Our Lady of the Nativity of Guayco, venerated in the Sanctuary of Guayco in La Magdalena, Chimbo canton

Marian devotion of Chimbo (Bolívar)

La devotion to Our Lady of the Nativity of the Guayco se sitúa en 1708, when, according to the local tradition, la Virgen se habría aparecido a la joven indígena Luz Maria Chela in the creek or Guayco, in the parish La Magdalena, canton Chimbo, province of Bolívar, Ecuador. The same tradition states that, after a first miracle of healing over the young woman, the popular veneration of the advocation, lovingly known as “Mama Nati”.

Main data

Origin and history

La devotion to Our Lady of the Nativity of the Guayco se sitúa en 1708, when, according to the local tradition, la Virgen se habría aparecido a la joven indígena Luz Maria Chela in the creek or Guayco, in the parish La Magdalena, canton Chimbo, province of Bolívar, Ecuador. The same tradition states that, after a first miracle of healing over the young woman, the popular veneration of the advocation, lovingly known as “Mama Nati”.

As for the documented historyit is noted that the first chapel to honor the Virgin was requested by the parish priest of La Magdalena and authorized by the bishop of Quito Pedro Ponce Carrasco. In addition, a municipal source of Chimbo indicates that the sanctuary was built 8 September 1786 por Mons. Cándido Rada, primer obispo de Guaranda. Another local journalistic reference speaks of a first temple in 1777, raised on the Don Antonio de Echandía in gratitude for a healing attributed to the Virgin. These dates are not unified in a single source, so it is appropriate to distinguish between the devotional tradition y las local historical versions preserved by different references.

The image and the sanctuary

The main imagen if I present a como Virgin with the Child Jesus in armsA journalistic source describes it in the main tower of the sanctuary with a height above 4 meters. There is no complete technical description of the material in the original image or a detailed iconographic form in the sources consulted; therefore, these data should be considered. no constan.

The cult is venerated in the Sanctuary of Our Lady Nativity of the Guayco, also called Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Guayco o Mariano Natividad del Guayco Sanctuary. It is located in the parish La Magdalena, about 5 km from Chimbo according to a tourist source, and about 10 km from the cantonal center according to another municipal and journalistic reference. The sources present it as a sanctuary of origin colonialof great religious importance for the province of Bolívar, though no consta in the sources consulted that have the range of minor basilica, National sanctuary o diocesan sanctuary in a formal canonical sense.

Sponsorship and coronation

The sources consulted do not document a Official patronage universal or national. If your condition of great local and provincial devotion in Bolívar, especially in the canton Chimbo and its parish La Magdalena.

On the canonical coronation, does not contain a documented canonical coronation in the verified sources consulted.

Party and devotion

La main party se celebra el September 8the date on which the traditional apparition of 1708 is commemorated and devotion is extended throughout the month of September. The sources point to a great influx of pilgrims: each year they arrive miles de fieles from different parts to express their devotion and participate in the celebrations.

Popular devotion retains the affectionate nickname of “Mama Nati” and is associated with cures, thanks and pilgrimages to the sanctuary. The religious group is presented by the local press as one of the most prominent places in the province of Bolívar for its devotional intensity and for the influx of visitors around the party. It is also mentioned that tradition is lived not only on the central day, but with expressions of piety extended over several weeks.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not find a specific and own historical relationship of this advocation with a particular practice of the Rosary. However, like any Marian advocation, the Virgin of the Guayco is naturally understood in the context of the spirituality of the Rosarywho contemplates the mysteries of Christ with Mary and accompanies in a privileged way the pilgrimages, promises and thanksgiving in the Marian shrines.