Ninth to the Virgen del Carmen joins the history, culture and spirituality of Chileans

Chile prepares to live the great party dedicated to its mother and Patroness, Our Lady of Carmen, which is celebrated on July 16. Within that framework, the Directorate of Pastoral and Christian culture of the Catholic University of Chile (UC) elaborated a novena to invite the community to join in prayer and hope.

This is the first initiative of this type that arises from this direction, with the purpose of rescuing the historical and spiritual roots of Chile, reflecting the narrow link between them through reflections, biblical quotes, songs, requests and spiritual texts that highlight the role of the Virgin in the history of Chile.

The prayer of the novena begins on July 7, culminating on 15, eve of the party, and the material is available for free and in digital format.

The introduction to the ninth was written by Fr. Jorge Merino, major chaplain of the UC, who states: “The objective of this novena is not only to commemorate a tradition, but to open a specific space of personal encounter with Maria.”

In that sense, remember that “Mary, the mother of the Lord, is for us the light that illuminates us on the road. As indicated by our flag, where the star symbolizes the Virgin, the lighthouse that guides Chile.”

A devotion story

The devotion to the Virgen del Carmen began in the Chilean territory in the 16th century, by the hand of the first settlers, and then consecrated as a national symbol. So it is that, in 1817, the Liberating Army appointed her her employer, and it was after the victory in the battle of Maipú that the votive temple dedicated to it was built.

The Virgen del Carmen was officially proclaimed Patroness of Chile in 1923 by Pope Pius XI, and three years later his pontifical coronation was held.

“His image is present in many homes, churches, public places and, especially, in the heart of many Chileans and Chileans,” says P. Merino. “Therefore, we wanted to encourage the prayer of this novena and promote this devotion so linked to the Catholic roots of our nation.”

The Patroness figure also had relevance for the soldiers who battled in the Pacific War. Arturo Prat, known as the “Maximum Naval Hero” of Chile, carried the scapular of the Virgen del Carmen at the time of his death in Iquique, which was later returned to his widow.

The proposal seeks to connect history, faith and actuality. To do this, every day of the novena contemplates an initial prayer and an end, the reading of a biblical passage, a reflection, a request and a song.

Likewise, it is intended to rescue the “Charity, Refuge of Fishermen and Star of the Sea” which is the Virgin Mary, who guides, comforts and accompanies.

“We see the Virgen del Carmen dressed in her brown habit and with the Child Jesus in her arms, which refers us to maternal love, to the protection she gives us especially in times of greater storms,” ​​describes the chaplain.

At present, where war continues to threaten many places on the planet, this novena remembers the peace message of the Virgin.

Chile’s mother

One of the badges of this novena is the intention of reflecting how Marian devotion intertwines the history, culture and spirituality of the country.

In the center of the Cruz de Chile, for example, the White Star that represents the Virgen del Carmen, a symbol of faith and hope for the Chilean people. This sign expresses “the desire to build a nation animated by faith and justice.”

Also the scapular – set by the Virgin to San Simón Stock in 1251 – remains today a sign of consecration, faith and confidence in their maternal protection. Taken with devotion, it represents a commitment to Christian life, marked by prayer and service.

Those who wish to join the prayer of the novena can download the material in this link: https://pastoral.uc.cl/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NOVENA-VIRGEN-DEL-CARMEN.pdf