Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba, patron of the valley of Locumba

Marian Invocation of Locumba (Tacna)

No specific and reliable sources have been found on a different title Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba in Colombia; what is clear is the strong devotion to Our Lady of Copacabana, native to the sanctuary of Copacabana on the peninsula of Lake Titicaca (today in Bolivia), whose feast is celebrated 2 February (Candelaria) y el 5 August. This advocation, born in the 16th century in Collao, soon expanded to other countries of America (among them Perú y Colombia) carried out by migration and missions, especially from the altiplanic field.

Main data

Origin and history

No specific and reliable sources have been found on a different title Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba in Colombia; what is clear is the strong devotion to Our Lady of Copacabana, native to the sanctuary of Copacabana on the peninsula of Lake Titicaca (today in Bolivia), whose feast is celebrated 2 February (Candelaria) y el 5 August. This advocation, born in the 16th century in Collao, soon expanded to other countries of America (among them Perú y Colombia) carried out by migration and missions, especially from the altiplanic field.

The tradition of Copacabana states that the original image was sculpted by the indigenous Francisco Tito Yupanqui and that his arrival at the sanctuary of Copacabana is located 2 February 1583, date considered as the origin of the cult organized in the region of Titicaca. From this focus, numerous replicas and images derived from different peoples were developed, some of them associated with migrants from the altiplano that led to devotion to new valleys and cities; this general expansion is documented, but there are no specific documented data on the foundation of a Copacabana shrine in Locumba (Tacna) with its own historical detail..

In the plan of the documented history, what is verifiable is that the advocation of Our Lady of Copacabana is among the oldest Marian shrines in America and that their cult spread from Bolivia to Colombia and Peru. On the other hand, for the specific case of "Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba, patron of the valley of Locumba" and its origin in a supposed Copacabanino sanctuary in Peruvian territory founded by migrants of the Titicaca, no specific documents, dates or studies supporting it are found in accessible and reliable sources. In the absence of such data, it should be strictly stated: there is not sufficient documented historical information about the precise origin of this advocation in Locumba.

The image and the sanctuary

The sources consulted describe in detail the original image of Our Lady of Copacabana of Lake Titicacabut do not provide a specific description of a unique and differentiated image in Locumba. The original image - a model of many copies - is known to be a escultura de bulto tallada en Maguey wood, totally Laminated in fine goldthat represents Mary with antelope, dressed like Inca princess, holding the Child Jesus on his left arm and, in his right hand, a basket y un control staff. This allows us to assume that, in a possible sanctuary of Copacabana in the valley of Locumba, the local image would follow the Andean iconographic style of the Virgin of Copacabana, but does not contain an official description of the type, material or iconographic details of the image venerated in Locumba.

As for the temple, the sources identify the great original sanctuary as the Basilica and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Copacabanaon the Copacabana peninsula, on the banks of Lake Titicaca, whose current construction dates from 1805and that it was erected in basilica in 1949. However, a clear and documented reference to the "Church of Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba" in Locumba (Tacna) has not been found in the sources consulted with specific recognition as national sanctuary, diocesan or minor basilica. Therefore, from a documentary point of view, it can only be said that devotion to Copacabana has given rise to numerous temples and images in several countries, including Peru and Colombia, but no detailed information on the canon status and architectural characteristics of the specific temple of Locumba.

Sponsorship and coronation

At the general level, it is strongly documented that Our Lady of Copacabana is Patron of Bolivia and that their veneration has spread with great importance in different countries of the Americas. Some Bolivian institutions (National Police, Naval Force) have also proclaimed her own patron.

For the specific case of patronazgo del valle de Locumbathe accessible sources do not record explicitly and officially (by ecclesiastical decree or civil document) that "Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba" has been proclaimed patron of the valley with a documented act. In the absence of verifiable sources, it should be clearly stated: does not contain, in the sources consulted, an officially documented patronage for this advocation in the valley of Locumba.

As for the canonical coronation, it is well attested that Copacabana's original image was crowned as Queen of the Nation el 1 August 1925by the Pope's Apostolic Brief Pío XIwithin the framework of the first centenary of Bolivia's independence. Instead, for the so-called image of Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba, does not contain a documented canonical coronation (neither by Pontifical Decree nor by delegated execution of the Holy See or the local ordinary which can be verified in available sources).

Party and devotion

La main party of the apvocation of Copacabana, according to the tradition of the sanctuary of the Titicaca, the 5 Augustand also solemnly commemorates the 2 February (Feast of the Virgin of the Candelaria or Purification of Mary). This double festive date has spread where devotion to Copacabana has been assumed, and it is reasonable to think that the celebrations of the 2 February / 5 August In Locumba they are directly inspired by this liturgical calendar; however, no specific data on processions, pilgrimages or numbers of assistants of the Locumba valley are recorded in the sources consulted.

In the original sanctuary of Copacabana there are numerous pilgrimages and devotional customs, such as the practice of leaving the temple walking back so as not to turn your back on the Virgin. The altiplanic sanctuary is described as one of the oldest and most frequented in America, with a large influx of faithful and popular celebrations including processions, offerings, songs and traditional dances. However, in relation to Cobba, no detailed descriptions of the popular traditions of their own have been found (local romanias, dances, specific novenas, etc.)and should therefore be strictly noted: no documented data on the particular forms of devotion to Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba beyond the generic reference to shared festive dates (2 February and 5 August).

Link to the Rosary

The historical sources on Our Lady of Copacabana of the Titicaca do not explicitly mention a unique practice of the Rosary It is a Marian sanctuary where various expressions of popular piety (processions, pilgrimages, offerings) are celebrated, common to many Marian shrines in the region. Therefore, there is no specific, historically documented link between the advocation of Our Lady of Copacabana of Locumba and a particular form of prayer of the Rosary.

However, from a mariological and pastoral perspective, the Rosary This devotion naturally accompanies. The Virgin of Copacabana, venerated as Candelaria (2 February) and as Mother and Queen (August 5), highlights the mysteries of the Incarnation, la presentation of the Child Jesus y la hidden life of Nazarethall of them referred to in the