November 18: The Rosary Virgin of Chiquinquira, Columbia (1555) Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is the Queen and Patroness of Columbia. Chiquinquirá, which means "land of fog and swamps", is located in the Department of Boyacá, in the Andes, more than 2,000 meters above sea level.The history of the shrine is connected to a painting of the Virgin Mary and dates back to 1560. Before being sold to a private individual, the painting had been commissioned by the Spanish Dominicans, with the intention of encouraging the faith of the Native Americans and the colonists. It was displayed in a chapel, and with the passing of time, the painting deteriorated; in the end, only the frame with a very faded image of the Virgin Mary was left hanging on the wall.Several years later, the image of the Virgin Mary reappeared as if it had been restored, and thus began the series of miracles that followed, which were attributed to Mary. The miracle of "the recovered image" is the name given to the first miracle of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá.The Virgin is depicted on a linen canvas, a little more than 2 meters wide. The frame contains plaques that reproduce the national coat of arms, as well as those of the Columbian dioceses of the Dominican Fathers. The canvas was made by the Koka Native Americans.The eyes of the Virgin Mary are half-opened, and her face is turned toward her Son. The Child has in His right hand a thread, which is attached to a small bird's foot. Mary has on a white veil and is holding a coral rosary in her left hand. Two figures stand at her side: the Apostle St. Andrew and St. Anthony of Padua.The painting of the Virgin belongs to a type called "Odigitria", that is, where Mary is holding and pointing to the Child Jesus. It is one of Columbian art's oldest pieces from the colonial period, and inaugurated a new iconographic style of painting Our Lady of the Rosary.For more than 450 years, this linen canvas has survived much mishandling. It is believed that it was even used to dry wheat out in the sun. Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is also honored in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and in Guatemala.On some occasions, the painting of Mary was brought to the city of Bogotá, located 100 km to the south, to ask God for peace or to bring an end to an epidemic. The last time the painting was moved in this manner was in 1999.The Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is entrusted to the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominican Order. Pope John Paul II visited this shrine in 1986.Prayer:Oh incomparable Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, Mother of God, Queen of the Angels, advocate of sinners, refuge and consolation of the afflicted.Holy Mary, full of power and kindness, look benevolently upon us and assist us in all the difficult situations that we face

November 18: The Rosary Virgin of Chiquinquira, Columbia (1555) Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is the Queen and Patroness of Columbia. Chiquinquirá, which means "land of fog and swamps", is located in the Department of Boyacá, in the Andes, more than 2,000 meters above sea level.The history of the shrine is connected to a painting of the Virgin Mary and dates back to 1560. Before being sold to a private individual, the painting had been commissioned by the Spanish Dominicans, with the intention of encouraging the faith of the Native Americans and the colonists. It was displayed in a chapel, and with the passing of time, the painting deteriorated; in the end, only the frame with a very faded image of the Virgin Mary was left hanging on the wall.Several years later, the image of the Virgin Mary reappeared as if it had been restored, and thus began the series of miracles that followed, which were attributed to Mary. The miracle of "the recovered image" is the name given to the first miracle of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá.The Virgin is depicted on a linen canvas, a little more than 2 meters wide. The frame contains plaques that reproduce the national coat of arms, as well as those of the Columbian dioceses of the Dominican Fathers. The canvas was made by the Koka Native Americans.The eyes of the Virgin Mary are half-opened, and her face is turned toward her Son. The Child has in His right hand a thread, which is attached to a small bird's foot. Mary has on a white veil and is holding a coral rosary in her left hand. Two figures stand at her side: the Apostle St. Andrew and St. Anthony of Padua.The painting of the Virgin belongs to a type called "Odigitria", that is, where Mary is holding and pointing to the Child Jesus. It is one of Columbian art's oldest pieces from the colonial period, and inaugurated a new iconographic style of painting Our Lady of the Rosary.For more than 450 years, this linen canvas has survived much mishandling. It is believed that it was even used to dry wheat out in the sun. Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is also honored in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and in Guatemala.On some occasions, the painting of Mary was brought to the city of Bogotá, located 100 km to the south, to ask God for peace or to bring an end to an epidemic. The last time the painting was moved in this manner was in 1999.The Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is entrusted to the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominican Order. Pope John Paul II visited this shrine in 1986.Prayer:Oh incomparable Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, Mother of God, Queen of the Angels, advocate of sinners, refuge and consolation of the afflicted.Holy Mary, full of power and kindness, look benevolently upon us and assist us in all the difficult situations that we face