Our Lady of Candelaria of Candarave, patron saint of the district and province of Candarave

Marian devotion of Candarave (Tacna)

No reliable online sources have been found to specifically document the advocation of Our Lady of Candarave Candelaria in the department of Tacna, neither in Peru nor in Colombia, nor that mention a Marian sanctuary with this title in a place called Candarave linked to Aymara evangelization and water begging.

Main data

Origin and history

No reliable online sources have been found to specifically document the advocation of Our Lady of Candarave Candelaria in the department of Tacna, neither in Peru nor in Colombia, nor that mention a Marian sanctuary with this title in a place called Candarave linked to Aymara evangelization and water begging.

En la General documented history of the Virgin of the Candelaria it is known that the advocation has its origin in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) and from there it spread to Latin America between the 16th and 17th centuries, taking strong root in countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and others. La fiesta litúrgica universal de la Candelaria se celebra el 2 Februarytogether with the Lord's Presentation in the Temple and the Purification of the Virgin Mary.

With regard to a specific presence in Candarave (Tacna), linked to Aymara evangelization and water begging, there is no verifiable documentation in the sources consulted (ecclesial pages, Catholic press, encyclopedic bases and historical resources) that will allow a rigorous reconstruction of a historical account of this sanctuary or image. In the absence of reliable data, it is not possible to distinguish with certainty between local tradition and documented facts about this specific advocation; therefore, "does not contain" a documented own story of Our Lady of Candarave Candelaria in accessible sources.

The image and the sanctuary

The available sources on the Virgin of Candelaria en general describe the typical image of this advocation as a representation of the Virgin Mary who supports the Child Jesus and carries a candela or candle on, sign of Christ the light of the world. However, no consta a specific description of the The image vened a candarave (type of size, material, colonial style, detailed iconography or own features).

Similarly, no documented appears in the revised sources a temple explicitly identified as "parish temple - Candarave sanctuary" dedicated to Our Lady of the Candelaria, nor its canonical name (parish, diocesan or national sanctuary, minor basilica, etc.), nor its architectural characteristics. So, as far as the concrete image and the sanctuary of Candaravemust be strictly stated: no available documented information to allow them to be accurately described.

Sponsorship and coronation

In the tradition of the Virgin of the Candelaria in Latin America, this advocation is patron of various cities and localities, such as Medellín, Cartagena de Indias, Magangé or El Banco in Colombia, as well as many populations in other countries. However, no documentation found online that explicitly confirms to Our Lady of the Candelaria as patron of the district and province of Candarave (Tacna) in official sources of dioceses, episcopal conferences, sanctuaries or Catholic means of reference. Consequently, from a strictly documented point of view, the canonical patronage of this advocation on Candarave is not verifiable in the sources consulted.

As for a canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of Candarave Candelaria, with a pontifical decree or duly registered episcopal delegation, no se hallado ninguna reference in ecclesial, historiographic or journalistic sources. Therefore, it must be strictly stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation for this image in available sources.

Party and devotion

La litigation fiesta universal of the Virgin of the Candelaria is celebrated the 2 February, coinciding with the feast of the Lord's Presentation in the Temple and the Purification of Mary, and it is a very deep-rooted celebration throughout Hispanoamerica. In Colombia and other countries there are processions, novenas, solemn eucharisties and popular activities, especially in cities and villages that have the Candelaria as their patron.

However, no sources have been found that specifically describe the celebrations of the February 2 party in Candaravenor data on pilgrimages, local traditions linked to water or agriculture, nor figures of the influx of faithful in that particular place. In the absence of verifiable documentation, it can only be indicated that, by analogy with other locations where it venerates the Candelaria, the 2 February be also the reference date for local devotion; but this is a inferencia general y no consta express for Candarave in the sources consulted.

Link to the Rosary

The revised sources on the Virgin of the Candelaria in general do not indicate a specific and documented link between the advocation of Candarave Candelaria and some unique practice related to the prayer of the Rosary (for example, the Rosary's co-fradies that belong to that sanctuary or promises expressly linked to this prayer). Therefore, it should be strictly stated: there is no documented particular link between Our Lady of Candarave Candelaria and the Rosary.

From a general Marian perspective, the Candelaria presents Mary as Mother who carries Christ in her arms, "light to light the nations" (cf. Lk 2: 32)which deeply harmonizes with the Rosary, which is a contemplation of the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary. The Rosary This devotion is naturally accompanied by this devotion: in meditating on the joyful mysteries, we see the motherhood of Mary and the childhood of Jesus; in the painful, the redeeming dedication of Christ; in the glorious and luminous, his victory and the full participation of the Virgin. Thus, even where there are no documented particular practices, the prayer of the Rosary is presented as a privileged means to live the spirituality of the Candelaria, allowing itself to be led by Mary to Christ, the light of the world.