Our Lady of Transit, head of the city of Chiquimula

Marian devotion of Chiquimula (Chiquimula)

La devoción a Our Lady of Transit in Chiquimula is linked to the ancient colonial image of the Virgin of Transit, whose veneration is linked to the religious history of the city and its subsequent transfer from the call Iglesia Vieja to the present temple - cathedral - sanctuary. Local tradition presents this advocation as Chiquimula's main patron, in continuity with a devotional memory that has been rooted since colonial times.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción a Our Lady of Transit in Chiquimula is linked to the ancient colonial image of the Virgin of Transit, whose veneration is linked to the religious history of the city and its subsequent transfer from the call Iglesia Vieja to the present temple - cathedral - sanctuary. Local tradition presents this advocation as Chiquimula's main patron, in continuity with a devotional memory that has been rooted since colonial times.

In the documentation disseminated by accessible online sources, at least one specific historical reference appears: the image was already linked to Chiquimula in 1776when, according to a traditional and photographic review, the mayor is mentioned Don Antonio de Ugarte in relation to his story. However, for a more precise chronology of the origin of the image, its transfer and its current entronization, no consta in the sources consulted a complete and verifiable documentary sequence; therefore, these details should be distinguished as local tradition more than as a fully documented story.

The image and the sanctuary

The venerated image is a escultura colonial de Our Lady of Transit; available sources describe it as an ancient image of Marian devotion, without providing with safety sufficient technical data on material, authorship or polychrome. In the iconography of the Transit or Sleep, Mary usually represents herself at the end of her earthly life, associated with the mystery of her glorification; however, in the sources consulted no constan specific iconographic details of the chiquimultec image, so it should not be attributed unverified features.

The veneration takes place in the Sanctuary Cathedral of Our Lady of Transit, in Chiquimula, Guatemala, temple marked by local sources and of tourist reference as sanctuary / cathedral of the advocation. The available descriptions are presented with arquitectura colonial típica; no consta in the sources consulted which are minor basilica, national sanctuary or diocesan sanctuary with that specific legal title.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Transit is recognized as head of the city of Chiquimula. In the sources consulted no consta a diocesan or national patronage formally documented for this advocation in the revised material.

With regard to a solemn coronation, does not contain a documented canonical coronation in the verified sources for this image of Chiquimula.

Party and devotion

The main fiesta if it celebrates to 15 Augustthe date that coincides with the Marian solemnity of the Assumption and the traditional use of the title of Transit of Mary in the popular liturgical calendar. The sources consulted confirm this time reference, but no aportan a detailed festive programme and verifiable flow figures.

Devotion is expressed in the cathedral-sanctuary through Eucharistic celebrations, holy hours and ordinary veneration of the image, according to recent public records of the sanctuary itself. Out of that data, no consta In the revised sources a documented description of mass pilgrimages, specific miracles or specific popular traditions associated with this chimimultec feast.

Link to the Rosary

In the sources consulted no consta a particular and exclusive historical association of this advocation with a Rosary fellowship or with a specific rosarian privilege. Even so, the Rosary naturally accompanies this devotion because it contemplates, in the glorious mysteries, the glorification of Mary and directs Marian piety to Christ, so that the contemplation of the Transit or the Assumption finds in the Rosary a fully coherent theological and spiritual framework.