Our Lady of Itacuá, venerated in the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Itacuá on the banks of the Paraná River, Itacuá district of Encarnación

Marian Incarnation (Itapúa)

La Virgin of Itacuá is a Marian invocation that emerged on the bank of the Paraná River, in the area called Punta Itacuá, south-east of the city of Encarnación, department of Itapúa, Paraguay. Devotion was consolidated at the dawn of the 20th century, when an image of the Virgin was placed in a natural grotto by the river, driven by missionaries of the Divine Word. Since then, the place has become one of the main Marian pilgrimage centres in southern Paraguay.

Main data

Origin and history

La Virgin of Itacuá is a Marian invocation that emerged on the bank of the Paraná River, in the area called Punta Itacuá, south-east of the city of Encarnación, department of Itapúa, Paraguay. Devotion was consolidated at the dawn of the 20th century, when an image of the Virgin was placed in a natural grotto by the river, driven by missionaries of the Divine Word. Since then, the place has become one of the main Marian pilgrimage centres in southern Paraguay.

Tradition / legend: The local tradition tells that, since ancient times, the navigators of the Paraná River were entrusted to the Virgin by passing through this rocky and dangerous sector, believing that Mary appeared to them to guide their boats among the stones and to avoid clashes against the rocks. From these stories is born the advocation as protection of sailors and fishermen, linked to the geography of the place, characterized by stone leaps (hence the name Itacuá, "stone cave").

Documented history: The local civil and tourist documents agree that, early 20th century, misioneros del Divine Word managed the placement of a small image of the Virgin brought from Europe in the natural grotto of Itacuá. From that entronization, the site began to receive growing pilgrimages and the present sanctuary was set up, which is now considered. one of the largest Marian centres in southern Paraguay.

(Note: In the sources consulted there is no link of this advocation with Colombia; all place it unequivocally in the Encarnación, Itapúa, Paraguay.)

The image and the sanctuary

The sources point out that the first image placed in the Itacuá grotto was a small image of the Virgin Mary brought from Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, without precise details of the material and the artistic style. There is no comprehensive technical description in the available sources (wood, plaster, polychrome, author, etc.); therefore, no consta rigorously detailed iconography beyond being a Marian image of devotional type entronized in a grotto. In the region, the advocation is also known as "Virgin of the poor" o "Virgin of the Poor of Itacuá" and "Virgen de la Aurora," popular titles linked to its proximity to the simple people and to the light of dawn on the river.

The place of worship is officially called "Sanctuary of the Virgin of Itacuá". It is located in Punta Itacuá, a property around 3 hectares, a 9 km of the historical centre of Encarnación, accessible by an asphalt road called “Tupãsy Rape” (Way of the Virgin). The sanctuary consists of:

– Una main church whose architecture evokes the shape of a ship, en memoria de los antiguos navegantes protegidos por la Virgen. – La gruta natural a orillas del Paraná, donde se encuentra la imagen y a la cual se accede por escalinatas. – Senderos, zonas de descanso y un lush forest con sombra todo el año. – Un 20 meters high lookoutwith views of the Paraná River and the natural environment.

The sources consulted do not indicate that the temple has been declared minor basilica, National sanctuary nor have a special legal title beyond a sanctuary of local and regional devotion; therefore, no consta a documented higher canonical category.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Virgin of Itacuá is considered one of the most significant Marian advocacy in southern Paraguay and he venerates it especially as popular patrona of navigators y protection of the inhabitants of Itapúa. Various local testimonies and publications expressly call it "Pattern of the navigators and protector of the itapuenses". No official decree has been found in the sources consulted, which proclaims the patron of the city, the department or the diocese; the patronage therefore appears to be in the field popular y regional more than in a canonically declared title.

In relation to a canonical coronationthe sources (municipality, official tourism, divulgative articles and devotional notes) do not mention any act of canonical coronation approved by the Holy See or by the Episcopal Conference. In the absence of verifiable data, it should be indicated that does not contain a documented canonical coronation for the Virgin of Itacuá in the available sources.

Party and devotion

La main party of the Virgin of Itacuá is celebrated the 8 December, coinciding with the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On that date the "arrival" of the Virgin is especially commemorated and the solemn Mass is celebrated in the sanctuary. This is a day of great influx, with the participation of faithful from all over the southern part of the country and from other parts of Paraguay.

During the ninth and day of the party they are organized pilgrimages that go through the call "Pilgrimage Road"between trees and silence, until they reach the heart of the sanctuary and the grotto. Local authorities point out that about 17,000 people Each year they walk this road, which makes Itacuá one of the most popular Marian devotion centers in the region. Throughout the year, many faithful come to pray, fulfill promises, thank you for favors and submit requests to the Virgin, also taking advantage of the natural environment of the sanctuary.

Devotion is characterized by:

– Fuerte dimensión popular, con presencia destacada de familias, pescadores, navegantes y trabajadores del entorno del río. – Prácticas de promises and exvotes, propias de un santuario de favores recibidos (no se detallan en las fuentes, pero se alude a “cumplir promesas” y “agradecer favores”). – Vínculo con la nature and the riverwhich strengthens the spiritual experience of those who pilgrim to the grotto.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted on the Virgin of Itacuá (municipal, tourist, devotional and encyclopedic) do not explicitly mention a unique practice of Rosary associated with this advocation (for example, co-fradies of the Rosary of the sanctuary, specific indulgences or traditions differentiated from the daily prayer). Therefore, no consta a particular form of the Rosary that is exclusive to the Virgin of Itacuá.

However, as in most Marian shrines of Catholic tradition, the rezo of the Holy Rosary It is a regular part of the piety of pilgrims, especially on the eve and during the ninth, even if the sources do not detail it. The Rosary, by contemplating the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary, allows:

– Meditar la presence of Mary with the pilgrim Church, en este caso junto a quienes navegan y trabajan en el río, pidiendo protección en los “pasos difíciles” de la vida, como hacían los antiguos navegantes de Itacuá. – Unir la contemplation (propia of the natural entourage of the sanctuary) Marian intercessionmaking the sanctuary a privileged place to pray for the families