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Las Purisimas (Coverpage) by Edgardo Buitrago Buitrago. 2a ed. Managua, Nicaragua: PAVSA, 2010.
Country
Nicaragua
Description
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of Nicaragua and she is known alternatively as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of El Viejo, La Purisima or La Chinita. It is difficult to trace the origins of this image of Mary, although It is said to have been brought to America by a relative of St. Theresa of Ávila. Although there is no evidence, some have said it was the saint’s brother, Rodrigo de Cepeda Ahumada who was said to have carried the image around with him everywhere he went.
Ahumada, who had been appointed governor of a settlement called Chamulpa in the New World, landed in Central America at a port called Realejo in what is today Nicaragua, where he stayed at the Franciscan Mission. During his governorship, Chamulpa became known as El Viejo (the old man), in honor of Ahumada, who had built chapel in his house to place the image of Mary. He opened the chapel to the public, allowing others to come and venerate the image as well. When he was transferred to Perú, he planned on taking the image with him, however, the move was postponed on numerous occasions because of bad weather. He soon realized that it could be a sign from God to leave the Immaculate Conception of El Viejo in Nicaragua with those who had grown so fond of it. It remains there to this day.
Miraculous accounts are associated with the image down to the modern day. For example, in 1980 in the town Cuapa, Nicaragua, a man named Bernardo told of a time he had gone fishing and seeing sudden flashes of lighting, but no rain fell. The lighting continued to flash until finally an image appeared before him. He believed it to be the same statue in the chapel, but he then saw her blink. He continued to examine her realistic features, human-like skin, moving features and waving hair. She even responded to his questions, stating her name. The Virgin requested that he pray the rosary every day, not by rote, but with true feeling.
Though Nicaraguans celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception with the rest of the world on December 8, they have a particular devotion called Las Purísimas that they hold the night before. This festival involves food and fireworks and culminates with what is known as “La Gritería” or “the shouting,” when the faithful shout and cry out in celebration of the Virgin’s conception.
References:
Buitrago, Edgardo. Las Purísimas. Managua: PAVSA, 2010.
“Latin American Titles of Mary.” University of Dayton. Accessed April 12, 2024.
Redemptorist Pastoral Publication. Mary Throughout Latin America. Liguori: Liguori Publications, 2005.
Researched by Samuel D. White
Popular Devotions
On December the 8th a feast in celebrated for La Purisimas. The celebration last 8 days with each day representing something new.
Hail Mary
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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