Anecdotes about the Virgin Mary

"Our Lady of the Desert of Chapi"

Polobaya, Arequipa (Peru)

In the district of Polobaya, in the arid countryside surrounding Arequipa, stands the sanctuary of the Virgin of Chapi, also known as Our Lady of the Purification of Chapi, a liturgical title linked to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It is one of the most beloved Marian devotions in southern Peru, within the Archdiocese of Arequipa, and the faithful affectionately call her "Mamita de Chapi" (Little Mother of Chapi).

The most moving aspect of this devotion is the pilgrimage. Every May 1st, thousands of Arequipans walk long stretches of desert and ravine to reach the sanctuary, in one of the largest pilgrimages in the country. Walking under the sun, at night and in the early morning, carrying promises, is an essential part of how this community loves its Virgin.

Regarding the specific origins of the cult and the stories surrounding its image, the various sources do not always agree on dates and details, so caution is advised: many aspects of the devotion's beginnings are rooted in local tradition rather than archival documentation, and where there is no certainty, it is honest to say that it is not documented. What is clear and widely attested, however, is the enduring presence of the sanctuary in Polobaya, its connection to the Archdiocese of Arequipa, and the enormous annual pilgrimage.

As in all Marian devotions in Peru, the recitation of the Rosary accompanies the pilgrimage and the celebrations of the sanctuary, although there is no single episode that specifically links the origin of Chapi with the Rosary; the link is that of ordinary Marian piety, lived with intensity by the pilgrims.