Our Lady of Chaguaya, "Mamita de Tarija," patron of Tarija and of the diocese

Marian Advocation of Padcaya (Tarija)

La Virgin of Chaguaya is a Marian advocation venerated in the town of Chaguaya, about 67.5 km southwest of the city of Tarija, in the department of Tarija, Bolivia, within the diocese of Tarija. It is popularly known as “Mamita de Tarija” y es considered patrona de Tarija.

Main data

Origin and history

La Virgin of Chaguaya is a Marian advocation venerated in the town of Chaguaya, about 67.5 km southwest of the city of Tarija, in the department of Tarija, Bolivia, within the diocese of Tarija. It is popularly known as “Mamita de Tarija” y es considered patrona de Tarija.

According to the local traditionthe image of the Virgin would have miraculously appeared in the place, which is why the inhabitants raised the first chapel there for their veneration. The narration of this apparition is kept in key to Pious Legendwithout contemporary documentation to allow for the precise setting of historical circumstances.

As for the documented history, the sources place the image in the 18th century (about 1750). Over time, devotion spread in the region of Tarija, and the primitive sanctuary was replaced by later constructions. In the 1980s, the present sanctuary was built, which was later declared basilica, and was consolidated as a reference Marian pilgrimage centre in southern Bolivia.

> Note: the title belongs to Bolivia (department of Tarija); the mention of "Colombia" in some texts is a geographical error. The Virgin of Chaguaya should not be confused with Colombian Marian advocacy (for example, the Virgin of Chiquinquirá).

The image and the sanctuary

The sources indicate that the image of the Virgin of Chaguaya is an image of the Virgin Mary associated with the Assumptionwhose liturgical feast is held on August 15. It is venerated as an ancient image, dated around 1750but no detailed technical description (exact type of size, material or specific iconography) is available in the sources consulted. It is not safe for wood size, canvas or other technique: does not contain a complete documented iconographic description.

The place of worship is the Chaguaya Sanctuary, officially known as Sanctuary and Basilica of the Virgin of Chaguaya, located in the community of Chaguaya, municipality of Padcaya, province of Arce, diocese of Tarija. The present temple was built in the 1980s to host the growing number of pilgrims, and was later declared basilica, which indicates his special recognition within the Church, although the sources do not require the exact date of the decree of minor basilica.

The sanctuary has become a great center of popular devotion, with spaces suitable for the celebration of the Eucharist, the confession and the main expressions of Marian piety of the faithful who come all year round, but especially in the time of the great pilgrimage.

Sponsorship and coronation

La Virgin of Chaguaya is recognized as patrona de Tarija, and its devotional influence extends to the whole diocese of Tarija. In Tarija and its area of influence is invoked with special affection as “La Mamita” o "The Patron of Tarija".

On a canonical coronation, the sources consulted (including the main encyclopedic reference) do not explicitly mention a documented canonical coronation of the image. Therefore, following the criteria of historical and canonical rigour requested:

does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of the Virgin of Chaguaya is celebrated the August 15in the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Around that date, one of the most important manifestations of popular piety in southern Bolivia is deployed.

La great pilgrimage al santuario is performed approximately 14 / 15 August to 14 / 15 Septemberas the sources indicate: some texts indicate from 15 August to 14 September, others from 14 August to 15 September. In that period, a large number of faithful from the city of Tarija, from the Arce province and from nearby localities walk to the shrine of the Virgin.

A very characteristic feature of this devotion is the popular rite known as “paso por el manto”: The pilgrims pass under the cloak of the image, as a gesture of maternal reception and of confidence in the protection of Mary, a very eloquent expression of the Marian spirituality of the Taryño people. During the ninth and main days, the celebrations of the Eucharist, confessions, Marian songs and expressions of popular religiosity are multiplied. No detailed official figures are provided in the sources consulted, but the flow is described as very large and mass, with the participation of faithful from all over the region.

Link to the Rosary

In the specific sources on the Virgin of Chaguaya no consta una particular historical link or official title directly related to the Rosary (as is the case, for example, in explicitly called "Our Lady of the Rosary"). Therefore, there is no specific relationship with the prayer of the Rosary beyond the general practice of Marian piety.

However, in the context of devotion to the “Mamita de Tarija”, el Rosary In fact, it occupies a central place as a traditional Marian prayer of the pilgrims: it accompanies the walks to the sanctuary, the vigil and the novies around August 15, helping to contemplate, together with Mary, the mysteries of Christ's life. In particular, the party of the Assumption, which is typical of this advocation, is harmonically integrated into the glorious mysteries of the Rosary, inviting the faithful to meditate on the glorification of the Virgin and her intercession for the pilgrim Church.

Thus, even if there is no specific rosarian title attached to the Virgin of Chaguaya, the practice of Holy Rosary It is presented as a privileged way to live and deepen this devotion: it allows to unite the simple faith of the people of the West with the contemplation of Christ in the hand of Mary, in line with the spiritual tradition of the Church.