Our Lady of Elevation, patron of Ambato

Marian Advocation of Ambato (Tungsten)

According to the tradition On November 13, 1695, the Virgin Mary appeared to the indigenous Juan Chacarin on a large stone in the area of Chiquicahua, in the area of Pilahuín, a rural area near Ambato. This first Marian manifestation gave rise to the title of Our Lady of the Elevation, also known as "the Virgin of the Peña," by the rock on which the Virgin would have manifested herself. Since then, popular memory has associated this apparition with special protection over the Andean region and its indigenous communities.

Main data

Origin and history

According to the tradition On November 13, 1695, the Virgin Mary appeared to the indigenous Juan Chacarin on a large stone in the area of Chiquicahua, in the area of Pilahuín, a rural area near Ambato. This first Marian manifestation gave rise to the title of Our Lady of the Elevation, also known as "the Virgin of the Peña," by the rock on which the Virgin would have manifested herself. Since then, popular memory has associated this apparition with special protection over the Andean region and its indigenous communities.

In the plan of the documented historyit is recorded that in 1698 a strong earthquake destroyed much of the city of Ambato, and from that moment the devotion to Our Lady of Elevation was consolidated and extended as a protector of the city in the face of natural disasters. Over the centuries, the ecclesiastical authorities of Ambato were recognizing this veneration; in the 20th century the image was declared patron of the diocese of Ambato (according to a local note, in 1949, although the exact date does not appear in easily accessible official documents). In 1984 the parish dedicated to this advocation was erected as Diocesan Sanctuary, which confirms the historical roots of this devotion in the diocese.

The image and the sanctuary

The journalistic and diocesan sources describe the image of Our Lady of Elevation as a traditional Marian representation, linked to the mystery of the Assumptionbut no detailed technical information is available on the author, material or exact size date. It is also commonly known as the "Virgin of the Peña," in reference to the rock of the apparition, and is usually covered with rich blankets, crowned and carried in walks in the main celebrations. There is no precise description of the material (wood, stucco or other) in the sources consulted, and this data should therefore be considered. no documentado.

The main place of worship is the Diocesan Sanctuary Virgin of the Elevation, located in the parish of Santa Rosa, in the city of Ambato. According to the testimony of the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, after several years of devotion and search for resources, a temple was built that was erected in parish on August 18, 1974, dismembered its territory from the parish Holy Spirit. The 6 January 1984 the parish Our Lady of the Elevation was elevated to the category of Diocesan Sanctuarygiven the great influx of the faithful and the importance of this advocation for the diocese of Ambato. The sanctuary has become a center of pilgrimages, with an intense sacramental and pastoral life. It is not known that the temple has been raised to minor basilica nor the national sanctuary; its recognized rank is that of diocesan sanctuary.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Elevation is recognized as patron of the city of Ambato. Various local notes point out that the image of Our Lady of Elevation or Peña was declared patron of the diocese of Ambato in 1949, although this specific date does not appear, at least in a public and easily verifiable way, in official diocesan documents accessible online. In any case, the presentation of this advocation as a diocesan patron is constant in the press and in the communication of the local Church.

As for the coronationthe image has been crowned solemnly and publicly by the Bishop of Ambato, Monsignor Giovanny Pazmiño. However, the sources available (brief reviews on social networks and local videos) do not clearly specify whether it is a canonical coronation or a diocesan or devotional coronation. Since no pontifical decree or explicit reference to a canonical coronation granted by a Pope or his delegate is found in the sources consulted, it should be stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of Elevation is celebrated the 13 Novemberin memory of the apparition of Juan Chacarin in 1695. Around this date a novena solemne y una procession with the image on the streets, with great participation of faithful from both the city and surrounding rural communities. During these days, the diocesan sanctuary organizes Eucharistic celebrations, pilgrimages and acts of Marian piety.

The devotion to the Virgin of Elevation is marked by the memory of the earthquakes who have beaten Ambato, especially that of 1698 and later: the faithful resort to this advocation as a sign of protection and comfort in the midst of disasters. Common pilgrimages from parishes of the diocese to the sanctuary of Santa Rosa, organized by the diocese and the parish authorities, in which the intercession of the Virgin is requested for the city, the families and the sick. The presence of the name of Our Lady of Elevation in diocesan works and institutions, such as the Medical Centre of the diocese, reflects the social dimension of this devotion, which is associated with the closeness of Mary with the most needy.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted on Our Lady of Elevation do not mention a specific or historical relationship of this advocation with the prayer of the Rosary (for example, apparitions expressly linked to the Rosary or historical co-fradies of the Rosary under this title). Therefore, no consta a particular link of this advocation to the Rosary, beyond the usual Marian piety.

However, as an advocation linked to the mystery of the Assumption of Mary and to the protection of the city in times of trial, the prayer of the Rosary naturally fits the spirituality of Our Lady of Elevation. By meditating on the glorious mysteries, the Assumption and Coronation of Mary in heaven illuminate the confidence of the faithful of Ambato in the intercession of the Virgin in the face of the earthquakes and sufferings of history. In the pastoral practice of the sanctuary, the ninth and the pilgrimages offer a privileged context for the community prayer of the Rosary, which helps the devotees to contemplate the life of Christ with Mary and to live this Marian veneration in a fully ecclesial way.