Our Lady of Candelaria of Cumanacoa, patron saint of Cumanacoa

Marian devotion of Cumanacoa (Sucre)

La advocación de Our Lady of Candelaria refers, in a liturgical sense, to Presentation of the Lord in the temple and to the old party of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, celebrada el 2 February; that is why it is also known as Virgin of the Light o de la Candelaria. In Catholic piety, the image of the candles and light expresses Christ as the light of the nations and Mary as the first believer to present him to the world.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of Candelaria refers, in a liturgical sense, to Presentation of the Lord in the temple and to the old party of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, celebrada el 2 February; that is why it is also known as Virgin of the Light o de la Candelaria. In Catholic piety, the image of the candles and light expresses Christ as the light of the nations and Mary as the first believer to present him to the world.

In case of Cumanacoa (municipality Montes, state Sucre, Venezuela), the verifiable information about the local historical origin of the advocation, the exact antiquity of the cult and its parish implantation no consta in the sources provided for this document. In contrast, it is clear that in the Venezuelan East there is a Marian devotion of strong popular arraigo linked to the Candelaria and celebrated with special solemnity the 2 Februarybut the specific documentation on Cumanacoa must be reinvestigated in local parish and diocesan sources.

The image and the sanctuary

A safe description of the venerated image in Cumanacoa - type, material, measures or iconographic features, so it is not wise to attribute undocumented characteristics to it.

Nor does the full official name of the temple where it is venerated or its possible condition of National, diocesan or minor basilica sanctuary. The available reference refers to the parish temple de Cumanacoa, but it does not allow to identify with certainty its exact canon name and ecclesial rank.

Sponsorship and coronation

It means that the advocation is Boss of Cumanacoa and is linked to the religious life of that town. The revised documentation does not contain a diocesan or national patronage formally established for this specific advocation in Cumanacoa.

There is no documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party se celebra el 2 Februaryin line with the liturgical solemnity of the Candelaria. Devotion is expressed in the local environment by pilgrimage and acts of popular veneration, a feature that fits with other celebrations of the Candelaria in Colombia and in the Spanish-American sphere, where the feast usually includes processions, solemn Eucharist and manifestations of popular religiosity.

Para Cumanacoa, data on afluencia, number of pilgrims, pilgrimage tours or specific traditions no constan in verified sources and must be reinvestigated with local press, parish file and diocesan newsletters.

Link to the Rosary

There is no exclusive historical association between this title and a particular form of the Rosary in the revised documentation. However, the Candelaria is naturally integrated into the Marian spirituality of the Rosary, because both devotions consider Mary always in reference to Christ the light of the world and the mysteries of the Incarnation, the Presentation and the life of Jesus.

In a document on Rosary devotion, it can be noted that the Rosary accompanies this devotion as a school of Marian contemplation: by praying it, the community unites the memory of Mary carrying Christ in the temple with the meditation on the mysteries of salvation, which fully harmonizes with the liturgical and symbolic meaning of Candlemas.