Our Lady of the Remedies of St. John, venerated in Bolívar

Marian title of Bolívar (Cauca)

According to the local traditionthe image of the Virgin would have appeared on a rock in the territory of San Juan, in the present municipality of Bolívar (Cauca), in the context of the evangelization of the XVII@-@ XVIII centuries. In the devotional memory of the people there is a presence of the Virgin of Remedies in the area for several centuries, with stories of protection and favors attributed to her intercession.

Main data

Origin and history

According to the local traditionthe image of the Virgin would have appeared on a rock in the territory of San Juan, in the present municipality of Bolívar (Cauca), in the context of the evangelization of the XVII@-@ XVIII centuries. In the devotional memory of the people there is a presence of the Virgin of Remedies in the area for several centuries, with stories of protection and favors attributed to her intercession.

As for the documented historyrecent sources point to a continuity of worship of several centuries, but without rigorously specifying the exact year of origin or the date of erection of the parish or sanctuary. In a call to the employers' parties, it is said of "375 years of their presence and blessing for the people," which suggests a tradition that dates back to the XVII-XVIII century, but there are no published historical documents that critically confirm a precise founding date. Nor do they contain, in the accessible sources, ancient decrees of canonical erection of the sanctuary or specialized historical studies on this specific advocation.

The image and the sanctuary

The image of Our Lady of the Remedies of St. John is listed in Wikimedia Commons as a venerated Marian image in San Juan, municipality of Bolívar (Cauca, Colombia). In the available picture you can see a traditional dress image with Child Jesus in arms, crowns and rich blankets, following the style of the Baroque and post-Baroque images of the Virgin of Remedies in the Hispanic context. No reliable technical data on the material (carved wood, stucco, etc.) neither on the author or on the date of the performance of the size; therefore, no consta precise dating and artistic provenance.

The image is venerated in the Parish - Sanctuary Our Lady of the Remedies of St. John, in the municipality of Bolívar, department of Cauca. In recent communications it is presented explicitly as "The parish of the Sanctuary Our Lady of the Remedies of San Juan, Bolívar (Cauca)" and "The Sanctuary of the Remedies, San Juan Bolívar Cauca, a place of pilgrimage for the Jubilee 2025." This indicates the practical recognition, at least at the diocesan / local level, of its character as a sanctuary. It is not clear from the public sources consulted that the temple has been raised to minor basilica or having the title of National sanctuaryThis is a diocesan or regional sanctuary with a significant influx of faithful from the south of Cauca and neighbouring departments.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of the Remedies of St. John is invoked as the local patron of the San Juan correction y del municipio de Bolívar (Cauca)where the patron parties are held in his honor, with a strong religious and cultural identity. The devotion also brings together communities from the south of Cauca and from other areas that pilgrim to their sanctuary. There is no indication that this specific advocation is the patron of a diocese or of a national character; the Virgin of Remedies, who is the main patron of the Archdiocese of Cali, corresponds to another image and sanctuary, other than that of Bolívar (Cauca).

As regards a canonical coronationin the resources consulted (press, parish communications, databases and Marian repertory) does not contain a documented canonical coronation for the image of Our Lady of the Remedies of San Juan (Bolívar, Cauca). No references have been found to the Pontifical Decree, diocesan coronation celebration or intervention by a papal delegate in this regard.

Party and devotion

The main feast of Our Lady of the Remedies of San Juan in Bolívar (Cauca) is celebrated 1 September, a date that is marked as the day of his solemn feast, with the Eucharist throughout the day and great presence of the faithful. In recent chronicles and calls, we speak of "patron parties in San Juan - Bolívar - Cauca in honor of Our Lady of the Remedies," underlining her long presence and the people's gratitude for the favors received.

The novena preparatory, processions with the image, solemn liturgical celebrations and popular activities typical of the patron parties (community meetings, local cultural expressions, etc.). The sanctuary becomes a destination for pilgrims from not only Bolívar and the south of Cauca, but also from other departments, according to graphic testimonies and press news about concentrations in the "Our Lady of the Remedies of Bolívar (Cauca) temple to ask for peace." Devotion is characterized by trust in the intercession of the Virgin as Mother of Remedieswho are particularly involved in asking for health, protection and reconciliation in a region marked by social and law and order difficulties.

Link to the Rosary

In the specific sources on this advocation there is no explicit and stable reference to the Virgin as Our Lady of the Rosary of Remedies nor to an official co-ownership with the Rosary; nor are public statutes that formally link the sanctuary to the Rosary co-fradies documented. Therefore, no consta a particular historical-legal link with the Rosary similar to that found in other Marian shrines.

However, in the ordinary devotional practice of the Church in Colombia, the rezo of the Holy Rosary is a regular part of the novena, pilgrimages and Marian parties. The novena in honor of Our Lady of Remedies usually includes the meditation of the mysteries of the Rosary and the contemplation of the life of Christ by the hand of Mary, although the sources consulted do not detail the complete plan of the celebrations. Thus, the Rosary accompanies this devotion as a school of faith and intercession: by disgracing it to the image of the Virgin of the Remedies of St. John, the faithful unite their own needs and those of the region to the mysteries of Christ, asking Mary to "remedy" the personal, family and social wounds, in continuity with the very meaning of this Marian advocation.