Our Lady of Charity of Myra, venerated in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity of Myra

Marian devotion of Mira (Carchi)

According to tradition and legend, the ancient indigenous population of Mira, where the Pasto and Caranqui cultures were found, had since very early received an image of the Virgin Mary under the title of the Charity, whose presence was perceived as close and protective against calamities, droughts and epidemics. Local stories highlight the spiritual impact of the image: its look is described as "tender eyes" and its expression as a source of inner peace for those who contemplate it. The devotional tradition highlights, especially, the "favors" attributed to the Virgin in times of need, which consolidated the people's affection for this vocation.

Main data

Origin and history

According to tradition and legend, the ancient indigenous population of Mira, where the Pasto and Caranqui cultures were found, had since very early received an image of the Virgin Mary under the title of the Charity, whose presence was perceived as close and protective against calamities, droughts and epidemics. Local stories highlight the spiritual impact of the image: its look is described as "tender eyes" and its expression as a source of inner peace for those who contemplate it. The devotional tradition highlights, especially, the "favors" attributed to the Virgin in times of need, which consolidated the people's affection for this vocation.

In the plan of the documented history, Marian devotion in Mira is framed in the colonial context. A local author takes up the reference to a Actual of 10 April 1644, which speaks of "Sponsorship of Our Lady" and orders that, in the kingdoms of Indias, one day be marked to celebrate with nocturnal, solemn Mass and processions with the images of greater devotion, which would have given great impetus to the Marian feast in Mira. According to this same source, from that cédule the feast of the Virgin was gaining importance, while the celebrations of the former patron Saint Nicholas (6 December) were decreasing.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, devotion to Our Lady of Charity in Mira became established within the context of the evangelization efforts in Quito and the spread of Marian images from Quito workshops throughout the northern Andes. However, there is no precise record of the exact moment of the arrival of the current image or of the first formal act of patronage, beyond the general reference to the strengthening of the cult after the mid-17th century.

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The image and the sanctuary

Local sources describe the image of Our Lady of Charity of Mira like a Quiteño style image, propia of Andean colonial art, atribuible al 18th century. It is a dress image (polychrome sculpture to which are added textile garments), of a lump, with a face of serene expression, large eyes, delicately rosy mouth and abundant hair, typical features of the Marian imagination of that period. The description highlights the spiritual effect of his physionomy, which communicates softness and comfort. The sources consulted do not contain a complete technical data sheet (author, workshop, exact type of wood or technique), so these data are not documented.

The image is venerated in the Sanctuary Our Lady of Charity, also called Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Charity of Mirawhich is the main temple of the city of Mira. The church appears in recent documentation as "Our Lady of Charity Sanctuary," with a well-defined pastoral identity and active presence on social networks. It is a temple of traditional Andean architecture, with a sober façade, a bell-tower and a wide interior space for the worship and reception of pilgrims.

It is not recorded in the consulted sources that this temple has been declared minor basilica ni National sanctuary by the Episcopal Conference; it is certainly a diocesan sanctuaryunder the jurisdiction of the diocese of Ibarra, recognized de facto as the main center of devotion to the Virgin of Charity in the canton. Inside the sanctuary the headline image presides over the main altar and is subject to continuous veneration by the faithful.

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Sponsorship and coronation

En el ámbito del patronazgoOur Lady of Charity is invoked as Queen and Protector of Mira and of the Canton Mirror. A local historical testimony indicates that the Obispo de Ibarra, Mons. Silvio Luis Haro, expidió un canonical decree in which he proclaimed the Blessed Virgin of Charity as Queen and Protector of the Mirror Canton, el 24 May 1964. This document legally consolidated what was already a reality in popular devotion: the recognition of the Virgin as the main patron of the city and the surrounding area. It is not clear that it has national patronage.

On the coronation, the sources expressly collect that the image was coronate in a solemn celebration: the May 24, 1964 was crowned to the portentous image of the Blessed Virgin of Charity as Queen and Protector of Mira and the Mirror Canton, during the visit to Mira de Mons. Pablo Muñoz Vegathen coadjutor bishop of the archdiocese of Quito. On the same day, the Bishop of Ibarra issued the decree of proclamation already mentioned.

The local sources speak of "coronation" and "canonical decree," but do not specify whether it was a canonical coronation in the strict sense, granted by the Holy See by decree of the competent Congregation, or a diocesan coronation. Since no document available explicitly mentions a pontifical decree, and in accordance with the rule of prudence, it is appropriate for the purposes of a devotional document to state:

> Canon coronation: It does not contain a canonical coronation documented by the decree of the Holy See; it does contain a solemn coronation with a diocesan decree of proclamation of the Virgin as Queen and Protector of Mira and of the Mirror Canton (May 24, 1964).

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Party and devotion

A nivel litúrgico, la main party of the Virgin of Charity is celebrated the September 8in line with the ecclesial commemoration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day universally associated with various Marian asvocations under the title of Charity. Local sources point out that, from the consolidation of this Marian cult, the celebrations of the former patron Saint Nicholas (6 December) were losing centrality in front of the feast of the Virgin.

Around 8 September are organized novenarios, Solemn Masses, Processions and Popular Acts, following the pattern already described in the 17th century by the Royal Cédula that promoted novitiaries, sermons and general processions with the images of greatest devotion. The devotion to the Virgin of the Charity of Mira is characterized by:

– Local and regional Pilgrims, especialmente desde comunidades del cantón Espejo y de otros lugares del Carchi, que acuden al santuario para agradecer favores o pedir protección. – Una fuerte dimensión de intercession in calamities, particularmente frente a sequías, epidemias y dificultades familiares y económicas, en continuidad con la tradición de “favores” atribuidos a la Virgen. – Expresiones de popular piety like processions with the image, floral offerings, candles, Marian songs and promises made with pilgrimages or services in the sanctuary.

There are no official attendance figures, but testimonies underline the