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Summary
The first apparition of the Virgin Mary was in the forest where the Cospes had fled, on September 8, 1652, when the Virgin appeared to the Cacique (ruler) of the Cospes Coromoto and his wife, saying in his own language: "Go to the white house and ask them to pour water into their head to go to heaven"; then, the Virgin asked him and his tribe to be baptized. |
Timeline
| 1591 |
When the city of Guanare (capital of Portuguesa state) was founded, the Indian tribe who inhabited the region, the Cospes, fled to the north jungle. Then the evangelization of that lands began. |
| September 8, 1652 |
The first apparition of the Virgin Mary was in the forest where the Cospes had fled, when the Virgin appeared to the Cacique (ruler) of the Cospes Coromoto and his wife, saying in his own language: "Go to the white house and ask them to pour water into their head to go to heaven"; then, the Virgin asked him and his tribe to be baptized. |
September 16, 1652 |
According to the oral tradition, Cacique Coromoto told the encomendero don Juan Sánchez about this vision, saying that after eight days of a brief teaching of cathecism, the entire tribe would had been ready to receive baptism.
Several indigenous Cospes converted and were baptized, but not the chief, because he did not feel at ease: under a new religion he feared not to be recognized as the legitime chief. Indian Chief Coromoto fled, and took refuge in the forest, the Virgin appeared to him again, and Chief Coromoto, blinded by anger, raised his arm to order the apparition to grab and go. This appearance was confirmed by a miraculous mark made of wood fibers, which were then searched and found. The relic is venerated today in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Coromoto.
Cacique Coromoto told the story that he was bitten by a poisonous snake and returned to Guanare wounded and near death, and began to ask in order to receive baptism, which was administered in Barinas region. He got baptized, became an apostle of Christianism and asked the remant of the group of rebel Cospes Indian under his command to be baptized. |
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Then, after several years, the Chief Coromoto, now with the Christian name of Angel Custodio, died of old age. |
1698 |
The appearance of "Our Beloved Lady" was recognized by the Church. |
1942 |
She was declared by the archbishop of Venezuela Mother Protectress of Venezuela |
| 1944 |
Pope Pius XII declared her the Patroness of Venezuela. |
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Pope John Paul II was crowned the image in his visit to the Marian shrine in Guanare. |
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Pope Benedict XVI elevated the National Shrine of Our Lady of Coromoto to the rank of Minor Basilica. |
Messages
On September 8, 1652, when the Virgin appeared to the Cacique (ruler) of the Cospes Coromoto and his wife, saying in his own language: "Go to the white house and ask them to pour water into their head to go to heaven";
Approval
In 1698 the appearance of "Our Beloved Lady" of Covadonga was recognized by the Church. In 1944, Pope Pius XII declared Our Lady of Coromoto the Patroness of Venezuela. Pope John Paul II crowned the image in his visit to the Marian shrine in Guanare, and Pope Benedict XVI elevated the National Shrine of Our Lady of Coromoto to the rank of Minor Basilica.
The feast of Our Lady of Coromoto – Queen of Venezuela is February 2nd .
Prayer
Beautiful Lady Mary, Virgin Mother of the Redeemer, with you we praise and glorify the Father in the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. We beseech you that, just as in Coromoto you guided the steps of the Indians towards the baptismal grace, you may now capture the heart of the
Venezuelans, and bring them to the renewal of their faith.
Virgin of Coromoto, patron of Venezuela, bless the evangelistic action of the Church in our Country so that she might be fortress and defense of the faith of your children, and beginning of a renewal of the Christian customs.
Source: International Marian Research Institute
Links
Official website of the Virgin of Coromoto
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