Our Lady of Candelaria

Marian dedication of Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro)

About Our Lady of Candelaria venerated in the Church of Candelaria del centro de Río de Janeiro (Brazil)the documentation available refers in a consistent way to the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and not to a municipality of similar name in Colombia; a specific title of "Nossa Senhora da Candelária de Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) located in Rio de Janeiro, department of Rio de Janeiro, Colombia," is not included in reliable sources. In open research (ecclesial, historical and divulgative sources) there are no verifiable data that link this advocation to a location in Colombia; the solid reference is always the historic temple of the capital.

Main data

Origin and history

About Our Lady of Candelaria venerated in the Church of Candelaria del centro de Río de Janeiro (Brazil)the documentation available refers in a consistent way to the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and not to a municipality of similar name in Colombia; a specific title of "Nossa Senhora da Candelária de Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) located in Rio de Janeiro, department of Rio de Janeiro, Colombia," is not included in reliable sources. In open research (ecclesial, historical and divulgative sources) there are no verifiable data that link this advocation to a location in Colombia; the solid reference is always the historic temple of the capital.

NUCANIA / LEADENDA. La devoción a Our Lady of Candelaria its roots in the liturgical celebration of the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of Maryforty days after Christmas, where Christ is proclaimed "light to light the nations" (Lk 2: 32). This dimension of "light" has been popularly expressed in the blessing of candelas and in the Marian invocation under the title of Candelaria, radiating from very ancient throughout Christianity, with special strength in the Hispanic and Luso world. The pious tradition recalls a spiritual bond with the famous Virgin of Candelaria of Tenerifethat it became a reference for sailors and navigators of the Atlantic, and whose influence would have inspired other homonymous devotions in ports and cities of Iberoamerica; this link, however, is based more on historical and cultural affinities than on a direct canonical dependence.

HISTORIA DOCUMENTADA. In the specific case of Church of Candelaria de Río de Janeiro (Brazil)historical sources have since colonial times witnessed a strong presence of Marian devotion linked to the world of navigation and maritime trade in Guanabara Bay. The temple eventually became one of the most emblematic religious buildings in the city center, with the title of Our Lady of Candelaria, being a reference point for the religious, social and civic life of Rio. However, they do not contain in the documentation consulted data that allow to identify, in a reliable way, a precise "foundation" of this advocation as a Marian sanctuary canonically linked to a territory in Colombia, nor a history of its own differentiated from the known Brazilian devotion.

In summary: the advocation is solidly rooted in the liturgical tradition of February 2 and in the history of the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); concerning a specific location "Rio de Janeiro, department of Rio de Janeiro, Colombia," no verifiable documentation.

The image and the sanctuary

The image. In accessible sources there is not sufficient technical description (exact type of size, author, date, precise materials) of a specific image of Our Lady of Candelaria linked to un santuario o parroquia en “Río de Janeiro, department of Rio de Janeiro, Colombia”. So, no consta in a documented way a separate iconography of the known general iconography of the Candelaria. In the Catholic tradition, Candelaria is often represented as Mary carrying the Child Jesus in her arms and holding a candle or candle onthe sign of Christ the light of the world, sometimes accompanied by elements that evoke the presentation in the Temple. This description corresponds to the General iconographic type, not a specific piece checked for Colombia.

The sanctuary or temple. The advocation mentioned is associated, according to the proposed title, with the historical Church of Candelaria del centro de Río de Janeiro (Brazil), church of great architectural and historical relevance, insignia within the city centre. The available sources describe the Candelária de Rio as a historical and emblematic temple, linked to the religious and civil life of the city; however, there is no explicit confirmation of its recognition as minor basilica or National sanctuary. As for a specific sanctuary under this title in a Colombian municipality called "Rio de Janeiro," no consta no official canon erection or mention in accessible diocesan or national directories.

Therefore, from the point of view of the verified documentation, it is only possible to claim with certainty:

– Que existe un important Marian temple in the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) under the title of Our Lady of Candelaria. – Que no consta, in consulting sources, an official sanctuary in Colombia with the same title linked to a place called "Rio de Janeiro, department of Rio de Janeiro."

Sponsorship and coronation

Patronage. The tradition presents Our Lady of the Candelaria, of the Canary root, as navigator and passenger protectionespecially in port and coastal environments, due to the symbolism of light and the historical influence of the Candelaria de Tenerife on the Atlantic sailors. In the specific case of Church of Candelaria de Río de Janeiro (Brazil)Our Lady is popularly held as one of the great Marian devotions of the city, with resonances of protection over the city and its bay. However:

– No consta in the documents consulted a formal declaration proclaiming it canonical pattern de la ciudad de Río de Janeiro. – No consta no recognition of civil or ecclesiastical patronage for a city or diocese in Colombia under this title associated with "Rio de Janeiro, department of Rio de Janeiro."

Therefore, at the documentary level one can talk about a patronazgo popular about sailors and the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), but not a canonically proclaimed patronage for an ecclesiastical or civil constituency in Colombia.

Canon coronation. In the sources consulted (Catholic press, ecclesial documents, Marian repertory and historical references) does not contain a documented canonical coronation of an image of Our Lady of Candelaria linked to the Igreja da Candelária of Rio de Janeiro, much less an image associated with a hypothetical homonymous locality in Colombia. It should therefore be indicated:

– Canon coronation: there is no documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

Party date. The liturgical feast of the Candelaria is celebrated throughout the Church 2 February, solemnidad de la Presentation by the Lord and Marian Memory of Our Lady of Candelariawith the blessing of the candelas. This date is the one that is linked to the advocation also in the context of the Candelária of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and it is reasonable to assume that any community that has it as its headline will hold the same day as the main party.

Pilgrimage and devotional features. Para la Church of Candelaria de Río de Janeiro (Brazil)the sources highlight their importance as emblematic temple of the city centre, with an intense influx of faithful and visitors, especially in the great liturgical parties. However:

– No constan datos numéricos sólidos de afluencia anual ni descripciones detalladas de organized pilgrimages específicas a la Candelária en el mismo nivel en que se describen otros grandes santuarios marianos (por ejemplo, Aparecida en Brasil o Guadalupe en México). – No se han hallado, en la documentación consultada, referencias a formal romaneries ni a tradicciones populares propias de una comunidad en “Río de Janeiro, department of Rio de Janeiro, Colombia”.

In the context of general devotion to the Candelaria, in many places it is common:

– La blessing of the candelas el 2 de febrero, signo de la luz de Cristo y de la protección maternal de María. – Procesiones con la imagen de la Virgen o con las candelas encendidas, como expresión de fe y de entrega a la luz de Crist