Our Lady of Cotoca, patron of the department of Santa Cruz

Marian title of Cotoca (Santa Cruz)

La Virgin of Cotoca is a Marian advocation originating in the town of Cotoca, department of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, where you veneration as Patronage of the Bolivian East. There are no documented signs of an original cult in Colombia under this name; the advocation is in itself Bolivian. The image dates in general on the 18th centurywithin the context of the evangelization and population of the cross-border region.

Main data

Origin and history

La Virgin of Cotoca is a Marian advocation originating in the town of Cotoca, department of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, where you veneration as Patronage of the Bolivian East. There are no documented signs of an original cult in Colombia under this name; the advocation is in itself Bolivian. The image dates in general on the 18th centurywithin the context of the evangelization and population of the cross-border region.

Tradition and legend. Devotional sources and popular tradition agree that the image was miraculously found on the mountain, vinculada a la bark or the trunk of a tree. It is spoken of farmers who, at the end of the 18th century, would have discovered the presence of the Virgin in the bark of the tree, interpreting the finding as a supernatural sign. Other versions mention unjustly accused slaves who, through the intercession of the Virgin, obtain their release, which reinforces the protective character of this advocation, especially to the poorest and suffering. These narrations belong to the Pious tradition and cannot be documented with historical accuracy.

Documented history. What is more certain is that, as early as the 18th century, there was a small image of the Immaculate which was the subject of growing regional veneration, until it was recognized as Patronage of the Bolivian East. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Cotoca shrine was consolidated as an important center of pilgrimages and Marian devotion, with influence that extends to the entire department of Santa Cruz and other areas of Bolivia.

The image and the sanctuary

The image of the Virgin of Cotoca is described as a carved and polychrome wood statuettesmall, made towards the 18th century. It is presented under the title of the Purple / Immaculate Conception, con vestiduras de blue and white, covered by a gold layer, following the classical iconography of the Immaculate: Mary standing, with a praying or collected attitude, associated with purity and victory over sin. Su find is considered miraculous por los devotos.

The main place of worship is the Pure Temple Conception of the Virgin Mary, in the town of Cotoca, commonly known as Sanctuary of the Virgin of Cotoca. This is a Marian sanctuary of great importance to the Church in Bolivia, with infrastructure adapted to receive many pilgrims, and with pastoral care entrusted to the Sunday religious (Order of Preachers). It was declared sanctuary by the Pope Pius XII by document pontificio el 6 May 1953, consolidating their official recognition as a place of pilgrimage and Marian devotion. (A secondary source mentions 1976, but the Catholic press specifies 1953 as the date of the sanctuary declaration, which is considered more reliable).

Sponsorship and coronation

La Pure Virgin of Cotoca is officially venerated as “Patrona del Oriente Boliviano” and, in particular, as a patron of the and the village of Cotoca and the city and department of Santa Cruz. Devotion is deeply rooted in the religious identity of so-called "cruises," which are recognized under the protection of this advocation.

As for a canonical coronation of the image, in the sources consulted (Wikipedia, Catholic press, devotional materials and sanctuary reviews) does not contain a documented canonical coronation (with precise date and pontifical or explicit diocesan decree). Solemn coronations of a local or diocesan nature may exist, but there are no verifiable online data on a formal canonical coronation with a clearly recorded date and pontifical delegate.

Party and devotion

La main party of the Virgin of Cotoca is celebrated the 8 December, coinciding with the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The tradition includes a Octava que culmina el 15 December, popularly known as the "recova, "so that the holiday period extends from late November to mid-December. Some reviews indicate that the "Festivals of the Cotoca" cover approximately 26 November-15 Decemberwith various religious and popular acts.

During these days, thousands of faithful go on pilgrimage to the sanctuary. Some sources estimate that more than 200,000 people they arrive on pilgrimage around the party, especially on the eve of December 8. The romerías a pie from Santa Cruz de la Sierra to Cotoca, the misas solemnes, novenas, processions with the image and gestures of thanks for favors received. Devotion is characterized by a marked sense of subsidiary trustby the request for protection for families, work and land, and by the strong popular dimension of the feast, which combines religious and cultural expressions specific to the Bolivian East.

Link to the Rosary

In the sources consulted on the Virgin of Cotoca there is no specific or exclusive relationship of this advocation with the prayer of the Rosary (e.g., apparitions linked to the Rosary or particular titles related to this prayer). The practice of the Rosary is part, rather, of the general Marian spirituality of the sanctuary.

However, since the Virgin of Cotoca is venerated as Immaculate Conceptionhis devotion is naturally integrated into the mystery of Christ and Mary in the Rosary. The prayer of the joyful mysteries the conception and motherhood of Mary; glorious mysteries they allow to meditate on their glorification as Immaculate and Asunta. In this way, the Rosary becomes a privileged way to spiritually accompany the pilgrims of Cotoca: it helps internalize the mysteries of Christ's life in union with Mary, and to offer, through her intercession, the intentions and needs that so many faithful present to the Virgin of Cotoca.