Our Lady of the Candelaria of Maldonado, patron of Maldonado

Patrona de Punta del Este

Local tradition links the origins of devotion to the arrival of explorer Juan Díaz de Solís the coast of Maldonado 2 February 1516the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of the Virgin Mary. According to this tradition, the landing on that date would have motivated the early implementation of the devotion to the Candelaria in the Rio de la Plata region, considering it one of the oldest Marian claims of the current Uruguayan territory. It is, however, a traditional pious relationshipwithout contemporary documents describing an immediate cult of the Candelaria after the expedition of Solís.

Main data

Origin and history

Local tradition links the origins of devotion to the arrival of explorer Juan Díaz de Solís the coast of Maldonado 2 February 1516the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of the Virgin Mary. According to this tradition, the landing on that date would have motivated the early implementation of the devotion to the Candelaria in the Rio de la Plata region, considering it one of the oldest Marian claims of the current Uruguayan territory. It is, however, a traditional pious relationshipwithout contemporary documents describing an immediate cult of the Candelaria after the expedition of Solís.

As for the documented history, la actual Church / Parish of Santa María de la Candelaria In Punta del Este it was established as a Catholic temple of reference on the peninsula in the early 20th century. The church, dedicated to the Virgin of the Candelaria, was opened in the early 20th century and was extended in 1941 thanks to donations from families of the region, leaving the original construction only the entrance and the bell tower. In time, it became one of the most important centres of veneration in the area, to the point of giving name, along with the city, to the diocese of Maldonado and Punta del Este.

The devotion to the Candelaria in Maldonado is inserted in a broader context of expansion of this advocation since the Virgin of the Candelaria of Tenerife, patron of the Canary Islands, whose devotion spread throughout Latin America and is considered one of the most widespread Marian advocations on the continent after Guadalupe. This reference explains the Hispanic origin of the venerated image and the continuity of the February 2 party in the local calendar.

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The image and the sanctuary

Inside the Parish of Santa María de la Candelarialocated on the Punta del Este peninsula in front of the Faro square, a image of the Virgin of Candelaria coming from Spain. The sources consulted indicate their Spanish origin but do not specify with certainty the material and the author of the size; therefore, no consta detailed documentation on his material and artistic dating. This is a representation of the Virgin Mary under the title of the Candelaria, which is iconographically associated with the light of the candela and the Presentation of the Lord, although public descriptions focus more on its devotional importance than on its artistic features.

The temple is known as Church of Santa María de la Candelaria and is described as the most important Catholic temple in Punta del Este. It has a celestial façade that stands out visually on the peninsula and a central ship with whitened arches and pillars, floor with colored mosaics and representations of the Via Cruces on the walls. The church was extended in 1941, and the current structure is the result of this reform, retaining from the first construction only the access door and the bell tower. It does not know that the temple has the title of minor basilica ni de National sanctuary; at the ecclesial level it is mainly recognized as a parish and centre of Marian devotion of diocesan relevance.

In addition to the main image in the temple, an image of the Virgin of the Candelaria is also venerated in a rocky tip near the sea, adorned with plates of thanks and requests, which shows a strong link between Marian devotion and the maritime and tourist environment of the city.

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Sponsorship and coronation

La Virgin of the Candelaria is recognized as Patrona de Punta del Estewhose faithful are gathered in the parish that bears its name, the center of the liturgical and devotional life of the city. The parish itself and tourist sources point to the Virgin of Candelaria as a local patron and as one of the most loved Marian advocacy by the inhabitants and visitors of the resort. Although the statement mentions "patron of Maldonado," the sources consulted speak clearly of their centrality as patron of Punta del Este; no consta a specific canonical statement that proclaims it as a patron of the entire department on a civil or ecclesiastical level in accessible documents.

As for a canonical coronationthe diocesan, parish and tourist or religious press sources consulted no mencionan no ceremony of canonical or pontifical coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Candelaria of Maldonado / Punta del Este, nor indicate date, decree or pontifical delegate linked to such an act. Therefore, according to the available data, does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

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Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of the Candelaria in Maldonado is celebrated the 2 February, coinciding with the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of the Virgin Mary in the liturgical calendar. On that day the Eucharistic celebrations and acts of piety are concentrated, with a remarkable participation of local faithful and tourists, given the tourist character of Punta del Este.

Since the beginning of the 20th century they have been procedure who leave the parish of Santa María de la Candelaria, located in front of the lighthouse, walking in prayer the streets of the city. From 1997, on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the spa, a unique tradition began: water processionin which a row of sailing boats, yachts and various boats carries the image of the Virgin through the waters near the east coast. This maritime procession, which is repeated every year around February 2, has become a characteristic sign of local devotion to the Candelaria, expressing the community's confidence in the protection of the Virgin over the sea, the sailors and the city.

The devotion also extends to a ermita en la playa Brava, próxima a la playa El Emir, raised by neighbors to honor the Virgin of the Candelaria, where the faithful come to pray and leave devotees and plates of thanks. During the weekends and in the high season, the parish records a remarkable influx of faithful to the masses, and the image becomes a spiritual point of reference for both residents and visitors. Typical features of this devotion are the Thanksgiving for travel, health and family protectionthe burning of candles as a sign of Mary's "light" that leads to Christ, and participation in the land and sea processions.

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Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted on the parish and devotion to Our Lady of the Candelaria in Maldonado / Punta del Este do not explicitly mention a particular practice of the Rosary linked to this advocation (for example, specific co-fradies of the Rosary, mass promises of the Rosary prayer or pilgrimages defined as "rosarians"). Therefore, no consta a specific historical or legal link