Our Lady of Charity, traditional patron saint of San Cristóbal de las Casas

Marian devotion of San Cristóbal de las Casas (Chiapas)

In the documented history of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, the presence of devotion to Our Lady of Charity is attested at least from early 17th century. A video of historical dissemination, citing local tradition, mentions that the image carries the date of 1626 in relation to his conduct or arrival in the city. The title is linked to the urban religiosity of the colonial era and to the social organization of Spanish and indigenous neighborhoods and doctrines in the Chiapas region.

Main data

Origin and history

In the documented history of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, the presence of devotion to Our Lady of Charity is attested at least from early 17th century. A video of historical dissemination, citing local tradition, mentions that the image carries the date of 1626 in relation to his conduct or arrival in the city. The title is linked to the urban religiosity of the colonial era and to the social organization of Spanish and indigenous neighborhoods and doctrines in the Chiapas region.

As for the temple, it is known that the Church / Temple of Charity is related to an old Hospital of Charity, entrusted to the Order of St. John of God, in the colonial Saint Christopher. The factory of the temple that is now contemplated is of the 18th century and is dated around 1712according to local studies and heritage information. In the interior a remarkable Baroque altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin of Charity.

La local tradition gives this advocation a prominent role during the call indigenous rebellion of 1712: he is said to have protected the city, which is why he calls it as “The General”, and protective care de San Cristóbal de Las Casas y de las "armas de Chiapas." There is also talk of an "oath" of patronage towards 1713, but these data are transmitted as a pious and chronic local memory, not always endorsed by official published documents.

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The image and the sanctuary

The image of Our Lady of Charity is described as a imagen de vestir de época coloniale, of very ancient features, very rooted in the religious identity of Saint Christopher. The concrete Marian iconography (position of the hands, Child Jesus, specific symbols) is mentioned in a fragmented way in local audiovisual and chronic sources, but there is no detailed and agreed technical description accessible online; therefore, the complete set of its iconographic attributes is not safe. It is first and foremost recognized as a Baroque vestibule imageand with devotional titles of "Lady of Charity" y “The General”.

The place of veneration is the Temple of Our Lady of Charity, also called Church of Charityin San Cristóbal de Las Casas. It's a temple. of the 18th century, simple baroque facade with Tuscan and central bell columns, which stands out in the urban whole. Inside it houses one of the best Baroque altarpieces of Chiapasdedicated to the Virgin of Charity. The sources consulted do not mention it as minor basilica or National sanctuary; it is more like historical temple and local / diocesan sanctuary of Marian devotion.

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Sponsorship and coronation

A number of local sources, both journalistic and historical, point to the Our Lady of Charity how Patrona de San Cristóbal de Las Casas. A devotional article also presents it as a patron of Soyaló, Chiapas. The tradition also distinguishes it as "Generala" and patron of the weapons of Chiapasin memory of his alleged intercession in 1712.

In the cultural-religious calendar of the city, the November 21 the patron party in honor of Our Lady of Charity, which confirms its role in traditional patron of the city, even living with the patronage of Saint Christopher Martir for the diocese and the city.

On a canonical coronation (issued by the Holy See or by a pontifical delegate with explicit documentation), in the sources consulted no clear reference or verifiable data of date, decree or pontiffand therefore, following the criteria requested:

There is no documented canonical coronation.

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Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of Charity is celebrated the November 21, closes considered the patron party of San Cristóbal de Las Casas. The festive program includes liturgical celebrations, processions and popular expressions of Chiapaneca religiosity, integrating cultural elements of the region.

Sources of tourist promotion and local notes emphasize that this party "reaffirms the deep cultural identity" of the city around the Virgin of Charity. The Virgin is invoked as of the city and especially remembered for its title of "Generala", linked to the memory of defense in times of conflict.

The devotion is manifested throughout the year through the visit to the temple, the maintenance of its altarpiece and participation in Marian celebrations, but on November 21 it concentrates the main pilgrimages and public eventswith a significant influx of faithful from the city and other municipalities, including Soyaló. The available sources do not provide official participation figures, and therefore there is no precise numerical data.

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Link to the Rosary

No documentation is provided in the sources consulted. unique specific or historical relationship between the advocation of Our Lady of Charity in St. Christopher and a particular practice of Rosary (for example, historical fellowship of the Rosary directly linked to this image, granting of special indulgences, etc.); therefore, does not contain a rosarian link of its own beyond general Marian practice.

However, in the context of Catholic spirituality, the Rosary This devotion naturally accompanies: the prayer of mysteries allows us to contemplate, together with Mary, the life of Christ and to ask for his intercession for the and social peace, topics very present in the memory of the Virgin of Charity as Patron and "Generala". In a Marian sanctuary of historical and popular character like the Temple of Charity, the Rosary is often a privileged exercise of preparation for the feast of the November 21 and thanksgiving for the protection given to the Mother of God, even if this practice does not appear explicitly in the available documents.