Schedule of celebrations for Our Lady of Chiquinquirá announced in Maracaibo

The Archdiocese of Maracaibo, in Venezuela, announced the schedule of activities related to the celebration on November 18 of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, patron saint of the state of Zulia.

For 8 days—from November 11 to 18—the “La Chinita” Fair, as the Virgin of Chiquinquirá is affectionately known, is celebrated in the city. These days, the Marabinos pay tribute to their patron saint with Masses, processions and Rosaries; but also with parties and the famous “Amaneceres gaiteros”, marathon concerts to wait for the day of the Virgin.

In a press conference held this October 14, the rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, Fr. Nedward Andrade, accompanied by representatives of the Religious Society Servants of Mary, announced the schedule of activities that will be carried out under the motto “ Chiquinquirá Path of Hope and Peace. 125 years dedicated to his son!”

This year’s patron saint festivities are framed in the celebration of the 125 years of the consecration of Venezuela to the Blessed Sacrament. Father Andrade invited all the Chiquinquieño people to renew their commitment to this consecration, to strengthen their faith, to live in coherence with the values ​​of the Gospel and to work for a more just, prosperous and supportive Venezuela.

“We will not only celebrate the 315 years of miraculous renewal (of the image of the Virgin), but also the 82 years of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá and the 125 years of the Consecration of Venezuela to the Blessed Sacrament,” he stated.

As every year, the patron saint of the Zulians will begin her festivities with the traditional descent that will take place next Saturday, October 26 in the Basilica square, an event in which thousands of Zulians will witness how the Mother of God descends from her niche to reconnect with his flock in the midst of prayers.

In addition, the archdiocese’s press team revealed the logo that will accompany the celebrations, which features a monstrance in the center “that evokes the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist that invites us to worship him with love and reverence.” Likewise, they reported that the cloaks that the image of the Virgin will use will be unveiled on October 20.

The Virgin of Chiquinquirá in Maracaibo

The tradition of devotion to La Chinita in the state of Zulia dates back to the year 1709. Since then, the marabinos not only dedicate these days of November to their patron saint, but also entrust their entire lives to her.

The story goes that on November 18 of that year, a group of women were washing clothes on the shores of Lake Maracaibo, when in the middle of their work one of them saw a small wooden board floating among the waves.

The lady’s name was María Cárdenas, who took it, took it to her house and used it to cover a jar. Then, while cleaning it, he realized it was a religious image and hung it on the wall.

One day, knocks were heard in Cárdenas’ house and a flash of light emerged from the altarpiece that illuminated the entire place. The old woman went out into the street shouting “Miracle, miracle!” Then all the neighbors arrived and saw the image of a mestizo Virgin.

The Virgin was taken to the old hermitage of San Juan de Dios, built in 1686. Today the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá stands there.