Our Lady of the Carmen of Apicalá, venerated in the archdiocesan sanctuary of the Carmen of Apicalá

Marian title of Apicalá (Tolima)

According to tradition, the image of Our Lady of the Carmen of Apicalá began to be venerated towards 1827‑1828, when in the area a house was formed around a small chapel raised by the inhabitants and workers of the region. In this context, the Virgin of Carmen was welcomed as a protector of the nascent village, and in time numerous testimonies of favors and miracles attributed to her intercession were spread, which gave rise to the fame of the place as a Marian sanctuary. The local devotion to the "Virgin Morena" - as it is popularly called - was growing to attract pilgrims from various points in the Tolima and other regions of Colombia.

Main data

Origin and history

According to tradition, the image of Our Lady of the Carmen of Apicalá began to be venerated towards 1827‑1828, when in the area a house was formed around a small chapel raised by the inhabitants and workers of the region. In this context, the Virgin of Carmen was welcomed as a protector of the nascent village, and in time numerous testimonies of favors and miracles attributed to her intercession were spread, which gave rise to the fame of the place as a Marian sanctuary. The local devotion to the "Virgin Morena" - as it is popularly called - was growing to attract pilgrims from various points in the Tolima and other regions of Colombia.

As for the documented history, the sources point out that the Virgin of Carmen of Apicalá is patron of the three dioceses of the Department of Tolimawhere the municipality of Carmen de Apicalá is located. On 1 March 1934the then cardinal Eugenio Pacelli (future Pope Pius XII) and Pope Pío XI They ordered the coronation of the image, according to the existing Marian rules. From that ecclesial impulse, the temple was consolidated as a sanctuary and, after the required process and the approval of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, was declared National Sanctuary Our Lady of the Carmen of Apicalá About 25 years ago (late 20th century).

The image and the sanctuary

The news sources point out that this is a image of the Virgin Mary in her advocation of Mount Carmelowith the Child Jesus in his arms, venerated as "Virgin of the Carmen of Apicalá." It is described as a “Virgen Morena”, an expression that refers to the tone of the size and the popular character of devotion. There are no precise and verifiable data on the image material or a detailed technical description of the iconography (school, author, exact date of realization, etc.) in the sources consulted. no constan for sure.

The temple where it is venerated bears the official name of National Sanctuary Our Lady of the Carmen of Apicalá, located in the municipality of Carmen de Apicalá, department of Tolima, and belongs to the Diocese of El Espinal. The church, in addition to its parish character, is recognized as Marian national sanctuarybut it does not know that it has the title of a minor basilica. Descriptions of visitors indicate that the interior has a large two-story altarwho is accessed by a double step, in whose center is the image of the Virgin of Carmen, which is the devotional focus of the sanctuary. The temple's environment and infrastructure are aimed at welcoming the many pilgrims who arrive throughout the year.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Carmen of Apicalá is recognized as patron of the three dioceses of the department of Tolima, reality confirmed by the bishop of El Espinal and collected in the Catholic press. At the local level, the advocation is also a patron of the municipality of Carmen de Apicaláwhich takes its name precisely from the Virgin of Carmen. In addition, in Colombia, the Virgin of Carmen, in general, is widely venerated as the patron of various trade unions (especially transporters) and armed forces, a devotion that also has an impact on this particular sanctuary.

As for the canonical coronationthe 1 March 1934 el cardenal Eugenio Pacelli and the Pope Pío XI They ordered the coronation of the image of the Virgin of the Carmen of Apicalá and the Child Jesus. The solemn execution of this coronation was held in 1942in an act that brought together more than 15,000 pilgrims and several bishops, after a previous tour of the image in the diocese. The crown was made thanks to the jewels donated by numerous devout families. Therefore, Yes it is a documented canonical coronation, linked to the pontificate of Pius XI.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of the Carmen of Apicalá is celebrated the 16 July, in tune with the liturgical feast of the Virgin of Carmen. On that day, the sanctuary organizes an intense schedule of Eucharist - coming to a Mass every hour - to host the continuous flow of faithful. At the civil and cultural level, in the municipality, employers' parties and activities are held between the 14 and 21 Julyin honor of the Virgin of Carmen.

The sanctuary is an important Marian pilgrimage center in Colombia. We speak of a devotion of almost two centurieswith a sustained growth in the influx of pilgrims. At the 1942 coronation more than 15,000 people were gathered, a significant figure for the time. Today, the arrival of many faithful from the three Dioceses of Tolima and from other parts of the country is expected every year, including many transporterswho have welcomed the Virgin of Carmen as a patron for the protection they attribute to her in her daily work. There is also a frequent presence of promises, offerings and exvotes, as well as processions and acts of consecration to the Heart of Jesus and to the Virgin, according to the pastoral activity of the sanctuary.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not mention a specific practice of the Rosary or exclusive of the advocation of Our Lady of the Carmen of Apicalá (for example, a fellowship of the Rosary itself or a peculiar way of praying it); therefore, that particular bond no consta of documented manera.

However, in the framework of Marian and Carmelite spirituality, the Rosary is part of the usual piety of the faithful who come to the sanctuary. As in other Marian shrines, the Rosary accompanies processions, vigil and pilgrimages, helping to contemplate the mysteries of Christ in the hand of Mary. In the case of the Virgin of Carmen, devotion closely linked to evapulario and to trust in the maternal protection of Mary, the prayer of the Rosary is understood as a simple and constant way to perseverar en la graciato imitate the virtues of the Virgin and to unite personal suffering and hope with the mysteries of the life, death and resurrection of the Lord. Thus, even if there is no rosarian rite of Apicalá, the Rosary is naturally integrated into the spiritual life of those who come to this Marian national sanctuary.