Our Lady of Sinché's Relief

Marian Advocation of Sinché (Sucre)

According to the local tradition, devotion to the Virgin of Help goes back to the early times of the people of Sinché and is linked to the protection of the Blessed Virgin in times of danger and need of the community, which is why she is called "of the Relief." This popular memory presents the Virgin as the constant amparo of the people and the origin of the main patron party, without documents that narrate a concrete "foundational miracle."

Main data

Origin and history

According to the local tradition, devotion to the Virgin of Help goes back to the early times of the people of Sinché and is linked to the protection of the Blessed Virgin in times of danger and need of the community, which is why she is called "of the Relief." This popular memory presents the Virgin as the constant amparo of the people and the origin of the main patron party, without documents that narrate a concrete "foundational miracle."

As for the documented historyit is known that the villa of San Luis de Sincé was founded in the 18th century and that, at least from 1860, the September 8 as "Relief Day," that is, the patron's feast in honor of the Virgin of Relief, coinciding with the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The local testimony itself recognizes that "there is no written testimony (...) since the Virgin of Help is the patron of Sinché," But it does record in writing the patronal celebration since that date.

The party has been consolidated as the maximum annual religious event of Sinchéaccompanied by nocturnal, processions and intense popular participation, until the parish temple is turned into a reference Marian sanctuary in the sucreña savannah.

The image and the sanctuary

La image of Our Lady of Sinché's Relief is a Marian size of type dress up, which presents the Virgin with the Child Jesus in arms, richly decorated with dresses, blankets and crown, according to the traditional Colombian use for patronal images. The picture available shows a package image, placed in an inner altarpiece, dressed in a clear robe and mantle, crowned, and with the Child also crowned, typical features of the "Socorro" and Marian patronage in the region. The exact material of the size (wood, plaster or other) no consta in the sources consulted.

The main place of worship is the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Relief, also known in some tourist listings such as "Marian Sanctuary - Nativity Church of the Virgin"located in the main square, in front of the park Simón Bolívar de Sincé. The temple is described as a Marian sanctuary that dominates the town square, with an imposing façade, and is the main spiritual and tourist reference point of the town. It is not recorded in the sources that the temple has been declared minor basilica ni National sanctuary; figure common Marian sanctuary in nivel municipal/diocesano.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Relief is recognized as patrona de Sincé, a title that is repeated in the municipal documentation, in the regional press and in the presentation of the sanctuary itself. The local authorities and the tourist and religious materials specifically mention it as "Virgen del Socorro, patron of Sinché Sucre." It does not officially include a diocesan or national patronage in the sources consulted.

As for the canonical coronation, the revised sources (official site of the municipality, regional press, diocesan dissemination and official networks of devotion) no registran and formal act of canonical coronation of the image. Accordingly, following the requested criterion: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of Relief in Sinché is celebrated the September 8, in coincidence with the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. This date is described as the most important employers' party of the municipality and "maximum event of the year." It is prepared with a novenario very careful, during which on the various nights artistic arrangements are made with Marian motifs and the attributes of the Virgin are highlighted.

On 8 September a Mass concelebrated at 10: 00 a.m., followed by a Solemn procession at 4: 00 p.m., which runs through the streets of Sinché and ends up taking several laps around the main park, where the image is acclaimed with white handkerchiefs, songs and pyrotechnic games. Chronicles and audiovisual reports point to a large influx of faithful, who fill the sanctuary and the streets, and set out the routes through which the procession passes, manifesting an intense and festive popular religiosity.

The devotion is also expressed in pilgrimages and romanies to the sanctuary, especially around the patron's feast, as well as in manifestations of popular piety during the year, such as visits to the temple, candles, flowers and acts of trust in the protection of the Virgin of Help.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not explicitly document a own or specific practice of the Rosary associated only with this advocation (for example, a Rosary fellowship with unique characteristics or an exclusive tradition linked to the title "Relief"). In the context of Colombian Marian piety, however, it is reasonable to assume - although it is not documented in a particular way for Sinca - that the pray the Rosary is a regular part of the celebrations of the novenary and of the spiritual preparation for the patron feast, as is the case in most Marian shrines of the country.

Even if there is no differentiated rosarian tradition, devotion to Our Lady of Relief naturally harmonizes with the Rosarywhich is a meditation of the mysteries of Christ from the hand of Mary. In a sanctuary where the Virgin is invoked as the protection and help of the people, the Rosary is presented as a privileged way to remain in a confident prayer, contemplating the life of the Lord next to the Mother who, in Sinché, is venerated as Help and patron of the community.