Santoral today September 8: Our Lady of the Valley

In many places, the Mother of God is celebrated on September 8 under the dedication of Our Lady of the Valley, patron saint of sailors and fishermen, as well as of the Venezuelan Navy.

Also in Eastern Venezuela she is recognized as a patron saint. She is venerated with special affection in the states of Nueva Esparta, Anzoátegui, Monagas, Sucre, Delta Amacuro and Bolívar. Likewise, she has devotees in Argentina, where she is known as the Black Virgin.

Strong roots

The devotion to Our Lady of the Valley originated after the arrival in Venezuela of an image of the Virgin in the hands of some Spaniards. It was first located on the Island of Cubagua – the smallest of the three that make up the Venezuelan state of Nueva Esparta. The image was called “La Purísima”.

After a hurricane hit the island in 1542, the image was found without suffering any damage and was taken to Margarita Island, specifically to El Valle del Espíritu Santo. Margarita was larger and more populated than Cubagua, and it was there that she was renamed “Virgen del Valle”.

Today her faithful devotees affectionately call her “Vallita”.

A people united around the Mother

In the days before the feast of the Virgin, Venezuelans usually pray a novena. On September 8, a procession is held in the town that received it for the first time and a Mass is celebrated in which all the bishops of the eastern part of the country gather.

“Our Lady of the Valley is for the natives in the east of the national territory, an icon of faith for whom special respect is shown, since it is part of the most deeply rooted customs and traditions in the region,” can be read on the website of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV).

She – the text continues – “reminds Venezuelans that Jesus has left for everyone a Mother who does not forget any of her children, and who answers even the most humble of prayers made in her name.”