Basilica of Chiquinquirá in Maracaibo, the epicenter of the celebrations, delved into the importance that this devotion has for the country.
It is a festival that “forms a fundamental and elemental part” of the Venezuelan culture of faith. “For all Zulians specifically, La Chinita has always been an element that is part of who we are. Even those who are not Catholics have always had something to do or some encounter with Her,” said the priest in an interview with ACI Prensa.
Receive the main news from ACI Prensa by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channels today:
It is a devotion that attracts millions of people from all over the country to the Zulia state, in western Venezuela. This year, the devotion to La Chinita It is 315 years old and 82 years since its canonical coronation.
“The festivals always provide a reason to bring a message of catechesis, of spiritual renewal to our people of Chiquinquireño, not only to the people of Zulia-Marabino, but to everyone who is anywhere in the world who feels devotion to Our Lady. Chinita”stated Father Andrade.
This year, the patron saint festivities take place under the motto Chiquinquirá Path of Hope and Peace. The Archdiocese of Maracaibo also seeks to highlight the 125 years of the consecration of Venezuela to the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, which were completed in July. The celebrations “are inspired by this very relevant event and they want to continue transmitting it to the entire parish,” said the parish priest.
“We are the nation of the Blessed Sacrament and that must have very important connotations for all of us who believe in the Eucharist,” he added. Furthermore, he recalled that the Blessed Virgin was “the first tabernacle in history” and that She always leads us to Jesus. “She is a Eucharistic Mother,” he commented.
La Chinita in the middle of the Venezuelan reality
For Father Andrade, this is a key point of this year’s celebrations. After several complicated months for Venezuelan society on a social and political level, it is essential to imitate Mary, who always has her sights set on Jesus.
“The Christian always lives, thanks to faith in Our Lord, with a strength that comes from above, always seeking transcendence and looking at the things that happen without becoming discouraged,” he commented.
For 40 days, the people of Zulia, and all of Venezuela, will celebrate Our Lady of Chiquinquirá with Masses, processions, and music and food fairs. On November 18, the Apostolic Nuncio in Venezuela, Mons. Alberto Ortega Martín, will preside over the Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica.
“Jesus is the Prince of peace and He is the way, the truth and the life. On the cross he wanted Mary to also be an intercessory lawyer for us, especially in difficult times,” said Father Andrade.
“Mary fills us with that hope that comes to us from Him, she fills us with that strength of Her, so that we can find peace in the midst of adversity,” he added. And he concluded by inviting all the Venezuelan people to participate in the religious activities scheduled for the coming days.
Andres Henriquez
I have been a writer for ACI Prensa and a correspondent for EWTN since 2023. Since then, I have covered events in the Catholic Church in Venezuela and Latin America. I have more than 5 years of experience in bilingual media. Additionally, in Venezuela I have worked with non-governmental organizations in favor of freedom and respect for human rights in the country. I have been a member of the Regnum Christi Federation since 2014.