- The commemoration of his figure is considered one of the main and largest celebrations that take place in Venezuela.
This note was originally published on September 8, 2023
Every September 8, millions of parishioners in Venezuela celebrate the Virgin of the Valley and they raise their petitions in difficult times. The patron saint of the seas and fishermen, as well as of the eastern region of Venezuela, is venerated in the states of Nueva Esparta, Monagas, Anzoátegui, Sucre, Delta Amacuro and Bolívar.
The devotion to Our Lady of the Valley originated after the arrival in Venezuela of an image of the Virgin that was in the hands of some Spaniards.
It was first located on Cubagua Island, the smallest of the three islands in the state of Nueva Esparta. The image was named La Purísima.
In 1542, a hurricane hit the island and destroyed everything in its path. However, the image miraculously remained undamaged and intact.
Some time later she was taken to Margarita Island, specifically to El Valle del Espíritu Santo, and it was there that she was renamed Virgen del Valle. Today her faithful devotees affectionately call her Vallita.
A people united around the Mother
Table of Contents
In the days leading up to the feast of the Virgin, Venezuelans usually pray a novena.
Every September 8, a procession is held in the town that welcomed her for the first time and a mass is celebrated in which all the bishops of the eastern part of the country gather.
For the natives in the eastern part of the country, Our Lady of the Valley is an icon of faith for whom special respect is shown, since she is part of the most deep-rooted customs and traditions in the region,” can be read on the website of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV).
Miracles attributed to the patron saint of the East
The first written testimony of a miracle attributed to the Virgin of the Valley dates back to 1608, during a drought that hit Margarita Island. It is said that when the devotion was brought to the wall of La Asunción, a rain fell that quenched the thirst of the inhabitants.
During the Battle of Matasiete that took place in La Asunción on July 31, 1817, it is said that a bullet hit General Juan Bautista Arismendi in the chest, but did not injure him because it was stopped by a medal of the Virgin of the Valley that he carried in the pocket of his uniform.
However, the most famous miracle of the Virgin was that of the pearl diver Domingo. It is said that the man dived into the sea in search of the precious stone but was stung by a stingray on the leg, which caused gangrene.
The fisherman’s wife prayed to the Virgin of the Valley and a few days later the fisherman’s leg was healed. Domingo promised the Virgin the first pearl he obtained when he returned to the sea.
Tradition says that he found an oyster at the bottom of the ocean that had a pearl inside shaped like a leg, which even showed the trace of the scar. The relic is in the Diocesan Museum of the Virgin of the Valley, Nueva Esparta.
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2024-09-08 18:19:14
Here are some relevant PAA (People Also Ask) questions for the title **”The Virgin of the Valley: A Symbol of Faith and Unity in Venezuela”**:
The Virgin of the Valley: A Symbol of Faith and Unity in Venezuela
Every September 8, millions of Venezuelans come together to celebrate the Virgin of the Valley, a revered figure in the country’s Roman Catholic tradition. This celebration is considered one of the largest and most significant in Venezuela, with devotees gathering from all over the country to pay homage to the patron saint of the seas, fishermen, and the eastern region of Venezuela.
Origins of the Devotion
The devotion to the Virgin of the Valley dates back to the arrival of an image of the Virgin Mary in Venezuela, brought by Spanish colonizers. Initially located on Cubagua Island, the smallest of the three islands in the state of Nueva Esparta, the image was named La Purísima. After a hurricane destroyed the island in 1542, the image miraculously remained undamaged, leading to its relocation to Margarita Island, where it was renamed Virgen del Valle.
A People United Around the Mother
Today, the Virgin of the Valley is an integral part of Venezuelan culture and identity. In the days leading up to the feast of the Virgin, Venezuelans pray a novena, seeking guidance and protection from the Virgin. On September 8, a grand procession is held in the town that first welcomed the Virgin, culminating in a mass attended by bishops from across the eastern region of the country.
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference (CEV) describes the Virgin of the Valley as an “icon of faith for whom special respect is shown, since she is part of the most deep-rooted customs and traditions in the region.” This sentiment is echoed by the millions of devotees who affectionately call her Vallita, demonstrating the enduring significance of the Virgin in Venezuelan life.
A Symbol of Hope and Unity
In a country facing significant challenges, the Virgin of the Valley remains a beacon of hope and unity. As Venezuelans face difficulties, they turn to the Virgin, seeking solace and protection. In a world marked by division and uncertainty, the Virgin of the Valley stands as a symbol of faith, a reminder of the enduring power of devotion and community.
Beyond Venezuela’s Borders
The Virgin of the Valley’s significance extends beyond Venezuela’s borders. In Catamarca, Argentina, the Virgin is also venerated, highlighting the transnational character of this devotion. Moreover, in the Los Roques Archipelago, a beautiful statue of the Virgin of the Valley can be found hidden in the sea, a testament to the creative ways in which the Virgin has been honored and revered.
Conclusion
The Virgin of the Valley is a powerful symbol of faith, hope, and unity in Venezuela. As millions of devotees come together to celebrate her feast, they demonstrate the enduring strength of Venezuelan culture and identity. Whether in Venezuela or beyond, the Virgin of the Valley remains an iconic figure, inspiring devotion and awe in those who reverence her.
References:
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VirgendelValle”>[3]
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1476113007/virgin-of-the-val
