Our Lady of Mount Carmel of La Legua, venerated in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of La Legua in Callao

Marian devotion of Callao (Callao)

La devoción a Our Lady of Carmen de la Lega is located in Callao and is linked to the old road that communicated Lima with the port, in a "strategic" and equidistant location between the two cities, according to the historical tradition disseminated by local sources. The date of arrival of the image not accurately recordedbut a very widespread tradition places it in 1606.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción a Our Lady of Carmen de la Lega is located in Callao and is linked to the old road that communicated Lima with the port, in a "strategic" and equidistant location between the two cities, according to the historical tradition disseminated by local sources. The date of arrival of the image not accurately recordedbut a very widespread tradition places it in 1606.

La documented history available from the sources consulted confirms, at least, that traditional dating of 1606, but in this case does not provide a complete historical file on the arrival or on the author of the image. The popular tradition, on the other hand, stresses that the sanctuary was a place of passage and prayer for the virkings who entered the port of Callao, which explains its early connection with the harbour world and the public life of the city.

The image and the sanctuary

The venerated advocation is an image of the Virgin of Carmen under the title of Virgen del Carmen de la Legua; the sources consulted do not contain a safe technical description of the material, the art school or the specific iconographic features of the size. These data should therefore be considered no constan if a strictly verified sheet is required.

Se venera en el Sanctuary of the Virgin of Carmen de la Lega, also referred to as Church Our Lady of Carmen de la Legain the Callao. The sources describe its location on the old real road, on a historical road linked to the transit between Lima and the port. In the documentation consulted no consta which has the status of a minor basilica; there is not, with sufficient clarity, an official designation as a national or diocesan sanctuary in the revised results.

Sponsorship and coronation

The diocese of Callao presents this advocation as Patrona del Callao. Other local and municipal sources also call it "Patrona del Callao." It can therefore be stated with documentary support that its main patronage is that of the Constitucional Province of Callao.

The Diocese of Callao indicates that it was “choronate solemnly” el 7 October 1940. In the information consulted no con seguridad the name of the Pontiff or of the delegate who presided over the coronation, so that data should be kept in reserve in a rigorous form.

Party and devotion

La main party se celebra el 16 July, traditional date of the Virgin of Carmen. The municipal press and the devotional pages of Callao point out that the traditional mass is held that day in honor of the Patrona del Callao.

Devotion has a mark harbour and family character. Local sources describe processions and expressions of popular religiosity that bring together entire generations, especially around the request for protection, family unity and protection for those living from the sea or the port. It also highlights the historical roots of the image in Callao and its proximity to the civic and maritime life of the city.

Link to the Rosary

In the sources consulted does not contain a specific historical link between this advocation and a unique practice of the Rosary different from common Marian devotion. However, like any Carmelite advocation, the Virgin of Carmen naturally integrates into the Marian spirituality of the Rosary, prayer that contemplates the mysteries of Christ with Mary and accompanies the popular piety of the Catholic people.

In a devotional statement, it can be expressed in a sober way that the Rosary is joined to this image as a Marian prayer of trust, petition and contemplation, especially appropriate for a patron saint associated with the protection of the seafaring people and the city of Callao.