Our Lady of Ujarrás

Marian Invocation of Paradise (Carthage)

The invocation Our Lady of the Clean Conception of the Rescue of Ujarrás, popularly known as Virgin of Ujarrás o Virgin of the Rescue, is one of the historically most significant Marian images of Costa Rica, venerated today in the canton of Paradise, province of Cartago.

Main data

Origin and history

The invocation Our Lady of the Clean Conception of the Rescue of Ujarrás, popularly known as Virgin of Ujarrás o Virgin of the Rescue, is one of the historically most significant Marian images of Costa Rica, venerated today in the canton of Paradise, province of Cartago.

According to traditionThe image would have been a gift from the king. Philip II of Spain al franciscano Brother Lorenzo of Welcome to 1565, and is considered the first Marian image of which memory is held in Costa Rican territory. Popular piety also recounts the famous miracle of "Rescued" in the 17th century, when a heavenly help would have protected the valley of Ujarrás from an attack, from which the title of Virgin of the Rescue. These stories are part of the devotional memory of the people, but they belong to the tradition more than that of strictly documented history.

En la documented history it is found that the image was originally venerated in the ancient town of Ujarrás, in the valley of the same name, where a colonial temple was erected whose ruins are preserved as a sign of ancient devotion. For pastoral and population reasons, the image was brought to Paradise el 13 July 1832where he continues his veneration until today. Over the centuries, changes have taken place in the way of naming the image and in its official patronage, influenced by processes of cultural mestización and subsequent ecclesial recognition.

(Important note: the sources consulted place it unanimously in the Paradise, Cartago, Costa Rica; there is no documentation to identify it as an advocation originating in Colombia.)

The image and the sanctuary

The Virgin of Ujarrás is a escultura de bulto de Holy Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Ujarrás. The image presents the Virgin with the Child Jesus, in the style of the Spanish-colonial imagery; its solemn bearing and the procedural character with which it is usually carried in walks in the great parties are highlighted. The available sources do not clearly indicate the material (madera polychromeada u otro); therefore, is not certain.

It is currently being venerated in the National Sanctuary Our Lady of Ujarrás and St. John Paul IIwhich is at the same time the Parish temple of Paradise of Carthage. This sanctuary has been officially re-established as National sanctuary el 15 February 1981the date on which the temple dedicated to this devotion received this title. The pastoral group also includes the Religious Historical Museum of Our Lady of Ujarráslocated in Paradise, which keeps objects, documents and images related to the history of the advocation.

Las ruins of the ancient colonial temple of Ujarrásin the homonymous valley, they are today a historic place of devotional memory, traditionally linked to the origins of the cult of the Virgin of the Rescue. There there are romaneries and pious acts, although the original image is kept and venerated in the Paradise sanctuary.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Virgin of Ujarrás, under the title of the Clean Ujarrás Rescue Conception, is recognized as Patrona de Costa Rica in the field of popular devotion and certain official recognition. A law of the Republic, the Act No. 3112 of 9 April 1973He declared it. "Captain General and Patron of the Civil Guard and the Costa Rica Security Corps"in relation to the account of the miracle in front of the pirates and their role as protector of the nation. At the local level, 2 February 2022 was declared "perpetual mayor of the canton of Paradise and custody of the city keys", strengthening his civic and spiritual patronage over the canton.

As for his coronationthe sources 1955with the Pope's consent Pius XII, el cardenal Carlos María de la TorreArchbishop of Quito (Ecuador), presided over the pontific coronation of the Virgin of Ujarrás in a great ceremony held at the National Stadium of Costa Rica. It's a coronation. pontifical (i.e., made on behalf of the Pope), which is an official recognition of the importance of this vocation in the life of the Church in Costa Rica.

Party and devotion

The liturgical feast linked to this advocation is associated with its title of Clean Design of the Ujarrás Rescue Candelaria, por lo que la most prominent date in the devotional calendar is that of the Presentation of the Lord / Our Lady of the Candelaria, February 2the day when solemn celebrations are held in the sanctuary and holy-religious acts in Paradise. Some sources also mention celebrations around the April, linked to historical commemorations, but a second official and established date is not accurately recorded.

Devotion is expressed in a special way through the romería a Ujarráswhich each year brings together many faithful who pilgrim from Paradise and other localities to the historical site of the old town and its colonial ruins. The original image remains in the Paradise sanctuary, and is often the subject of solemn processions, novena and mass eucharisties. Popular piety insists on the Virgin as of the countryand "Virgen del Rescue," which results in frequent acts of consecration of families, authorities and security forces under their protection.

There are also cultural and catechetical initiatives, such as the one mentioned above. Religious Historical Museumwho help to know the history of the advocation and to deepen its meaning in the evangelization of Costa Rica.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not describe a specific or exclusive practice from prayer of the Rosary associated with Our Lady of Ujarrás (for example, historical co-friadies of the Rosary of this sanctuary, particular indulgences or schedules of solemn rosaries that distinguish her from other Marian devotions). Therefore, does not contain a unique and documented link between this advocation and the Rosary beyond the common Marian practice of the Church.

However, in the ordinary life of the sanctuary, the Rosary is present as one of the privileged ways of honoring the Virgin, especially in the novenas, processions and strong times (such as the February parties or the romanies). The contemplative prayer of the mysteries of the life of Christ, of the hand of Mary, deeply harmonizes with the identity of the Virgin of Ujarrás as Protective and Rescue MotherFor the Rosary helps to "rescue" the memory of God's works in history, strengthens hope in the midst of trials and sustains the filial trust in the intercession of the Mother of God. Thus, even if there is no specific legal or historical link, the Rosary is presented as a prayer very in accordance with the spirituality and mission of this Marian advocation in Costa Rica.