Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, Patrona

Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquirá , Marian holy cards collection ML.031 Box 22, circa 1675-2018. Marian Library, University of Dayton Libraries, Dayton, Ohio.

Country

Columbia

Description

The painting of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá was painted in the mid-16th century by a Spanish painter called Alonso de Narváez who used pigments from the soil, herbs and flowers found in the region of Columbia. He also created his art on a cloth canvas woven by local Indians. In the painting of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, Mary stands on half of the moon. Her facial features reveal a small, soft, and sweet smile. Mary’s face is light are light colored. So is the face of baby Jesus, which she holds. Our Lady wears a white toque (a type of small hat), a rose-colored robe, and a light blue cape. There is a rosary hanging from Mary’s left pinky.

Our Lady also holds a scepter in her right hand. She holds the Christ Child cradled in her left arm. Baby Jesus has a little bird tied to His thumb, as well as a rosary in His left hand. At Our Lady’s sides are St. Anthony of Padua and St. Andrew the Apostle. Legend says that in 1562 the portrait was placed in a chapel with a damaged roof. The roof leaked so the humidity, air and sun damaged the painting to the point where it was impossible to recognize Our Lady. In 1577 the damaged painting was moved to Chiquinquirá and abandoned, left in a room to be found eight years later by María Ramos, a woman from Seville who refurbished the chapel.

Tradition has it that a miraculous restoration of the painting occurred on Friday, December 26, 1586, which repaired the scratches and holes in the cloth. The faded image was restored with color and light and the image was thus recovered.  Our Lady is venerated all over South America, but her feast day in Columbia is July 9.

Reference:

1. “Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá.” Wikipedia. March 12, 2018.

Researched by Aneudy De Jesus

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.