Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca, venerated in the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca, district of Yauca of the Rosary

Marian Advocation of Yauca del Rosario (Ica)

According to the tradition collected in local chronicles, in the early 18th century, in the desert pampa of Yauca (south-east of the city of Ica, Peru), some locals found among the bushes a small image of Our Lady of the Rosary with the Child Jesuswho had in his hands a born rosary. It is presumed that it had been forgotten by rivals from the saw that were lost in the Iberian desert. The narrative points out that in trying to move the image to Ica, it could not be raised, interpreting itself as a sign that it wanted to remain in that place; only after building a simple chapel and a prayer, the image was moved to its new home.

Main data

Origin and history

According to the tradition collected in local chronicles, in the early 18th century, in the desert pampa of Yauca (south-east of the city of Ica, Peru), some locals found among the bushes a small image of Our Lady of the Rosary with the Child Jesuswho had in his hands a born rosary. It is presumed that it had been forgotten by rivals from the saw that were lost in the Iberian desert. The narrative points out that in trying to move the image to Ica, it could not be raised, interpreting itself as a sign that it wanted to remain in that place; only after building a simple chapel and a prayer, the image was moved to its new home.

As for the documented history, a source cites a record signed by eyewitnesses that fixes the finding of the image 3 October 1701, with the names of Nicolás Ortega, Diego Gutiérrez and Francisco Córdova as witnesses. Other popular devotional presentations speak of 1700 or "early 18th century," without absolute precision. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca was consolidated as central devotion of the Ica regionwith the fame of many favors and healings, and it was having a growing flow of pilgrims, until it was recognized as the patron of the city and, later, of the diocese of Ica.

The image and the sanctuary

The venerated image is a small lump sculpture of the Virgin Mary under the title of the Rosary, with the Child Jesus in arms and a rosary born in hands. The sources describe a size of approximately 60 cm highplaced on the main altar of the sanctuary, highlighted by its simplicity and by the great number of exvotes and testimonies of gratitude surrounding it. The type of material is not explicitly detailed in the sources consulted; therefore, no consta with certainty the original material of the sculpture.

The main temple is known as Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca, built in the heart of the Ica desert, about 30 km south-east of the city of Ica. Its modern construction is due to the first bishop of Ica, Monsignor Francisco Rubén Berroa y Bernedotogether with the collaboration of thousands of devotees who contributed alms. The works began in December 1947 y se concluyeron en February 1951, resulting in a wide sanctuary to welcome the many pilgrims. The original image is preserved inside and, according to one of the chronicles, also a venerated replica on certain occasions. It is not clear, in the accessible sources, that the sanctuary has the title of minor basilica ni de National sanctuaryIt is usually designated as the Marian sanctuary of the diocese of Ica.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca is known and venerated as Patrona de Ica, a title that is reflected in popular devotion and religious acts of the city and the diocese. Various pastoral and devotional materials present it as "Queen and Lady of Ica" and "spiritual patron of the diocese of Ica."

As for the canonical coronation, sources indicate that the image was canonically crowned in August 1988, en el marco del First Mariano Eucharistic Congress, receiving the Gold crown of the Cardinal's Legacy Juan Landázuri Ricketts, Archbishop of Lima. This was done with the authorization of the Holy See, although the name of the Pontiff in the decree is not explicitly mentioned in the sources consulted; according to the date, the reigning Pope was San Juan Pablo II, but such a mention does not appear in accessible documents, so that the text of the Pontifical Decree is not included in the sources consulted.

Party and devotion

The main feast of the Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca is celebrated first Sunday of Octoberin the context of the month of the Rosary. Some chronicles place the finding 3 October, so that memory is spiritually associated with the festivity, although the most important liturgical and popular celebration is the said Sunday. The previous week is the traditional "swept" from the sanctuarya festive and devotional cleansing of the temple and its surroundings, understood as a gesture of interior and community preparation.

Every year, miles de devotos from the city of Ica, from different points of Peru and even from abroad, many of them in peregrinación a pie in the desert, walking several hours to the sanctuary. The party combines the celebration of the Eucharistthe prayer of the Rosary, processions with the image and various expressions of popular piety, in addition to some festive manifestations of the region. Some pastoral sources warn about the risk of defusing the party with profane excesses (alcohol, business), stressing the need to live it in a spirit of prayer and conversion.

Link to the Rosary

The relationship of this advocation with the Rosary is and essential: the image itself is that of the Our Lady of the Rosary, con un rosary born in her handsand the sanctuary has become a privileged place for the Community rezo of the Holy Rosary. During the month of October and on the holiday days, numerous solemn rosaries are organized, both in the sanctuary and in the city of Ica, and in digital media linked to devotion are transmitted Rosarios in honor of the "Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca."

Although no specific rules specific to this advocation are detailed, practice shows that the Rosary is the heart of devotionThose who pilgrim to Yauca often offer novies, Rosaries of thanks and pleas for the intercession of the Virgin. In this way, the road to Yauca is lived as a "walk with Mary" contemplating the mysteries of Christ, and the advocation of the Virgin of the Rosary of Yauca is fully part of the great tradition of the Church who sees in the Rosary a school of faith, conversion and subsidiary trust in the Mother of God.