Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga, venerated in the sanctuary of the Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga

Marian Advocation of Sapallaga (Junín)

La Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga is a venerated Marian advocation in the district of Sapallaga, province of Huancayo, in the Mantaro valley, Junín region, Peru, linked to the ancient Andean devotion of the Virgin of Cocharcas of Apurímac.

Main data

Origin and history

La Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga is a venerated Marian advocation in the district of Sapallaga, province of Huancayo, in the Mantaro valley, Junín region, Peru, linked to the ancient Andean devotion of the Virgin of Cocharcas of Apurímac.

Tradition and legend: According to the tradition collected in local chronicles and in the synthesis presented by the entry "Virgen de Sapallaga," the image would have appeared in Cocharcas, in a spring at the foot of a hill, demonstrating to three pastors from the area. It is reported that, in trying to move it to the church, the image could not be raised by many men, until they began parades, dances and comparisons; a picture called los carachaquis, composed mostly of children, he would have rejoiced the Virgin, who smiled and at that time could be taken in steps to the church of Sapallaga between songs and prayers. Another part of the legend indicates that a A mast would have marked the fate of the image, flying from the spring to the parent church of Sapallaga, where today it is venerated. Healing properties are also attributed to manantial contiguous to the capillawhose water, of pleasant taste, would be effective against certain evils, alternating cycles of seven years of abundance and seven years of drought.

Documented history: The available sources point out that this devotion is a replica andina of the famous Virgin of Cocharcas of Apurímac, introduced and consolidated in the Mantaro valley as one of the first Marian cults of the central and southern Andean regions, associated with the agricultural calendar and the preparation of the planting grounds. The party is already firmly established as the main Catholic celebration of the Sapallaga district, involving much of its population. The official declaration of the "Feast of the Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga" as a relevant expression of local culture is contained in resolutions on intangible heritage cited in local chronicles. In the sources consulted, there is no exact date for the establishment of the veneration in Sapallanga or of documents of colonial times specific to this image; therefore, the early historical development beyond these general references no consta Precisely.

The image and the sanctuary

The image venerated as Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga is an Andean-type Marian representation, linked iconographically to the Virgin of Prumeña, although the technical details (exact material, author, date of size) no constan in the sources consulted. The tradition presents it as a processional image carried in walks in the great celebrations of September, strongly associated with the folklore dances and prints that accompany its cult.

The main place of veneration is the Iglesia Matriz de Sapallangawhere the image is preserved and from whose frontis the greetings to the Virgin are made and the central procession is started on the day of the feast. In addition, the Grotto de la Virgen de Cocharcas in Cocharcas (spring area), where the "apparition" is recorded according to local tradition. No reference has been found to this temple having the title of minor basilica or recognition as National sanctuary; the sources of tourism and the municipalities present it, rather, as iglesia matriz del distrito and local sanctuary of strong devotional irradiation in the Mantaro valley. Therefore, the condition of sanctuary is understood at the level parochial / diocesanwithout mention of a specific decree: a "sanctuary of the Virgin of Cocharcas" in Sapallaga, but without the rank of a documented national sanctuary.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Virgin of Cocharcas is recognized as patron of the district of Sapallanga and, in practice, as one of the main Marian devotions of the diocese of Huancayo. The regional press speaks of the Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga as “patrona del Valle del Mantaro”given the enormous influence of his feast and the influx of pilgrims from all over the region.

As for coronations, in the documentation consulted (chronicles, municipal notes, tourism, press and encyclopedic synthesis) does not contain a documented canonical coronation of the Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga, neither by a Pontifical Decree nor by a delegate of the Pope. No date, pontiff or specific liturgical act of canonical coronation is mentioned, so this data cannot be affirmed rigorously.

Party and devotion

La main party of the Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga is celebrated around the September 8, central day, within a wide holiday program that extends from 6-19 September según las programaciones recientes. Las actividades incluyen: – Gran pilgrimage desde la Catedral de Huancayo hasta la Iglesia Matriz de Sapallanga (iniciando la festividad, el 6 de septiembre en las programaciones recientes). – Scenification of the apparition de la Virgen en la Gruta de Cocharcas, generalmente el 7 de septiembre. – El September 8, central day: solemn mass in the morning, popular tribute with orchestras and bands, and the procesión principal of the image through the streets of the district.

Devotion mobilizes a very high number of faithful: more talk about 20 000 visitors in traditional descriptions, and up to 120 000 visitors planned in some recent years, including pilgrims from the country and from abroad. The party is an important part of the folkloric dances of the Mantaro valley and the Andean central region: chonguinada, black, Apu Inca, Avellinos, Calachaqui, tunantada, Collas, among others, many of them declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Within the programme, competitive examinations are held folk prints and of bands, as well as the traditional major and minor priostes, who organize the party and the reception of the thousands of visitors.

The devotion extends beyond the central day with celebrations in the Grotto of Cocharcas and in annexes such as Milcháa (Festival of the Camilles), which underlines the character peasant and pilgrim of this invocation, closely linked to the agricultural calendar and the cultural identity of the Mantaro valley.

Link to the Rosary

The specific sources on the Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga do not specify a particular and explicit link with the Rosary prayeras could be the case in directly titled "of the Rosary" or with formally erected rosarian copradies; in the documents consulted this data no consta.

However, because of its nature as a marcan sanctuary popular and by the centrality of the Eucharist, the processions and practices of piety around the Virgin, it is reasonable to place this devotion within the common Marian spirituality of the Church, in which the Holy Rosary is one of the main forms of prayer. In Andean contexts such as Sapallaga, the Rosary often accompanies pilgrimages, novies prior to the feast and processions, helping to meditate on the mysteries of Christ's life from the hand of Mary, while the people express their faith through songs, dances and promises. Thus, even if there is no specific documentary mention, the Rosary can be considered a privileged road to live within the devotion to the Virgin of Cocharcas of Sapallaga, integrating