Our Lady of the Nieves of Ciudad Bolívar, traditional patron of Ciudad Bolívar and the state of Bolívar

Patrona de Ciudad Bolívar

La advocación de Our Lady of the Snows has its remote origin in the ancient Roman tradition linked to the basilica of Santa Maria la Mayorin Rome, where the miracle of a snowfall is commemorated in the middle of the summer (4th century) during the pontificate of Liberia (352 º 366). Esta memoria litúrgica, fijada el 5 August, spread throughout the Hispanic world, giving rise to numerous shrines and patronings under the title "Las Nieves."

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of the Snows has its remote origin in the ancient Roman tradition linked to the basilica of Santa Maria la Mayorin Rome, where the miracle of a snowfall is commemorated in the middle of the summer (4th century) during the pontificate of Liberia (352 º 366). Esta memoria litúrgica, fijada el 5 August, spread throughout the Hispanic world, giving rise to numerous shrines and patronings under the title "Las Nieves."

En el ámbito de Guayana (Venezuela)the sources agree to point out that Our Lady of the Snows is one of the oldest Marian devotions in the region, introduced in colonial times by the Spaniards and especially linked to evangelization and river navigation in the Orinoco. La Fundación Empresas Polarin his Dictionary of History of Venezuela, he specifically mentions the Our Lady of the Snow, in Ciudad Bolívar (state of Bolívar)as one of the country's historical Marian devotions. It is recognized as traditional patron of Ciudad Bolívar and the state Bolívarwith stable veneration in the Catedral of the city.

On the concrete configuration of the advocation as "the command of the navigators of the Orinoco" and the possible narrations of miraculous protection in the river, the accessible bibliography only refers to general traditions about the arrival of Marian images with the conquerors and missionaries and their link to river routes, without offering specific reports dated or published documents; therefore, no constain the sources consulted, a detailed documented historical narrative of these origins, beyond their character of devotion colonial and very early in the Guayanese region.

The image and the sanctuary

The sources of public access consulted do not describe the concrete image de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves venerada en Ciudad Bolívar (type of size, material, dimensions or specific iconography); it is only mentioned generic as a Marian patronal image, with no more data. Consequently, no consta with safety in open documentation the type of sculpture or painting and its artistic characteristics.

The advocation is venerated in the Cathedral Church of Ciudad Bolívar, mentioned in Wikipedia as the "Holy Metropolitan Cathedral Church of the City," where the patron image of Our Lady of the Snow is kept. In the Venezuelan context, tradition identifies it as the old main church of the city, but the sources consulted do not specify, for Ciudad Bolívar, an official title specific to the temple as minor basilica, National sanctuary o diocesan sanctuary in relation to this vocation; therefore, no consta such recognition in the information available.

Sponsorship and coronation

According to the summary on the Virgin of the Snow and the Marian devotions of Venezuela, this advocation is patron of Ciudad Bolívar, in the state of Bolívar, and is also presented as patron of the state itself, in continuity with a tradition of several centuries. The mention of Ciudad Bolívar among the towns and cities that have as their patron of Our Lady of the Nieves appears both in the general synthesis of Catholic.net and in the encyclopedic article on this advocation, where it is stated: "Our patron saint of Ciudad Bolívar, State of Bolívar [...] whose parties are held every 5 August."

As for a canonical coronation of the image, neither the general ecclesial sources nor the repertory of the Marian advocations consulted record data, decree or official news of coronation for Our Lady of the Nieves of Ciudad Bolívar. There are no references to date, pontifical document or papal delegate for such an act. Therefore, it should be strictly stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation for this apvocation in Ciudad Bolívar in available sources.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of the Snow is celebrated liturgical the 5 August, memory that goes back to the dedication and tradition of the Basilica of St. Mary the Major in Rome. This date has been assumed in the various places where the Virgin of the Snow is patron, and the encyclopedic article explicitly points to it for Ciudad Bolívar (State of Bolívar), indicating that "their parties are held every 5 August of each year." Catholic.net also links the title of Our Lady of the Snow to the celebration of August 5, spread from Rome to the universal Church.

The sources consulted on Marian devotions in Venezuela mention Our Lady of the Nieves of Ciudad Bolívar as a well-established tradition, but do not offer figures of afluencia, details of pilgrimages or description of popular customs specific (river processions, promises, vigil, etc.) linked exclusively to this advocation. Since the city is located in a region historically linked to navigation by the Orinoco and that the advocation is taken as the former protector of the area, it is likely that there are local devotional practices (procession, novena, solemn patron mass), but no constan in open sources specific data that can be strictly cited.

Link to the Rosary

In the documentation consulted on Our Lady of the Snow - both in the general presentation of the title and in the specific notes on its presence in Ciudad Bolívar - no consta a particular historical relationship of this advocation with the prayer of Rosary (for example, Rosary cofradies specifically linked to this image, Marian promises documented on the Rosary prayer, etc.).

However, as in almost all Marian shrines of Hispanic root, it is reasonable to assume that the Rosary It is part of the ordinary devotional life of the faithful: the believing people contemplate in the mysteries of the Rosary the life of Christ from the hand of Mary and, in doing so, recognize in Our Lady of the Snow the same Mother of God revered in other titles. Where the feast of August 5 is celebrated and the Virgin of the Snow is honoured, the Rosary usually acts as “cadena de unión” among the different vocations: it links the local history of Ciudad Bolívar with the Roman tradition of Santa María la Mayor, and links the confidence of the sailors of the Orinoco and the inhabitants of Guayana to the Marian prayer of the whole Church, even when there is no specific historical reference between this advocation and the Rosary.