Our Lady of Guadalupe del Carrizal, patron of the Falcon state

Marian Atvocation of Chorus (Falcon)

La devoción a Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Carrizal is closely linked to the finding of a lie with the guadalupana image on the coast of Muaco, between Muaco and Taimataima, in the municipality Colina of the state Falcón, the 27 February 1723. From that fact, the image was moved inland and gave rise to a Marian cult center that over time was consolidated as a spiritual reference for the Falconian region. The first church dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in El Carrizal dates back to the 18th century and dates back to this foundational event.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción a Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Carrizal is closely linked to the finding of a lie with the guadalupana image on the coast of Muaco, between Muaco and Taimataima, in the municipality Colina of the state Falcón, the 27 February 1723. From that fact, the image was moved inland and gave rise to a Marian cult center that over time was consolidated as a spiritual reference for the Falconian region. The first church dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in El Carrizal dates back to the 18th century and dates back to this foundational event.

From the historical point of view - documented, it is found that the 12 December 1928during the Second Mariano Congress of Venezuela held in Coro, and with the consent of the Pope Pío XIthe Virgin of Guadalupe of El Carrizal was proclaimed "Celestial Patron of the Diocese of Coro throughout the Falcon State". The church was later rebuilt and consecrated again in 1992 by Mons. Ovidio Pérez Morales, then Bishop of Coro. There is no foundation directly linked to the colonial origins of the city of Coro beyond the general framework of evangelization of the region; the relationship with the "origins of Coro" must be understood as a key to the pious tradition and historical roots of devotion in the area, not as a specific documentary fact.

As regards the elements of tradition and legend, popular devotion often underlines the providential character of the trunk that reached the coast with the canvas, the surprise of the fishermen and the rapid spread of the cult as signs of special predilection of the Virgin for the Falconian people. These details, transmitted by local piety, are part of the devotional imaginary, although the most adorned stories cannot always be verified with historical precision in their details.

> Note: Although the commission mentions "Coro, department of Falcón, Colombia," the ecclesial and civil documentation clearly places this advocation in La Vela de Coro, Estado Falcón, Venezuela.

The image and the sanctuary

In El Carrizal they venerate two main images de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: – Un lie antiguo, ubicado en la parte superior (remate) del retablo del altar mayor. – Una popular invoice wood sizeof a lump, located in a niche on the right of the main altar, which is the central image of devotion and the destination of canonical coronation.

The iconography reproduces the figure morenita of the Virgin of Guadalupe according to the Mexican model: Our Lady standing, with a starry mantle, hands together in prayer, sustained by the angel, sign of the motherhood and royalty of Mary on the American continent. The size of wood, of popular features, shows the local appropriation of this iconography, which has become an identity sign of the Falconian people.

The sanctuary is the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Carrizal, also known as National Mariano Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Carrizal. This is a minor basilica, recognized as National Mariano Sanctuary and the seat of an intense life of pilgrimage. It is located in The Sail of Choir, Colina municipality, Falcón state, Venezuela. The present temple is the result of the reconstruction and consecration carried out in 1992, with a wide and luminous architecture, prepared to host large concentrations of faithful, and equipped with a major altar chaired by the canvas and the size of the guadalupana.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Carrizal is State Patron Falcon y de la archdiocese of Coro. In 1928, on the occasion of the Second Mariano Congress of Venezuela, it was proclaimed Celestial Patron of the Diocese of Coro by the Pope Pío XI, patronage that is understood today to be extended to the entire Falcon State.

As for the canonical coronation, the wood size of Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Carrizal was canonically crowned on 12 December 1992by the Pope's decree San Juan Pablo II. The coronation took place during the episcopate of Mons. Ramón Ovidio Pérez Morales, Bishop of Coro, in the framework of the restoration of the sanctuary and the renewed impulse to Guadalupana devotion. Therefore, there is a duly documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

The main feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Carrizal is held 12 December, in tune with the universal feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Mexico. Around this date there are novies, solemn masses, processions and manifestations of popular piety that bring together faithful from all the archdiocese of Coro and from various regions of Venezuela.

The shrine of El Carrizal is a well-known Marian pilgrimage center. Throughout the year, parish pilgrimages, group visits, diocesan celebrations and special events are organized, such as through the streets of Coro and other Falconian localities, especially in significant anniversaries such as the finding of the canvas (26-27 February). Devotion is characterized by the strong identification of the Falconian people with the "Morenita de El Carrizal," venerated as a protective mother in daily needs, especially by fishermen, peasants, families and young people.

The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference itself has highlighted the character of the image as "Patron of the Falconians", stressing the function of the sanctuary as a spiritual and cultural point of reference for the Falcon state. In the collective memory, the Virgin of Guadalupe of El Carrizal is a sign of regional unity, gratitude for the protection received and Marian missionary commitment.

Link to the Rosary

It does not contain a specific tradition that uniquely links the advocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe of El Carrizal with the rezo of the Holy Rosary (for example, historical rosarian copradies of the sanctuary or promises linked exclusively to the Rosary). However, as in the vast majority of Marian shrines in Latin America, the Rosary is a regular part of the daily piety of the pilgrims and of the Guadalupan celebrations, especially in preparation for the feast of December 12 and in the diocesan pilgrimages.

From a general Marian perspective, the Rosary is understood as “escuela de María”: by meditating on the mysteries of the life of Christ with the Mother, the faithful of Falcon contemplate the face of Jesus with the eyes of the Guadalupana of El Carrizal. In this context, the Rosary accompanies local devotion as a simple and deep way to welcome the Guadalupan message of closeness, comfort and evangelizing commitment, strengthening the bonds of faith and Christian identity of the Falconian people.