The Virgin of Coromoto
Venezuelans celebrate their festival three times a year, on February 2 and September 8 and 11.
The indigenous people who lived in Guanare (Venezuela), with the arrival of the Spanish in 1591, fled to the jungle, north of the city. Since then, foreign civilizers waited for decades for the tribe to come down from the mountains so that they could take part in learning the cultivation of the fields and Christian doctrine. But that seemed almost impossible to happen.
One day at the beginning of the year 1651, in the gorge of the Tucupido river, on the current of the waters, the cacique (Chief of the Tribe) together with his wife and other Indians contemplated in amazement the image of a Beautiful Woman with a child in her arms . The woman told the Cacique in her language: “Get out of the forest together with yours and go to the whites so that they pour water on their heads and they can go up to Heaven.” The Virgin was referring to the Cacique gathering his tribe and going to the whites to receive baptism.
The cacique, impressed by what he had seen and heard, decided to obey the Beautiful Woman. Coincidentally, a Spaniard named Juan Sánchez was passing by and the Cacique told him what had happened. Juan Sánchez made available to the Cacique some land that he had obtained years before, through which a ravine called Coromoto passed, about 5 leagues from Guanare. In this way, the Cacique could distribute these lands among his tribe so that the Cospes Indians would give their consent to live there and become Christians.
After several months in Coromoto, the Indians received Baptism except for the Cacique, whom the devil made him dislike religion and tempted him to return to the jungle. The Cacique’s silence and anger increased every day. He felt unhappy. It was with this state of mind that he arrived at his bohío on September 8, 1652, and without saying a word to anyone he slept on his barbecue.
The sun hid and gave way to night. Suddenly, the threshold of the hut was illuminated by a dazzling light that enveloped the Beautiful Woman of the ravine. His wife, his sister-in-law Isabel and his nephew Juan were present. Seeing her, the Cacique asked her to leave. Instead, the virgin came closer to her, so the Cacique pounced on Ella to take her by the arm and throw her out of her. At that moment, the interior of the hut was in darkness. “Here I have it!” said the Cacique in a tone of fury and triumph. The two intrigued women ask him to see the Beautiful Woman, it was then when the Cacique, in the dim light of the stove, opened his hand and they saw in a very small image the portrait of the Beautiful Woman that radiated light rays.
The boy Juan, saddened by the Cacique’s behavior, went secretly to tell Juan Sánchez what had happened. He, along with two of his companions, went to the Cacique’s hut and retrieved the precious relic. Juan Sánchez, receiving it from the child’s hands, felt deep emotion, because he recognized in her the Mother of God, and respectfully placed her in a silver reliquary that he used to wear around his neck. The next day (September 9) the Cacique set out to return to the jungle but was bitten by a snake a short distance from the town.
The Cacique, seeing himself in danger of death, repented and cried out to be baptized, a sacrament that was administered to him by a Christian who passed through the place. The Cacique recommended that the Indians stay with the whites and he died. As a consequence of this, the Cospes Indians formed a very fervent community of faithful. Returning to his home in Soropo, Juan Sánchez placed Our Lady of Coromoto on an altar, where she remained until February 1, 1654.
On October 7, 1944, Pope Pius XII declared her “Patron of the Republic of Venezuela” and her canonical coronation was celebrated three centuries after her appearance, in 1952.
Today, near Guanare (Portuguesa state), in the place of the second apparition, a beautiful temple was built, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Coromoto, which was consecrated on January 7, 1996, and inaugurated with the solemn Eucharist presided over by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, on February 10, 1996.
Venezuelans celebrate their festival three times a year, on February 2 and September 8 and 11.
Prayer to the Virgin of Coromoto
O Virgin of Coromoto! In your hands I place this plea (such an intention, such a need). Bless her. Present it to the Heart of Jesus. Assert your love as a Mother and your power as a Queen. O Maria! I count on your help. I trust in your power. I surrender to your will. I am sure of your mercy. Mother of God and my Mother! Pray for me. Take me to the Heart of Jesus.
Bless us Blessed Mother
Cover us with your Mantle My Mother
Prayer of Saint John Paul II to Our Lady of Coromoto
Guanare, February 10, 1996
Our Virgin and Mother of Coromoto, who have always preserved the faith of the Venezuelan people. In your hands I place their joys and hopes, the sadness and suffering of all your children. Implore Bishops and Priests for the gifts of the Spirit, so that, faithful to their priestly promises, they may be tireless messengers of the Good News, especially among the poorest and most needy. Instill in the religious men and women the example of your total dedication to God, so that in selfless service to the brothers you accompany them in their work and needs. Mother of the Church, encourage the lay faithful, committed to the New Evangelization, so that, with human promotion and the evangelization of culture, they may be authentic apostles in the Third Millennium. Protect all Venezuelan families, so that they may be true domestic Churches, where the treasure of faith and life is guarded, where fraternal charity is always taught and practiced. Help Catholics to be salt and light for others, as authentic witnesses of Christ, saving presence of the Lord, source of peace, joy, and hope. Queen and Holy Mother of Coromoto, she enlightens those who govern the destinies of Venezuela, so that they work for the progress of all, safeguarding Christian moral and social values. Help each and every one of your sons and daughters, so that, with Christ Our Lord and Brother, they walk together towards the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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