Marian devotion
Virgen del Carmen de Maipu
Patrona and Queen of Chile
La Virgen del Carmen es venerada en Chile como Patrona y Reina de la nación. Su gran santuario es el Templo Votivo de Maipú, en la comuna santiaguina de Maipú, levantado en cumplimiento del voto que hizo Bernardo O’Higgins a la Virgen del Carmen por la independencia del país. En torno a esta advocación, ligada a los orígenes de Chile, el pueblo chileno reconoce a María como Madre y protectora.
Main data
Devoción central: Mary, under the title of Carmen, accompanies Chile from the origins of her independence and is honored as Queen and Mother of the Chilean people.
The vote of independence
La devoción de Chile a la Virgen del Carmen está unida al nacimiento del país como nación independiente. En 1818, el Capitán General y Director Supremo Bernardo O’Higgins hizo voto de erigir un templo en agradecimiento a la Virgen del Carmen por la victoria que aseguró la independencia de Chile. Por esos votos, el santuario recibió el nombre de «Votivo». El 15 de noviembre de 1818 se colocó y bendijo la primera piedra de la primitiva Capilla de la Victoria, en Maipú.
The Votive Temple of Maipu
The old church, which was raised with difficulties over decades, was inaugurated in 1892, but an earthquake in 1906 forced a new construction to think. In 1948, the Archbishop of Santiago, Monsignor José María Caro, ordered the beginning of the present sanctuary, according to the project of the architect Juan Martínez Gutiérrez. The new Votive Temple of Maipu was solemnly opened on 24 October 1974 and was consecrated the following month. In 1984 it was declared a historic monument and, in 1987, elevated to the dignity of basilica.
The venerated image
La imagen de Nuestra Señora del Carmen que se venera en el Templo es una talla de candelero, en madera, de escuela quiteña y época colonial, traída a Chile en 1785. Según la tradición, en la procesión que se hacía con ella por las calles de Santiago llegaron a participar próceres como Bernardo O’Higgins, Manuel Rodríguez y los hermanos Carrera. En 1945 la imagen fue donada al cardenal José María Caro y, desde 1948, recorrió todo Chile como la «Virgen Peregrina», hasta ser entronizada en el Templo de Maipú, aún en construcción.
Queen and Patron of Chile
On 3 April 1987, during his apostolic visit to Chile, John Paul II crowned the image as Queen and Patron of Chile, ratifying the decree of Pope Pius XI of 1923 which had given him such a distinction; in that same visit he gave the Temple the title of basilica. His feast is held on July 16, the day of the Virgin of Carmen. Every year, the Maipu shrine is a place of pilgrimage for the Chilean people, who come to honor their Mother and Queen.
Spiritual message of the Carmen de Maipu
The devotion to the Virgin of the Carmen of Maipu today speaks with simple words:
📿 Mary accompanies her people from the beginning. Chile recognizes it together with the very birth of the nation.
🙏 Mary collects the gratitude of a people. A vote of thanks became a sanctuary and a house of prayer.
👑 Mary is honored as Queen and Mother. Coronada Reina de Chile, is still a close mother of each child.
✝️ Mary always leads her Son. Under the scapular of Carmen, it leads us to meet Jesus.
Prayer to the Virgin of Carmen de Maipu
Virgin of Carmen, Queen and Mother of Chile:
You who have accompanied our country from the beginning,
Look with love to your children who come to your sanctuary.
Cover us with your scapular and your protection,
hold our faith and our hope,
and always take us by the hand of your Son Jesus.
Amen.
The Marian prayers and accompany your prayer with the Holy Rosary.
A flower for the Virgin
It offers a simple prayer to the Virgin of Carmen de Maipu. Pray a Hail Mary for Chile.
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