Our Lady of the Angels

«La Negrita», patron saint of Costa Rica

Every 2 August, Costa Rica walks to Cartago to meet "La Negrita," a small stone image found, according to tradition, by a humble woman of the people.

Origin and history

The tradition places the finding of the image in the 17th century, in the neighborhood then called "the Puebla de los Pardos," east of Cartago. A poor woman of the people found on a stone a small image of the Virgin with the Child; she took her home, but the next day she found her again in the place. Once again, it was understood that the Virgin wanted to be venerated there, and a hermitage was raised, the origin of the present sanctuary.

The image measures about 20 cm, of mixed features, carved in a stone of graphite, jade and volcanic rock, from which it receives the loving name "La Negrita." In 1824 the Congress declared her patron of Costa Rica, and in 1926 Pius XI raised the sanctuary to the lower basilica. From the end of the 19th century, every 2 August, the great national Romeria brings together hundreds of thousands of faithful, many walking long distances.