Santa María de la Caridad, emblematic image of Huamantla

Marian devotion of Huamantla (Tlaxcala)

In case of Santa Maria de la Caridad venerated in Huamantla (Tlaxcala, Mexico)the available sources are constantly referring to the advocation as Our Lady of Charity o Virgin of Charity, patron of Huamantla and holder of his basilica, one of the most significant Marian shrines in the state along with the Sanctuary of Ocotlán in Tlaxcala capital. An equivalent advocation located in a "department of Tlaxcala, Colombia" does not appear in reliable sources; therefore, the correct geographical reference is Huamantla, state of Tlaxcala, Mexico, and there is no Marian sanctuary in a town named Huamantla in Colombia.

Main data

Origin and history

In case of Santa Maria de la Caridad venerated in Huamantla (Tlaxcala, Mexico)the available sources are constantly referring to the advocation as Our Lady of Charity o Virgin of Charity, patron of Huamantla and holder of his basilica, one of the most significant Marian shrines in the state along with the Sanctuary of Ocotlán in Tlaxcala capital. An equivalent advocation located in a "department of Tlaxcala, Colombia" does not appear in reliable sources; therefore, the correct geographical reference is Huamantla, state of Tlaxcala, Mexico, and there is no Marian sanctuary in a town named Huamantla in Colombia.

### Tradition and legend

According to the local tradition, the image of the Virgin of Charity came to Huamantla in the 17th century, brought in the context of Franciscan evangelization. The pious narrative shows that the Franciscan friars practiced charity with the indigenous and poor of the region, distributing food and food under this Marian advocation, hence the title "Charity." This charitable dimension would since mark the character of devotion: a Virgin close to the needy and protector of the people.

The popular memory also retains the episode of the promise of General Porfirio Díazwho, before the battle of Tecoac (1876), would have been entrusted to the Virgin of Charity by promising a crown, a ureola and a palm of gold if he had achieved victory. After the triumph, he would have fulfilled this promise, a gesture that is maintained as part of the huamantleco devotional imaginary, although it is a data transmitted mainly by the local tradition.

♪ documented history ♪

From the historical - documentary point of view, the civil and tourist sources of Tlaxcala agree that the devotion to the Virgin of Charity is established in Huamantla at least since the 17th century, linked to the Franciscan presence, although no exact date of entronization is specified. Over the centuries, the growing influx of faithful made it necessary to build a larger temple.

La Basilica of Our Lady of Charityas is known today, it developed as a major Marian sanctuary in the 20th century: its foundation in 1941 y su posterior elevation to basilica in 1972in the framework of a project to give a decent place to the patron of Huamantla and to the great Marian celebrations of August. This chronology is based on local sources of tourism and religious heritage in the state of Tlaxcala.

The image and the sanctuary

♪ ♪ The image

The sources consulted show photographs and references to the image of Our Lady of Charity, enthroned in the main altar of the basilica of Huamantla. This is an image of a package, of traditional Mexican style, richly dressed and crowned, presented as Virgin with the Child Jesusstanding up, in a maternal attitude. Technical descriptions (type of wood, author, school) are not explicitly reflected in accessible sources; therefore:

– No consta con seguridad el author ni el workshop de la imagen. – No consta de forma documentada el exact material (wood or other support), although for the type of piece and its likely time it is likely that it is a polychrome sculpture dressed, as is usual in Mexican colonial imagery; this point, however, remains in the plane of hypothesis, not documentation.

Iconographically, it is presented as Mary in the attitude of queen and mother, with crown, scepter or regal attributes in certain solemnities, and rich garments that are renewed at the main parties. The title "Charity" refers, rather than a specific iconographic symbol, to his identity as Mother of mercy and protector of the poor.

### The Sanctuary

The temple where it is venerated receives the official name of Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, also designated as Basilica of the Virgin of Charity. It is located in the city of Huamantla, in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico, and is recognized as the most important Marian sanctuary of Huamantla and one of the most representative of central Mexico.

Among its architectural and pastoral features, the following stand out:

– Estilo predominantemente neoclassical, con fachada sobria y una amplia nave destinada a acoger las grandes concentraciones de fieles. – Templo de grandes dimensiones, concebido expresamente para la función de santuario y centro de peregrinaciones. – Alberga y organiza la célebre celebración conocida como The Noche as Nadie Duerme, linked to devotion to the Virgin of Charity and to processions on carpets.

The local sources explicitly indicate that the temple was declared basilica in 1972, which implies the canonical recognition of the place as a minor basilica by the Holy See; however, the pontifical decree and the name of the Pope or of the dicastery that made the concession are not located in the sources consulted. It is presented as Marian sanctuary at least regional, with a strong impact on the popular religiosity of the state of Tlaxcala.

Sponsorship and coronation

In the field of patronage, civil and tourist sources describe the Virgin of Charity as patron of Huamantla, both from the city and the municipality, and one of the main Marian references of the state of Tlaxcala. The sanctuary is spoken as a center of "national" devotion for the extent of the pilgrimage and the provenance of the faithful, but there is no formal proclamation of national patronage for this advocation.

On the canonical coronation, the sources consulted focus on the symbolic coronation linked to the promise of Porfirio Díaz (crown, aureola and palm of gold, offered as an exvote of gratitude), but do not provide accurate data of a solemn canonical coronation approved by the Holy See (date, decree, pontifical delegate). No references have been found in open diocesan documentation, or in national Catholic press releases, or in Marian repertories of canonical coronations of Mexico.

Therefore, and adhering to the rule of not inventing data:

– No documented canonical coronation for the image of Our Lady of the Charity of Huamantla.

Party and devotion

The devotion to the Virgin of Charity structure the religious calendar of Huamantla. The sources indicate the period as the framework of the great patron party from 14 to 31 Augustwith various liturgical and popular celebrations. These dates include:

– La celebración del August 15, solemnidad de la Asunción de la Virgen María, con misas solemnes, música religiosa y amplia participación del pueblo. En Huamantla, la Asunción se vive estrechamente unida a la figura de la Virgen de la Caridad, que comparte estas fiestas como patrona local. – Los días de mayor afluencia incluyen procesiones, ofrendas florales y actos de piedad popular, con presencia de fieles provenientes de distintas regiones de Tlaxcala y de otros estados.

A distinctive feature is the making of carpets and rugs:

– En el entorno de la basílica se elaboran sawdust and flower carpets en honor de la Virgen, expresión de arte efímero que embellece el paso de las procesiones y que forma parte de la identidad cultural y religiosa de Huamantla. – A la entrada de la iglesia, los visitantes pueden apreciar estos tapetes florales como homenaje a la Virgen, que muestran una gran variedad de colores y motivos religiosos.

The celebration known as