Virgin of the Rosary of Polloc, venerated in the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Rosary of Polloc

Marian title of La Encazada (Cajamarca)

The Virgin of the Rosary of Polloc is the Marian advocation venerated in the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Rosary, located in the town center The Rosary of Polloc, La Encazada district, Cajamarca province, Peru. The very name of the town center refers to its Patrona, the Virgin of the Rosary. Historically, Polloc was once a farm of peasants; over time, the presence of the Marian image and the growing devotion gave rise to the construction of a small church, which was later replaced by the present sanctuary.

Main data

Origin and history

The Virgin of the Rosary of Polloc is the Marian advocation venerated in the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Rosary, located in the town center The Rosary of Polloc, La Encazada district, Cajamarca province, Peru. The very name of the town center refers to its Patrona, the Virgin of the Rosary. Historically, Polloc was once a farm of peasants; over time, the presence of the Marian image and the growing devotion gave rise to the construction of a small church, which was later replaced by the present sanctuary.

NUCANIA / LEADENDA. The local tradition states that, when Polloc was still a farm, there was a spring to which the workers came to collect water for consumption, livestock and chakras. According to the story, one day the peasants saw a "beautiful lady, with light skin and blue eyes, "who then related to the Virgin. Impressed by this presence, the owner of the estate ordered to build a small church of land and strawwhere the peasants began to pray to "this Lady," thus beginning the celebration of the feast in honor of the Virgin of the Rosary. This account belongs to the field of popular piety y does not appear as historically documented hecho.

HISTORIA DOCUMENTADA. In the year 2009 the restoration and transformation of the temple in the present Virgin of the Rosary Sanctuary, driven by the parish priest of Polloc, the father Alessandro Facchiniwith the support of the Bishop of Cajamarca, Mons. José Carmelo Martínez Lazaro. From then on, the project was developed to cover the sanctuary with mosaics and contemporary sacred art, making it a prominent religious and tourist reference in Cajamarca. They do not contain, in accessible sources, older documented dates on the canonical erection of the sanctuary or on the precise historical origin of the image, beyond the above-mentioned tradition.

The image and the sanctuary

The sources consulted present a lot of information about the sanctuary and its decoration, but do not provide a detailed, technical and secure description of the main image (type of size, material, author, measures). It is therefore not documented in the case of a full-size or dress image, nor its exact dating; these data are not explained in the revised public sources, and it is therefore only indicated that a image of the Virgin of the Rosary as the owner of the sanctuary and patron of the town centre.

El temple is known as Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Rosary o "Santuario Virgen del Rosario de Polloc." It is located in the town center The Rosary of Polloc, La Encazada district, Cajamarca province. It stands out for being a unique sanctuary whose interior and exterior decoration has been done almost entirely with the technique of mosaic, covering walls, columns, ceilings, floors and passageways with biblical scenes and religious motives. Several chronicles describe it as a "work maestra impresionante"and a" cariamarquin jewel "that marvel visitors.

The mosaics were made with the participation of artisans from Chacas (Áncash), aware of this technique applied to sacred art. The architectural and artistic project was promoted by Father Alessandro Facchini and an Italian congregation, with the intention of creating a sanctuary that would unite the Marian devotion with a contemporary sacred art.

As for its canonical range, sources simply mention it as "Santuario"without indicating the title of a minor basilica or its recognition as a national sanctuary. It is not recorded in the consulted sources that the temple has been declared minor basilicaor having an official title of National sanctuary; rather it is presented as diocesan or local shrinewithout explicit formal mention.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Virgin of the Rosary of Polloc is recognized as patron of the town center "El Rosario de Polloc"whose name was established in honor of this Marian advocation. The sources of news and tourist dissemination mention their importance as religious reference of the district of La Encazadabut no explicit statement has been found that the official patron of the district, the province or the diocese is designated; therefore, it can only be affirmed with certainty local patronage on the village center.

As regards a possible canonical coronation, the revised sources (press, local chronicles, outreach materials and networks linked to the sanctuary) do not mention any decree of pontifical or diocesan canonical coronationnor the participation of a pontifical delegate for such an act. Nor is a specific year of coronation indicated. Therefore, following the criterion of historical rigour:

Canon coronation: there is no documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

Local tradition states that, since the construction of the first chapel, the peasants "began to celebrate the feast in honor of the Virgin of the Rosary. "The information available, however, does not explicitly specify the exact date of the central day in Polloc. In the Roman liturgical calendar, the memory of Our Lady of the Rosary se celebra el 7 Octoberand it is common for many parishes and shrines dedicated to the Rosary to organize their parties around that date; however, for the specific case of Polloc, the sources consulted do not explicitly confirm if the main party is held on that day, on its novena, or on another particular date. Therefore, as regards the specific date:

– Date of the main party (central day): not documented in the sources consulted.

Chronicles and reviews highlight that the sanctuary has become an important pilgrimage center and devotional visitwho are both faithful from the rural area of La Encazada and visitors from Cajamarca and other regions, attracted by the beauty of the tempere and by devotion to the Virgin. It is noted that the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Rosary is the main attraction of the town centre, and that the inhabitants strongly recommend to visit the church, not only for its artistic value, but as a place of prayer and reconciliation.

The testimonies describe the sanctuary as a place of silence and peaceto the prayer, the celebration of Eucharist and the practice of confession. The inflow of the faithful is constant, although no official figures are available; it is mentioned that there is transport from Cajamarca and that the sanctuary is located at 30-45 minutes of the city, depending on the route. In the outer atrium or courtyard there is a small shop with objects of religious art, which indicates a sustained devotional and pilgrim life.

No detailed descriptions of specific processions, particular dances or customs of the party (such as carpets, fireworks or other expressions); only the existence of a annual holiday in honor of the Virgin of the Rosary, rooted in local popular religiosity.

Link to the Rosary

By the same name of the advocation, the Virgin of the Rosary of Polloc is intrinsically related to the Rosary like Marian prayer. The fact that the town center is called "The Rosary of Polloc" in honor of her patron saint, the Virgin of the Rosary indicates that