Our Lady of Candelaria of El Morro de Tubará

Marian devotion of Tubará (Atlantic)

In Colombia, the Our Lady of Candelaria comes from the devotion of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), where the Virgin of the Candelaria was already venerated from the Middle Ages. This devotion passed to America and, in particular, to New Granada, from the 17th century, spreading to various populations in the Colombian Caribbean. The universal liturgical memory of the Candelaria is celebrated 2 Februaryin relation to the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple and the Purification of Mary.

Main data

Origin and history

In Colombia, the Our Lady of Candelaria comes from the devotion of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), where the Virgin of the Candelaria was already venerated from the Middle Ages. This devotion passed to America and, in particular, to New Granada, from the 17th century, spreading to various populations in the Colombian Caribbean. The universal liturgical memory of the Candelaria is celebrated 2 Februaryin relation to the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple and the Purification of Mary.

According to the studies on the Candelaria in Colombia, this advocation became especially popular on the Caribbean coast and is patron of several cities and municipalities such as Medellín, Cartagena, Magangé, El Banco and others, where religious and cultural parties were held around 2 February. However, accessible sources do not explicitly and documented the specific historical origin of the cult in the Morro de Tubará (Atlantic)neither the year of the beginning of the local holidays, nor the founder or the precise circumstances of the establishment of the sanctuary. Therefore, on the particular origin of devotion in the Morro de Tubará no documented history in the sources consulted.

Nor have any academic or ecclesial references been found that reflect a specific and detailed tradition or legend (for example, an apparition, miraculous finding of the image or promise of sailors) specifically linked to the Morro de Tubará. Therefore, no consta a local tradition / legend sufficiently described and documented in verifiable sources.

The image and the sanctuary

The sources available on the Candelaria in Colombia describe, in general, traditional Marian-type images: the Virgin with the Child Jesus in arms, carrying a candle or candela, sign of Christ the Light of the world. However, no specific and reliable description of the image of Our Lady of the El Morro Candelaria of Tubará (type of size, material, dimensions, style, specific iconography or author). Therefore, on the image venerated in this sanctuary no consta detailed and documented information in accessible sources.

As for the temple, it is known from the general tradition of the region that devotions to the Candelaria are often associated with churches or shrines located in high or prominent places - as in Cartagena, where the Candelaria is linked to the hill of the Popa, although in this case the main title is that of the Virgin of the Candelaria of the hill of the Popa - but this information does not refer directly to the Morro de Tubará. For the shrine of the Morro de Tubará, no verifiable data on:

– Official name del templo (parroquia, santuario diocesano, etc.). – Canon category (si es o no santuario diocesano, santuario nacional o basílica menor). – Architectural characteristics (style, construction time, enlargements, restorations).

As a result, with regard to the sanctuary in the Morro de Tubará, it can only be said, in general terms, that it is a Marian place of worship located on a high or promontory, but no consta a precise description or specific official recognition in the open sources consulted.

Sponsorship and coronation

In the Colombian context, the Virgin of the Candelaria is recognized as the patron of several populations (for example, Medellín, Guarne, El Banco, Cartagena, Magangé, Garagoa, La Capilla, Bagadó), where devotion is well documented and its patronage is reflected in liturgical and civil life. For the municipality of Tubará (Atlantic)the sources consulted do not explicitly mention a decree of patronazgo nor the official proclamation of Our Lady of the Candelaria del Morro as patron of the corresponding municipality or diocese. Therefore, regarding the specific patronage of this advocation in Tubará, no consta verifiable documentation.

About a possible canonical coronation of the image of the Candelaria del Morro de Tubará, there has not been found in the sources consulted any reference to the pontifical decree, solemn act or celebration of coronation presiding by the delegate of the Holy See or by the local bishop. Unlike other Candelarias (for example, Tenerife, canonically crowned in 1889), in the case of El Morro de Tubará does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La fiesta litúrgica de la Candelaria in the universal Church the 2 Februaryin memory of the Lord's Presentation and the Purification of Mary. In Colombia, and particularly in the Caribbean, the Candelaria's patron parties take place between the end of January and the first days of February, with novenas, processions and celebrations that combine religious elements and cultural expressions specific to the region.

The sources that describe the coastal revival of the Candelaria point out that devotion in the Colombian Caribbean is lived with processions, traditional music, dances, cumbia and a rich gastronomy, integrating popular piety with local cultural identity. These characteristics allow us to assume that in Tubará, as in other places on the coast, the feast of Our Lady of the Candelaria del Morro is also celebrated around February 2 with liturgical acts (Eucharist, novena, procession) and expressions of popular coastal religiosity. However, for the specific case of El Morro de Tubará no specific and quantifiable data on:

– Organización concreta de la novena o triduo. – Pilgrimages locales, diocesanas o regionales al santuario del morro. – Afluencia de fieles (números aproximados). – Tradiciones populares propias (promesas, ofrendas, subida al morro, etc.).

Therefore, beyond the general reference to the feast of the Candelaria on February 2 and to the strong presence of this devotion in the Colombian Caribbean, the particular devotional features of the Candelaria del Morro de Tubará no constan in a documented manner in the sources consulted.

Link to the Rosary

In the Marian Catholic spirituality, the Rosary is one of the most widespread forms of prayer, and the advocation of Our Lady of the Candelaria, being deeply rooted in the life of the people, is often accompanied in many places by the prayer of the Rosary in novies, processions and vigil, especially around February 2. However, for the specific invocation of Our Lady of Candelaria of El Morro de Tubará no documentation has been found to explicitly describe a particular practice of the Rosary (for example, rosaries of the Rosary associated with the sanctuary, aurora rosaries, or proper ways of praying).

In the absence of specific data, it can be pointed out as a general Marian reflection that the mystery that the Candelaria celebrates - Christ Light of the world presented in the Temple, with Mary bearing in her hands the light - it is deeply harmonized with the prayer of the Rosary. In the joyful mysteries (the Presentation of the Lord), the biblical passage that gives liturgical origin to this advocation, and those of the