Our Lady of Copacabana, Patrona

Our Lady of Copacabana, Marian holy cards collection, ML. 031, circa 1675-2018. Marian Library,  University of Dayton Libraries, Dayton, Ohio.

Country

Bolivia

Description

The town of Copacabana sits on a peninsula on the shore of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.  In 1576, the image of Our Lady appeared to a group of fishermen during a horrible storm and saved them.  Francisco Tito Yupanqui was one of the fishermen that was saved by the Virgin, and in gratitude, he decided to create the statue of her based on his vision. Francisco's statuette of the Virgin Mary, has been housed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana since 1949. Francisco began working on the statue in 1581, but it took him months to complete his “labor of love.” The statue is about four feet tall, is covered in gold leaf and has jewels on her neck, ears, and hands.  She is dressed like an Incan Princess and her carved hair is normally always covered by a wig.

In 1668, the construction of the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana began at the foot of a small but steep hill and was not completed until the year 1805.  Once the Basilica was completed, people who were faithful to Our Lady of Copacabana donated their valuable jewels, gifts, treasures, and other valuables to the image.  Many made pilgrimage to visit the Basilica, which is also known as the Temple of the Sun, and came from very far away to show their appreciation for Our Lady of Copacabana.  The original image remains safely in the Basilica, because it is believed that if she is taken outside, then there is a chance that another horrible storm will occur.  So, whenever they need the image for processions, they use a copy of the statue. 

One of the oldest devotions in the Americas, Bolivians feel warmth and love for the Virgen of Copacabana.  When the Bolivians leave the shrine, they walk backwards because they do not want to turn their backs on her. There are many legends and practices tied to the image.  One of the most popular beliefs is that if you look at her and believe she is beautiful then you are in her favor.  But if you look at the statue and do not view her as beautiful then that means you have an ugly soul.  Miracles and cures have also been attributed to the Virgin of Copacabana for the rich, the poor, the mighty, and the lowly.

The faith that Bolivians have in the Virgin of Copacabana was a huge attribute when Bolivia gained their independence in the year 1825.  An interesting fact about the jewels and valuables that were donated to the Shrine of the Virgin is that the President of the Republic of Bolivia, Marshal Antonio Jose de Sucre, used them to make Bolivia’s first coins. In 1949, the image of the Virgin de Copacabana was crowned during the reign of Pope Pius XI.

A festival in honor of the Virgin is celebrated every year at the beginning of February, when people travel from all over the world to Lake Titicaca in order to honor her.  The fishing village celebrates with music, eating, dancing, drinking, and it is a time when they practice their Catholic traditions together.  The Fiesta lasts three days and the festivities are celebrated with colorful costumes, traditional Aymara dances, the blessing of new vehicles by priests with beer, and running of the bulls that stampede through the Yampupata road.

The Virgin of Copacabana is the patron saint of Bolivia and the Bolivian Navy.  The Virgin de Copacabana is also known as the Dark Virgin of the Lake, Patroness of Bolivia, the Copacabana Virgin, Queen of Bolivia, La Coyeta, and Virgin of Candelaria.

References:

1. Ochoa, Danny. “Festival of the Virgen de La Candelaria, Copacabana.” Bolivian Life (blog). November 21, 2014.

2. “Our Lady of Copacabana.” Roman Catholic Saints. Accessed April 11, 2024.

3. “Virgen de Copacabana.” Wikipedia. March 8, 2024.

Researched by Abigail A. Schaefer

Popular Devotions

Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo. 

Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres. 

Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús. 

Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores, 

ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.

Amen.

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