Missionary Virgin of Hope, diocesan patron saint of Maturín

Marian devotion of Maturín (Monagas)

La Virgin Missionary of Hope is a Marian advocation of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Maturín, Monagas State, Venezuelaand the call to the new evangelization in the east of the country. The diocesan tradition indicates that its history begins when an image of the Virgin was found burned in a dump in the municipality of Piar (Monagas) by the Jesuit priest Luis Herrera Alonso, then parish priest of Aragua of Maturin. This image was later restored and began to travel through various communities of the diocese, becoming a sign of spiritual renewal and hope for the people.

Main data

Origin and history

La Virgin Missionary of Hope is a Marian advocation of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Maturín, Monagas State, Venezuelaand the call to the new evangelization in the east of the country. The diocesan tradition indicates that its history begins when an image of the Virgin was found burned in a dump in the municipality of Piar (Monagas) by the Jesuit priest Luis Herrera Alonso, then parish priest of Aragua of Maturin. This image was later restored and began to travel through various communities of the diocese, becoming a sign of spiritual renewal and hope for the people.

From the perspective of the documented historythe sources coincide in some clear milestones: the advocation was officially linked to the diocese and, after a period of intense missionary activity with the pilgrim image, its canonical coronation was prepared, held 24 July 1990. The devotion was consolidated until, the 2 February 1995the image was moved to a chapel on the grounds of the current sanctuary in the sector Tipuroin Maturín, where today it is venerated in a stable way. These dates and facts are recorded in a co-incident manner in ecclesial and Catholic sources.

As for the symbolic and catechetical dimensionthe advocation is presented in the diocese as a sign of a "coming out" Church: the title "Mission of Hope" underlines Mary's vocation as the first evangelizing and model of all baptized, uniting the missionary dimension with the theological virtue of hope, especially significant for a people who see in this image a rebirth from the test. It is not clear that this advocation has previous origins or historical connection to other homonymous images in other countries; it is an advocation. and relatively recent, Monagas' own.

The image and the sanctuary

The descriptions agree that it is a imagen de heela mariana representing a woman with long hair in a prayer attitudethe exact material (wood, plaster or other) and all the original iconographic attributes are not accurately specified in the sources. Local tradition highlights the fact that it was an image burned and then restored, so its current appearance is marked by this process of rescue and renewal. In diocesan catechesis, the symbolism of an image that "emerged from the ashes," associated with Paschal experience and Christian hope, is emphasized.

The Missionary Virgin of Hope is to be venerated in the Marian Sanctuary of the Virgin Missionary of Hope, located in the sector Tipuro, city of Maturín, Monagas state. The temple is also known as Virgin Missionary Parish of Hope (Marian Sanctuary) and is a spiritual point of reference for the whole diocese. The sources consulted present it as diocesan Marian shrineit is not established that it has received the title of minor basilica nor that it has been declared a national sanctuary. The sanctuary is the usual venue for great Marian celebrations, Holy Week programs and pastoral activities linked to this advocation.

Sponsorship and coronation

La Virgin Missionary of Hope is recognized as patron of the Diocese of Maturín. This patronage is expressed in a special way in the diocesan parties and in the presence of their image in pastoral, social and missionary initiatives throughout the Monagas state.

As for the canonical coronation, the ecclesial and local press sources agree that the image was canonically crowned on 24 July 1990 by the then Bishop of Maturin, Antonio José Ramírez Salaverría, by the mandate of Pope John Paul II. The ceremony took place at a solemn mass held at the avenida Juncal de Maturínwith a great influx of faithful, the presence of the entire diocesan clergy and other priests and bishops from different dioceses of Venezuela. It is therefore a canonical coronation. documented and officially recognized.

Party and devotion

La main party of the Virgin Missionary of Hope is celebrated the 24 Julythe date that commemorates his canonical coronation and that has been established as the day of this advocation in the diocese. Around this date they are organized Novies, processions, solemn masses and pilgrimages to the shrine of Tipura, with the participation of the faithful of different municipalities of Monagas. The local press highlights the preparation for significant anniversaries, such as the 35th anniversary of the coronation, underlining the multitudinary and deeply devotional character of these celebrations.

The devotion to the Missionary Virgin of Hope is characterized by a strong accent misionero y socialIt is presented as an inspiration for pastoral initiatives, for accompanying the poor and for promoting hope in the midst of social and economic difficulties. The narrative of an image found in the waste, purified by fire and then honored as a diocesan patron has been deeply in popular piety, which sees in it a sign of comfort, renewal and trust in the intercession of Mary. No official influx figures are available, but sources mention a "massive" presence of the people in the great celebrations.

Link to the Rosary

It does not contain a specific or exclusive link of the advocation of the Virgin Missionary of Hope with a fellowship of the Rosary, a particular promise linked to the prayer of the Rosary or official title that directly relates it to this practice. The devotion has developed mainly around its character of diocesan patron and sign of mission and hope.

However, in the context of the Marian spirituality of the Church, the Rosary It is a regular place in the lives of the communities that come to the sanctuary. Although sources do not describe a rite of their own, it should be noted - as a general mariological reflection - that the prayer of the Rosary This advocation naturally accompanies: by meditating on the mysteries of Christ from the hand of Mary, the faithful find in the Missionary of Hope an encouragement for acoger el Evangelio, hold the hope in the midst of evidence and taking an attitude misioner in daily life. Where Mary is called "Missionary of Hope," the Rosary becomes a school of listening to the Word, of intercession for the needs of the people and of commitment to the new evangelization of the Venezuelan East.