Our Lady of Health of Bojaqua

Marian title of Bojaqua (Cundinamarca)

According to the local traditionthe remote origin of devotion is related to the arrival in Bojaqua of a Marian image linked to the pains of the Virgin, which began to be invoked in a special way by the faithful in search of health for the sick. The popular piety attributes to this image numerous favors and miracles, which in time consolidated the affective title of "Our Lady of Health" applied to the venerated Virgin in the parish of the place.

Main data

Origin and history

According to the local traditionthe remote origin of devotion is related to the arrival in Bojaqua of a Marian image linked to the pains of the Virgin, which began to be invoked in a special way by the faithful in search of health for the sick. The popular piety attributes to this image numerous favors and miracles, which in time consolidated the affective title of "Our Lady of Health" applied to the venerated Virgin in the parish of the place.

As for the documented historyvarious sources point out that in the 18th century Marian devotion was spread in a painful key in Bojaqua, and that by 1729 a very devoted priest of Our Lady of the Dolores placed an image of the Virgin in the church, considered as seed of the later advocation of Health. Another historical tradition, collected in tourist guides and informative material, indicates that 1739 José Pérez brought from Spain an image of the Virgin of the Dolores, known for the miracles associated with his intercession, and who, once donated to the church of Bojaqua, was enthroned and venerated as Our Lady of Health of Bojaqua, becoming a local patron.

The growth of devotion was gradual but constant throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1872 The use of the title "Our Lady of Health" applied to the venerated image in Bojaqua is already documented. Later, in 1922, the Augustino parish priest Fray Hilarión García, noting the great influx of faithful, instituted the annual feast of Our Lady of Health, fijándola en el second Sunday of Septembernear the memory of Our Lady of the Dolores. This liturgical step consolidated devotion and gave the sanctuary an increasingly pilgrim character.

The image and the sanctuary

The main image venerated is a Table o paint of the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Health. It comes from the tradition of the Virgin of the Dolores and is iconographically linked to the mystery of Mary Dolorosa, invoked in Bojaqua as a mother and mediator of health and comfort for the sick. The picture is considered "miraculous" in popular piety and occupies a prominent place in the presbytery of the sanctuary.

The center of this devotion is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Health of Bojaqualocated in the main square of the municipality of Bojaqua (department of Cundinamarca), about 37 km from Bogotá. The temple is part of the Parish San Lorenzo Martir - Our Lady of Health Sanctuary in Bojaqua, confiada a la Order of San Agustín (Nuestra Señora de Gracia Province of Colombia). It is an important parish temple and Marian sanctuary with extensive sacramental programming: there are numerous daily and Sunday Eucharist, as well as blessings of the sick, families and means of transport. It does not know that the temple has the title of minor basilica not declared National sanctuary; is recognized and presented as diocesan Marian shrine and regional pilgrimage center.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Health of Bojaqua is Patrona of the municipality of Bojaquarecognized and celebrated as such by the civil and ecclesial community. In addition, 1963 was proclaimed Patron of the Diocese of Facatativa, diocese to which the sanctuary belongs. This diocesan proclamation underlines the regional scope of devotion and the pastoral importance of the sanctuary for the local Church.

As for a canonical coronation, in the documentation consulted of the sanctuary, of the diocese and of ecclesial and tourist sources, there is no safe reference to a decree of canonical coronation approved by the Holy See or to a pontifical or diocesan coronation formally documented. Therefore, with the information available, does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

Historically, the main party was set at 1922 en el second Sunday of Septemberby the decision of the parish priest Fray Hilarión García, relating it to the memory of Our Lady of the Dolores. To this celebration was added the Next Monday how day of the people's patron partieswith a strong festive and popular character. Over time, devotion was extended and, according to the testimonies of the sanctuary, also the day of the Immaculate Conception (8 December) y el last Sunday of May are celebrated with special Marian fervor in honor of Our Lady of Health.

The municipal consultation also "Feast of Our Lady of Health - Bojaqua" as a central celebration of the patron of the municipality, with an official invitation from the local government to religious and cultural activities. The liturgical date indicated by the local tradition for this advocation was the second Sunday of September; the mention of a feast on 6 January does not appear in the verified sources, so, in the light of the documentation consulted, does not have a main party safely on January 6while the celebration of September as the annual feast of the Virgin is documented.

The sanctuary is a important pilgrimage center close to Bogotá, very frequented on weekends and holidays. The pilgrims come to the Eucharist, to confession, to prayer before the picture of the Virgin and to the blessings of the sick, families, water, religious objects and means of transport, especially cars and other vehicles, which are usually blessed after the masses. There are many eucharisties on Sundays and holidays, with organized capacity both in the temple and in adjacent spaces, a sign of a strong influx of faithful. Devotion is characterized by trust in Mary's intercession to obtain health of the soul and body, protection in travel and help in danger, as reflected in the traditional prayers to the Virgin of Health of Bojaqua.

Link to the Rosary

In the pastoral life of the sanctuary, devotion to Our Lady of Health of Bojaqua is closely linked to rezo of the Holy Rosary. Testimonials of the sanctuary itself point out that, in the framework of the great holidays - both the annual celebration and the Marian celebrations of December and May - the Rosary is prayed at different times as part of the spiritual preparation and the holiday in honor of the Virgin. The Rosary is thus integrated into processions, vigil and acts of Marian piety, strengthening the contemplative character of the pilgrimage.

Although a exclusive promise or practice of the Rosary the spirituality that surrounds Our Lady of Health of Bojaqua is understood in harmony with the Marian tradition of the Church: the Rosary allows us to meditate on the mysteries of Christ with the eyes and heart of Mary, Dolored and compassionate, and to ask, by her intercession, for the grace of the health of the soul and body. In this sanctuary, the Rosary becomes in a particular way a plea entrusted to the sick, to those who suffer and to those who seek protection in the truck.