Our Lady of Rule, patron of Havana Bay and protector of sailors, venerated in the Sanctuary of Rule

Marian Advocation of Rule (Havana)

In case of Our Lady of Rule as patron of Havana Bay, tradition shows that devotion came from Andalusia (Chipiona) by sailors who brought an image of the Virgin of Rule by sea, soon consolidating her fame as a protector of sailors and people of the sea. This advocation, which originated in the famous shrine of Chipiona (Spain), was spread to various countries, including Cuba, and was particularly associated with the protection of seafarers.

Main data

Origin and history

In case of Our Lady of Rule as patron of Havana Bay, tradition shows that devotion came from Andalusia (Chipiona) by sailors who brought an image of the Virgin of Rule by sea, soon consolidating her fame as a protector of sailors and people of the sea. This advocation, which originated in the famous shrine of Chipiona (Spain), was spread to various countries, including Cuba, and was particularly associated with the protection of seafarers.

La documented history in Cuba points out that in the area of Guaicanamar (in front of Havana Bay) a masonry hermitage was built where an image of the Virgin of Rule from Spain was enthroned, carried by Major Sergeant Peter of Aranda; since then he enjoyed great devotion and named the Caserio de Estable. It was proclaimed Patron of the place on 26 December 1714. Other historical sources remember that as early as 1708 he was considered a patron of the bay, receiving symbolically the key to the city.

It does not contain a specific devotion to Our Lady of Rule in a "department of Havana, Colombia" nor a Marian sanctuary with that title and that geographical title. In accessible documentation, advocation is clearly linked to Rule (population in front of Havana Bay, Cuba)other parts of America and Spain, but no consta a canonically recognized sanctuary of "Fina, La Habana (Colombia)" with these characteristics.

The image and the sanctuary

The image venerated as Our Lady of Rule in Havana Bay is described as a Virgin dressed in blue, associated in the popular imaginary to the sea and to the syncretism with Yemayá in Afro-Cuban religiosity. Its iconography is located in the line of the Virgin of the rule of Chipiona, which is a Gothic size of wood of medieval tradition, patron of the men of the sea. In Cuba, the image is generally represented as a Virgin standing, with the Child Jesus in arms, both richly dressed, with features that refer to the ancient Hispanic tradition of Rule.

The main place of worship is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Rule, also known as Church of the Virgin of the Rule, located in the village of Norma, opposite the bay of Havana. It is a Marian sanctuary with great popular roots, which emerged from the ancient masonry hermitage built in Guaicanamar to host the image brought from Spain. It is recognized as National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Rule in Cuba. It is not known that this temple has the title of a minor basilica in the documentation consulted; it is called a sanctuary and parish church.

On a supposed Marian shrine of Our Lady of Rule in "La Habana, Colombia", no verifiable data from ecclesial, academic or Catholic press sources. Therefore, a specific temple under that name cannot be strictly described in Colombian territory.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Rule is Patron of the people of Rule, located in front of Havana Bay. It was also proclaimed patron of Havana Bay at the beginning of the 18th century: local devotion recognizes it as a protector of the bay, and a historical tradition places its proclamation as a patron of the place in 1714. In general, this advocation is considered patron of sailors and men of the sea in various places where he venerates it.

A contemporary source points out that the image of Our Lady of Rule in her sanctuary of Havana Bay was crowned in 1957 by the Cardinal (refers to the Archbishop and Cardinal of Havana). Since a pontifical decree or explicit reference to the Pope who authorized or delegated this act is not available in the consulted sources, it cannot be said with complete certainty if it was a canonical coronation in the strict sense; for caution, and in the absence of official documentation, it should be indicated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation in primary accessible sources.

No documentation has been found to attribute to Our Lady of the Rule the official patronage of a diocese or of an ecclesiastical constituency in Colombia; it is noted that her local patronage in the State of Cuba and her special connection with the communities of sailors in different countries.

Party and devotion

In the Spanish sphere, the great party of the Our Lady of the Rule se celebra el September 8the date indicated in Chipiona (Spain) and has influenced other regions where devotion is spread. In Cuba, tradition shows that the "Feast of Rule" has been held annually since the late 17th century, commemorating the location of the image in the sanctuary and coinciding with the Marian celebrations of September. Some local sources, however, place a strong celebration around the 7th of September in the context of the Marian parties; when there is no official liturgical calendar published, does not accurately contain a date other than the 8 September tradition.

The devotion to Our Lady of Rule in Havana Bay is manifested in pilgrimages to the sanctuary, Eucharistic celebrations, land processions and popular expressions linked to the world of the sea. It is called in a special way as protection of sailors, fishermen and sailorsas a defender of the city and the bay. In the Cuban context, his cult is intertwined with elements of Afro-Cuban religiosity, identifying itself in popular syncretism with Yemaya, "owner of the sea," which makes the sanctuary a meeting place for both Catholics and people from African traditions.

There are no precise statistical data of inflow, but the literary and testimonial sources agree to describe the Rule Sanctuary as one of the most significant Marian pilgrimage centers in Havana, especially at its patron party.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not contain a specific and documented relationship between the advocation of Our Lady of Rule in Havana Bay and some particular practice of Rosary (for example, the Rosary's cofradies, promises associated with mysteries, own indulgences, etc.). No mention has been found of an official tradition that exclusively links this advocation to the prayer of the Rosary.

However, as in most Marian shrines, the Rosary It naturally accompanies devotion to Our Lady of the Rule: the image that keeps the bay and protects the sailors leads many faithful to meditate, with the accounts of the Rosary, on the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary, asking for their protection in the "traverses" of life. In this context, the Rosary becomes a “cadena de oración” that unites the coastal communities, the sailors and the families of the city of Havana, putting under the cloak of the Virgin of Rule the dangers of the sea, the daily needs and the Christian hope in the intercession of the Mother of God.

Since it does not contain a rosarian bond of its own and differentiated for this advocation, the Rosary may be presented pastoral as the a privileged way to accompany his venerationhelping to contemplate, with Mary, the mystery of Christ that illuminates the nights of the bay and the traverses of those who welcome the protection of Our Lady of the Rule.