Our Lady of Carmen de Boa Vista

Marian title of Boa Vista (Roraima)

No specific historical documentation on the advocation of Our Lady of Carmen de Boa Vista in the department of Roraima (Colombia). It does not consist of official sources of dioceses, sanctuaries, or regular repertories of Marian advocations recognized at national or international level.

Main data

Origin and history

No specific historical documentation on the advocation of Our Lady of Carmen de Boa Vista in the department of Roraima (Colombia). It does not consist of official sources of dioceses, sanctuaries, or regular repertories of Marian advocations recognized at national or international level.

The city of Boa Vista, capital de Roraimais known in the sources consulted as part of the North Region of Brazil, not from Colombia, and the Marian Patron linked to the diocese of Roraima is referred to as Our Lady of Carmo (Virgen del Carmen)without further historical details about a differentiated local advocation. There is no tradition of apparitions or a foundational account of "Our Lady of the Carmen of Boa Vista" that distinguishes it from the universal Carmelite advocation.

Since Virgin of Carmen is an advocation widely spread in Latin America, its presence in the Amazon region responds, with high probability, to the expansion of Carmelite devotion and scapular brought by missionaries and religious orders, as has happened in many other places in Latin America. This explanation, however, is of a general nature and does not have a specific source for Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia); therefore, for this specific advocation it must be stated: does not contain a documented history of its own.

The image and the sanctuary

The sources consulted do not provide a precise description of the concrete image de Nuestra Señora del Carmen venerada en Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia): no account size type (wood, plaster, resin, etc.), and its height, no specific iconographic details (child position, prominent scapular presence, crown, etc.). In the absence of data, it can only be noted that the traditional iconography of Virgin of Carmen usually represent it with the Child Jesus in arms and the scapulario del Carmen in one or both hands, but no consta that the image of Boa Vista responds exactly to this model.

Nor has verifiable reference been found to a "Christ Redeemer Cathedral / Carmo Church" in Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia) as a Marian sanctuary specifically recognized for this advocation, nor mention of its rank as minor basilica, national or diocesan sanctuary. It does not, therefore, contain an official declaration that elevates the main temple of the city or of the diocese to the rank of Marian sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmen for the northern Amazon end.

As a result, only the following can be strictly stated: does not contain a documented description of the image or the specific Marian shrine of Our Lady of Carmen de Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia) in accessible sources.

Sponsorship and coronation

The sources consulted on Marian advocacy and local patronings do not expressly mention the Our Lady of Carmen de Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia) how patron of the city or a Colombian diocese. The information available refers, rather, to the patterns of the Virgin of Carmen in general (e.g., patron of sailors, from some specific countries or cities, etc.), without specific reference and documented to Boa Vista in Colombian territory.

No mention of a canonical coronation of this advocation, neither in diocesan documentation, nor in holy databases, nor in repertory of Marian coronations. It should therefore be clearly stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation for Our Lady of Carmen de Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia).

Party and devotion

La universal liturgical feast of Our Lady of Carmen in the Catholic Church the 16 July. This date is common to all communities where the Virgin of Carmen is venerated, and in all likelihood it is also the day when it is celebrated where she receives the title of Our Lady of Carmo / Nuestra Señora del Carmenincluding the Amazon region. However, no consta in the sources a direct and specific reference that documents the celebration of July 16 as the patron party of Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia), with particular procession or liturgical status.

As regards pilgrimages, inflow of faithful or popular traditions (river processions, special novenas, promises, etc.) specifically linked to Our Lady of Carmen de Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia), no documented data in the sources consulted. In the absence of specific information, it is not possible to strictly describe local devotional practices.

It can be said, in general terms, about the Virgin of Carmenthat his devotion is associated in many places with the use of evapularioand a strong sense of maternal protection of Mary, but these features are of a general nature and not specifically documented for Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia).

Link to the Rosary

Not found in the sources consulted specific and documented relationship between the advocation of Our Lady of Carmen de Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia) y el prayer of the Rosary (for example, local co-fradies of the Rosary, specific promises to pray to this image, or own parties linked to the Rosary).

From a general Marian perspective, the Virgin of Carmen is closely linked to the life of prayer of the Church and, in particular, to the contemplative spirituality of Carmel. The Rosary It is one of the most widespread forms of Marian prayer throughout the Church and naturally accompanies any devotion to Mary, including that of Carmen. Where the Virgin of Carmen is venerated, the rosary is usually:

– una frequent prayer in novies and parties preparatorias al 16 de julio; – un medio para to meditate on the mysteries of Christ with Mary, en sintonía con la espiritualidad carmelitana de contemplación; – una forma sencilla de mantener, en la vida cotidiana de los fieles, una subsidiary relationship with the Mother of God.

Therefore, although no particular and documented link del Rosario with Nuestra Señora del Carmen de Boa Vista (Roraima, Colombia), it can be said that the prayer of the Rosary fully harmonizes with this advocation and is a privileged way to join the maternal intercession of Mary under the title of Carmen.