- The bishop of Maturín, Enrique Pérez, will be in charge of officiating the mass | Photo: Final Version
On Saturday, October 26, the traditional descent of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, also known as La Chinita, who is the patron saint of the Zulia state, will take place. Priest Nedward Andrade, parish priest-rector of the Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Chiquinquirá, recently announced the schedule for the descent.
According to Andrade, the person in charge of officiating the mass on the day of the descent will be the bishop of Maturín (Monagas), Enrique Pérez, who was born in the city of Maracaibo.
“He is very happy and honored as a marabino to come to celebrate the Bajada this year,” he said in statements reported by the regional media Versión Final.
On Sunday, October 20, a mass was held in the Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Chiquinquirá. during the homily the mantles were blessed that will use the Marian invocation for these festivities.
Andrade also indicated that the apostolic nuncio, Monsignor Alberto Ortega, will be in charge of the solemn Eucharist. The mass will take place on November 18.
Schedule of the descent of La Chinita
According to the schedule announced by priest Nedward Andrade, the festivities will be as follows:
-Distribution of the pamphlets: on Friday, October 25, the church will carry out this action after finishing the 5:00 pm mass.
-Descent of the Virgin: will take place on October 26 at 5:00 pm in the small square of the Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Chiquinquirá, located in Maracaibo.
-La Chinita Procession: will take place on October 27 at 11:00 am on the Malecón de Maracaibo
-Bagpiper Tribute dedicated to the Virgin: will take place on November 8 at 5:00 pm in the small square of the Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Chiquinquirá.
-Solemn Eucharist: it will be held on November 18 at 5:00 pm in the small square of the basilica.
-Closing of the 2024 Patron Saint Festivities: it will take place on November 30 at 11:00 am with mass in the basilica. At 12:00 pm La Chinita will make one last tour of the Maracaibo streets, which is known as Aurora.
315 years of festivities dedicated to the Virgin of Chiquinquirá
Every November 18, thousands of people visit and gather at the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, in Maracaibo, to honor La Chinita. This virgin is a symbol of faith for the Zulians, whose connection with the virgin transcends religion and is deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the region.
The arrival of La Chinita to Maracaibo dates back to 1709, the date on which a group of women saw the image of this Marian devotion arriving floating on a wooden board in Lake Maracaibo.
Every year parishioners form long lines outside this church to leave offerings and perform acts of gratitude to the holy image for requests fulfilled.
At this time, tourist activity increases, because visitors from other regions and countries come to participate in this experience.
The celebration of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá does not coincide with the mythical La Chinita Classic. It is a game of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) in which the Águilas del Zulia dedicate the match in honor of the patron saint of the Zulians.
Related news
#Descent #Virgin #Chinita #schedule
