Our Lady of the Assumption of Sololah, patron of the city and head of the diocese of Sololá-Chimaltenango

Marian Invocation of Sololá (Sololá)

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Main data

Origin and history

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La Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption of Sololah It was founded in the 16th century, with a traditional date of 1547, in the process of ecclesial organization after the conquest, soon becoming the center of the religious life of the indigenous and Spanish population settled on the plateau that dominates Lake Atitlán. Over about four centuries, the life of the city of Sololá was articulated around this church, which was several times rebuilt or repaired because of the earthquakes that have affected the western region of Guatemala.

The church has historically exercised functions of parish and cathedral for the diocese of Sololá (today Sololá-Chimaltenango), erected as a diocese in the 20th century; the cathedral is located precisely in the temple of Our Lady of the Assumption, next to the central square of the city. Today it remains the main Catholic temple of Sololá and a religious and cultural reference for the peoples surrounding Lake Atitlan.

# # Tradition and local memory

In the popular memory, it is considered that the devotion to the Virgin of the Assumption accompanies Sololá "from its colonial origins," and that under this advocation the city has sought amparo in the face of earthquakes and other calamities; however, beyond the date of the foundation of the parish and the continuity of the Marian cult, there are no specific early accounts (apparitions, concrete foundational miracles) that are documented. The references to the image as "old treasure" of the city and "sign of identity" of the region are part of a consolidated devotional tradition, but are not based on detailed chronicles of time.

The image and the sanctuary

One of the greatest treasures of the cathedral / parish is the image of the Virgin of the Assumption, described as a carving carved in wood and covered with reputed silver, of colonial origin. It is a size of the Virgin Mary in an attitude associated with the mystery of the Assumption, dressed in rich robes and ornaments, which combine the Hispanic sculptural tradition with the work of platetry of the colonial workshops of the region. The available sources do not systematically detail all the iconographic elements (exact position, presence of angels, moon, star crown, etc.), so there is no complete and documented iconographic description.

El sanctuary where this image is venerated is the Cathedral / Parish Our Lady of the Assumption of Sololálocated next to the main square of the city. It is a temple of sober colonial style, white walls, with simple cover and bell tower, which has been restored after successive earthquakes. The interior has a single main ship with side chapels and simple decoration, in which the main altar stands out with the image of the Virgin of the Assumption as the headline and patron of the community.

It is not known that this temple has officially received the title of minor basilica or that it is recognized as National sanctuary; in the ecclesial sources he is designated as a diocesan parish and cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Sololah.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Virgin of the Assumption is recognized as patron of the city of Sololá, and the cathedral-parish of the Assumption is the main temple of the diocese of Sololá- Chimaltenango. The diocese has as its headline Our Lady of the Assumption (in reference to the headquarters of Sololá) along with other local Marian and holy patronings; however, the diocesan documentation available online explicitly highlights the patronage of other images (such as the Virgin of the Concha, proclaimed patron of the Diocese of Our Lady of the Dolores under the bull Christiani Populi of John XXIII). In the strictly diocesan context, therefore, the Assumption appears more clearly as the head of the cathedral and patron of the city than as the only patron of the entire diocese.

As for a canonical coronationIn the sources consulted (diocesan site, historical and divulgative reviews) there are no data on a pontifical decree or formal act of canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Assumption of Sololah. Therefore, following the criterion:

There is no documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of the Virgin of the Assumption is celebrated universally in the Church August 15, and this date is also the patron solemnity of the cathedral and of the city of Sololá. The news and tourism chronicles point out that this is one of the most important religious festivities in the Lake Atitlán region, with liturgical celebrations, processions and participation of communities from neighbouring villages.

During the days near the 15th of August, the city of Sololá is set up: solemn masses are held in the cathedral, procession with the image of the streets near the main square and cultural and religious activities of the popular Guatemalan piety (carpets, music, traditional dances, etc.), although the sources available online provide rather general descriptions and not exact quantitative data of influx. The Virgin of the Assumption is perceived as a protector of the city and the indigenous communities of the area, and her devotion is intertwined with the cultural identity and history of Sololá.

Link to the Rosary

The documentation available on the cathedral and the image of Our Lady of the Assumption of Sololah does not collect a specific or historical relationship of this advocation with a fellowship of the Rosary, a particular solemn rosary or other institutional link directly linked to the prayer of the Rosary. Therefore, no consta an own and documented link between this advocation and the Rosary, beyond general Marian practice.

However, in the spiritual life of the diocese and of the parishes of the region, the Rosary is a regular part of Marian piety: it introduces into the mysteries of the life, death and glorification of Christ with Mary, in a way very consistent with the mystery of the Assumptionwhich is seen as one of the glorious mysteries. The prayer of the Rosary before the image of the Virgin of the Assumption helps the faithful to meditate on the hope of future glory, the dignity of the Virgin already fully glorified and the vocation of the pilgrim Church, especially in communities that have suffered earthquakes, poverty and migration, finding in Mary a sign of consolation and constant intercession.