Our Lady of Bethlehem of St. Matthew, head of the Aragua state

Marian Invocation of St. Matthew (Aragua)

La Virgen de Belén de San Mateo is a Marian advocation venerated in the people of San Mateo, Aragua state, Venezuela, within the Diocese of Maracay. Although the user mentions "department of Aragua, Colombia," the ecclesial and civil sources agree that this sanctuary and this advocation are in San Mateo, Aragua State, Venezuela.

Main data

Origin and history

La Virgen de Belén de San Mateo is a Marian advocation venerated in the people of San Mateo, Aragua state, Venezuela, within the Diocese of Maracay. Although the user mentions "department of Aragua, Colombia," the ecclesial and civil sources agree that this sanctuary and this advocation are in San Mateo, Aragua State, Venezuela.

Tradition and legend: According to the tradition collected by the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference and the diocese, the Virgin would have "appeared" the 26 November 1709 in San Mateo. Indigenous Tomás José Purino, working with an axe on a trunk in the courtyard of his house, he noticed that the earth was rising at every blow to form a prominence with a hole in the center. He called his wife. Ines, and they both looked at how a tiny image of the Virgin, "the size of a vellon coin," appeared from the small hole, sitting on a moon and holding the Child Jesus. They took her home, placed her in an improvised altar, and soon the place became a place of prayer and miracles, spreading the fame of the "Virgin of Bethlehem" throughout the valley of Aragua. The name "Bethlehem" was given to it by its likeness with a Marian advocation coming from Spain, associated with the mystery of Nativity.

Documented history: Devotion has been attested to since at least the 18th century in the Aragua region, although the first precise documents cited in current sources refer mainly to the 20th century. In the decade of 1920 was built the current Sanctuary of the Virgin of Bethlehem in the place marked by tradition as a place of apparition. The blessing of the sanctuary took place the 26 November 1926, chaired by the Archbishop of Caracas, Felipe Rincón González. Later, the Archbishop of Caracas decreed, the 10 November 1927, la Archidiocesan coronation of the image. Over time, devotion was consolidated as one of the most important in central Venezuela, and the worship of Our Lady of Bethlehem became a religious and cultural reference point for the Aragua state.

The image and the sanctuary

The image: The sources describe the original image as a small size mariana, de very small dimensions ("the size of a vellon coin"), in which Mary appears sitting down, con la half moon under his feet and holding the Child Jesus on his lap. It is therefore an iconography that combines features of the Immaculate (moon under feet) with the mystery of Belén, highlighted by the visible presence of the Child. Some popular sources point out that the title of "Bethlehem" is precisely linked to the fact that the Virgin holds the Child in her lap. The specific material (wood, plaster or other) is not expressly recorded in the sources consulted; therefore, the original material of the size is not safely recorded.

The sanctuary / temple: The image is venerated today in the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Bethlehem, integrado en la St. Matthew the Apostle parish of the Diocese of Maracay. The sanctuary was built in the decade of 1920 y bendecido el 26 November 1926. It is a relatively small temple, described as a "small but magnificent sanctuary," located in front of the Plaza Bolívar in San Mateo, on Aparición Streetin the central town. It is under the responsibility of Diócesis de Maracaywhich expressly recognizes it as Sanctuary of the Patron of Aragua and place of pilgrimage and thanksgiving. It is not recorded in the sources consulted which have the title of minor basilica ni de National sanctuary; is presented above all as diocesan sanctuary.

Sponsorship and coronation

Patronage: Our Lady of Bethlehem is recognized as head of the Aragua state. Since ancient times the devotional tradition of the people had invoked her as a patron, but this civil recognition was consolidated when, in 2004Aragua's regional government officially declared it Status pattern and fourth entity symbol. She is also a patron of the people of San Mateo and a significant reference for all the Diócesis de Maracaythat celebrates it in a special way.

Coronation: The sources distinguish two moments:

– El 10 November 1927the Archbishop of Caracas decreed the Archidiocesan coronation de la imagen de Nuestra Señora de Belén, atendiendo a la petición del párroco de San Mateo y de los fieles del valle de Aragua. – Posteriormente, tras la solicitud elevada en 1962 por Mons. José Ali Lebrún y Mons. Feliciano Gonzálezthe first and second bishops of Maracay, the Canonical coronation el 31 January 1965.

The sources expressly point out that this is a canonical coronation recognized by the ecclesial authority, made in response to the "growing devotional development of the people of Aragua towards the Virgin of Bethlehem." The name of the specific pontifical delegate is not indicated in the references consulted; therefore, does not clearly contain the name of the pontifical delegate in the canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

Date of party: La main party of Our Lady of Bethlehem in St. Matthew is celebrated the 26 November, date commemorating the apparition or finding of the image in 1709. This is the date that the Diócesis de Maracay y la Conferencia Episcopal Venezolana they point out as Aragua's patron's day.

Celebrations, novenas and pilgrimages: On 26 November a novena in the sanctuary and in the parish of St. Matthew the Apostle. The party concentrates a remarkable influx of pilgrims coming from various towns in the Aragua state and other regions, to pay tribute to the Patron, to pay promises and to ask for favors. They are done organized pilgrims and pilgrimagessome on foot or by caravan, which end in the sanctuary with the celebration of the solemn Mass and the procession of the image through the streets of the people.

Devotion is manifested in simple and very deep-rooted signs: candles, flowers, vows, fulfilled promises and a strong awareness of regional belonging to the Virgin of Bethlehem, recognized as the spiritual symbol of Aragua. diocesan and regional media emphasize that few places in the country have a religious event with so much historical continuity and both popular roots and devotion to Our Lady of Bethlehem in St. Matthew.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted on the Virgin of Bethlehem of St. Matthew highlight above all the hallazgo milagċ@@the sanctuary and the coronation, but do not explicitly mention a unique practice or association with the prayer of the Rosary (for example, specific co-fradies of the Rosary linked to this advocation or a feast of the Rosary). Therefore, there is no specific historical relationship with the Rosary beyond ordinary Marian devotion.

However, in a Marian sanctuary like that of Our S