Our Lady of Soledad, patron of the city of Soledad

Marian Invocation of Soledad (Anzoátegui)

In public accessible sources, a specific documented history de la advocación de Our Lady of Soledad as patron of the city of Soledad, department of Anzoátegui, Colombiaand its historical parish on the banks of the Orinoco, opposite Ciudad Bolívar (Venezuela). For now, there is no official record on sites of the diocese, the Episcopal Conference or in reliable historical repertories on Marian sanctuaries with these precise data.

Main data

Origin and history

In public accessible sources, a specific documented history de la advocación de Our Lady of Soledad as patron of the city of Soledad, department of Anzoátegui, Colombiaand its historical parish on the banks of the Orinoco, opposite Ciudad Bolívar (Venezuela). For now, there is no official record on sites of the diocese, the Episcopal Conference or in reliable historical repertories on Marian sanctuaries with these precise data.

From the point of view general mariano, la advocación de Our Lady of Solitude is a particular form of the title of Our Lady of Sorrows, focused on the moment that Mary remains alone after the death and burial of Christ. This devotion has expanded widely in the Hispanic world (Spain, Mexico, Latin America) since the 16th century, associated with religious orders and penitential cofradies, with a strong presence in Easter celebrations. The devotion to Soledad thus appears in many localities, with images and sanctuaries of their own, although each has its own local history, often undocumented.

In the specific case of Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia), it can be said with rigour only that the advocation is part of this great spiritual trunk of the Virgin of Soledadbut no constain the consulting documentation, a certain date of origin of the local image, no acts of proclamation as a patron, no accounts officially recognized by the Church. Any oral tradition about miraculous foundation, reached by the river or other details should be treated, for now, as undocumented tradition or legend, pending an archival investigation (parochial, diocesan or civil).

The image and the sanctuary

In accessible sources no detailed technical or iconographic description (image type, material, size, author, date) of the concrete image venerated in Guaviare, Colombia. It does not show if it is an image of a candlestick to dress, full size, stew, polychrome, old or contemporary. Many models of the Virgin of Soledad in the Hispanic field represent Mary standing or sitting, in an attitude of pain and recollection, usually dressed in black or purple, sometimes at the foot of the empty crossbut to attribute this model to the image of Soledad, Anzoátegui, without data, would be conjectural. Therefore, no consta a specific description, and direct local research is required.

No reliable information on the official name of the temple (parish or sanctuary) where the image is venerated in Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia), or over its canonical rank (historical parish, diocesan sanctuary, etc.). It is not known that this temple has been erected as minor basilica or having the official title of National sanctuaryat least in the ordinary documentation available. In the absence of data confirmed by the competent diocese, it should be strictly stated: no consta the existence of a title of minor basilica or national sanctuary for this particular Marian temple.

Sponsorship and coronation

The request indicates that Our Lady of Soledad is patron of the city of Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia)but public sources consulted (ecclesial, encyclopedic or Catholic press) not yet providing a verifiable document that officially confirm this patronage (for example, episcopal decree or diocesan recognition published). Therefore, from a strictly documentary point of view, it should be said: there is no documented canonical patronage decree in accessible sources, although local tradition can be considered as a patron in fact.

In relation to a possible canonical coronation (whether pontifical or diocesan) of the image of Our Lady of Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia), if there is no safe reference to date, decree or pontifical or episcopal delegate. It does not appear in regular lists of coronado images or in repertories of Marian sanctuaries. By way of rigour, it should be explicitly stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation of this acvocation in Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia).

Party and devotion

The General Invocation of Our Lady of Solitude has as most common dates of celebration the Holy Saturday (linked to the mystery of Mary in solitude after the death of the Lord) and, in various countries, the 18 December or other dates of their own. However, for the specific case of Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia), no consta documentedly official date of the patron party nor the exact calendar of celebrations (novies, processions, transfers, etc.). It is likely, by analogy with other localities, that there will be a patron party with solemn Mass and procession through the city centre, but this information cannot be given as true without diocesan or parish confirmation.

About specific pilgrimages, inflow and popular traditions (promises, own songs, river processions by the Orinoco, etc.), the sources consulted also do not provide verifiable data. There is therefore no statistics of the faithful or an official description of these manifestations. It can be said, based on the general spread of devotion to Soledad in the Hispanic world, that it is often a devotion of strong popular and penitential arraigo, particularly linked to the spiritual climate of Holy Week and to the accompaniment of Mary Dolorosa. But the features of Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia) must be the subject of field work and historical research.

Link to the Rosary

No explicit reference to a particular and own link between the advocation of Our Lady of Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia) and a specific fellowship or practice of Rosary (for example, a historic "Brotherhood of the Rosary and the Soledad," official times of community prayer, promises linked to the Rosary, etc.). In other regions, associations of the Soledad are documented with the Rosary or with the prayer of the Seven Dolores; but in the specific case of Soledad (Anzoátegui, Colombia), no consta a unique institution or practice which can be described with precision.

From a general Marian perspective, the Rosary is naturally integrated into devotion to the Virgin of the Soledad. Al contemplar los painful mysteriesThe faithful accompanies Mary on the way to the Cross until she is alone, waiting in faith and hope for the Resurrection. The prayer of the Rosary - especially in Lent and Holy Week, or on Saturdays - thus becomes a school of union with Christ crucified, of compassion for the sufferings of Mary and of trust in God's mercy. Even where there is no specific rosarian tradition linked to this advocation, the Rosary remains the privileged way of with Mary, to meditate on the mystery of Passion and Paschal hopewhich is the spiritual heart of devotion to Our Lady of Solitude.