Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla

Marian devotion of Chilla (El Oro)

La advocación de Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla, also known as Virgin of Chilla, has its main center of worship in the Basilica Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla, in canton Chilla, province of El Oro, Ecuador. Chilla is located in the Andes mountain range, more than 2,800 meters high, and has become an important destination for Marian pilgrimage in the south of the country.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla, also known as Virgin of Chilla, has its main center of worship in the Basilica Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla, in canton Chilla, province of El Oro, Ecuador. Chilla is located in the Andes mountain range, more than 2,800 meters high, and has become an important destination for Marian pilgrimage in the south of the country.

According to tradition or legend, some peasants from the Old Town, a former settlement of the village of Chilla, they found an image of the Virgin in a swamp or swamp area, where today the building of the Municipal Government rises. The peasants moved the effigy to the house, but the image was mysteriously returning to the place of the swamp; after repeated this fact, the villagers interpreted that there should be the new settlement and the sanctuary. From this experience comes the name of the canton: “Chilla”, derived from quichua “Chaylla”which means "there it is," in allusion to the place where "the Virgin was."

As for the documented historythe sources point out that the devotion to the Virgin of the Nativity of Chilla goes back to 18th century, which makes it one of the oldest Marian asvocations in southern Ecuador. The currently venerated image is described as a sculpture of 19th century. At the ecclesial and legal level, an important milestone was the St. Paul VI's Bible of November 10, 1970by which the Virgin of the Nativity of Chilla was declared Patroness of the province of El Oro. There are no official dates of pontifical recognition in the sources consulted.

> Note: Although the consultation mentioned "Colombia," the official and journalistic sources place the sanctuary unanimously in Chilla, province of El Oro, Ecuador.

The image and the sanctuary

La image of Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla is a marian emulsion atribuida al 19th century. This is a representation of the Virgin Mary under the title of Nativity, that is, linked to the mystery of his birth, although the detailed technical descriptions (material, author, exact dimensions and complete iconography) do not accurately record in the open sources consulted. It is an image venerated by "thousands of Oreans, Ecuadorians and foreigners." Images and graphic references available show a traditional Andean-Hispanic style size, enthroned in a throne highlighted within the temple presbytery.

The main place of worship is the Basilica Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla, also called Virgin Basilica of the Nativity, located in the center of the city of Chilla, province of El Oro. It is presented as Holy temple and Marian sanctuary, center of veneration of the Patron of the province. The construction of the present temple dates from approximately 35 years ago (second half of the 20th century), and local tourist sources point out that it was driven or built by the Spanish priest P. Javier Perea.

The building is considered one of the main architectural symbols of the Catholic faith in El Oroand retains historical elements of great value, such as the Old pulpit, hand-painted canvas, wood sizes and throne where the image of the Virgin rests. The media and devotional language usually call it “Marian shrine of Chilla”. Although it is called "Basilica" in common use and in the local name itself, the sources consulted do not provide an explicit data of a pontifical decree of elevation to minor basilicaThis point cannot therefore be said with rigour.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla is:

– Patron of the canton Chilla: The Virgin of Nativity is considered Pattern of the place en la tradición local. – Patroness of the province of El Oro: por penpapap de san Paul VIdate 10 November 1970, was declared "Patrona de la Provincia de El Oro". – Las fuentes periodísticas indican además que es considerada símbolo espiritual para los habitantes andinos de la región y es presentada en algunos medios como Patron of the diocese of Machala, although the formal data of diocesan patronage is documented with certainty, in a pontifical key, regarding the province.

As for a canonical coronation, the sources consulted (Wikipedia, local press and descriptions of the sanctuary) mention pontifical recognition as Patron and great devotion, but do not explicitly state a date, decree or ceremony of canonical coronation of the image. Therefore, according to the available documentation, does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of the Nativity of Chilla is celebrated the September 8in line with the liturgical feast of The birth of the Virgin Mary, established by the Church. Each year, between 1-10 SeptemberThe main religious and popular celebrations are held in honor of the Virgin, with masses, processions and various expressions of piety.

Devotion congregates miles de peregrinos from all over the province of El Oro, from other regions of Ecuador and even from neighbouring countries. It is indicated that the population of Chilla, with about 3,000 inhabitantsin September, he received a multitude of believers, which transformed the canton into a important centre for pilgrimage and religious tourism. Many pilgrims walk to the sanctuary as a penitential gesture or to fulfill promises, especially around September 8.

Throughout the year, the image also makes Pastoral tours by several localities of the province, according to diocesan and parish programmes. Devotion combines typical features of Andean popular piety (promises, candles, offerings, Marian songs and serenades) with a strong consciousness of the Virgin as Protective mother of the province and of the diocese.

Link to the Rosary

The specific sources on the Virgin of the Nativity of Chilla do not explicitly document a practice or own institution only linked to prayer of the Rosary (for example, the Rosary's cofradies formally erected, particular indulgences or a specific denomination linked to the Rosary). In the information consulted, the the feast of the Nativity, the pilgrimages and the status of Patron of El Oro.

However, by the very nature of this advocation - Marian, patronal and eminently Santuarial- it is reasonable to state, in general pastoral code, that the Rosario is a regular part of devotional life in Chilla: in the Marian shrines of the Latin Church, the pilgrimages, novies and Marian vigil are usually accompanied by the prayer of the Rosary, contemplating the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary. Although there is no particular legal or historical link, the celebration of the Nativity of Mary on September 8 It is naturally harmonized with the spirituality of the Rosary, which presents the Virgin as a mother and a cooperative in the whole work of salvation.

In this context, the Rosary can be considered a privileged way to live devotion to the Virgin of Chilla: by meditating on the joyful, luminous, painful and glorious mysteries, the faithful of The Gold with