Our Lady of Andacollo
Encyclopedia
Our Lady of Andacollo also known as the Virgin of Andacollo , is a celebrated Catholic image of the Virgin Mary
.
. Perhaps the image was left there by some soldier who had fled the destruction of La Serena
in 1549.
, the statue of Our Lady of Andacollo was solemnly crowned, having been venerated for more than four centuries in the town that bears her name. In recognition of devotion beyond the borders of Chile, Cardinal Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro decreed on June 15, 1899, in accord with the desires of Pope Leo XIII
, that the holy image at Andacollo would be "crowned with a crown of gold." In 1900, the Claretians
assumed leadership of the sanctuary and implemented the decree.
The royal jewels for the "Chinita," as the Virgin is called, and the Child Jesus
in her arms were entrusted to the prestigious Maison Biais of Paris. Local fundraising largely paid for the crown.
The town of Andacollo, with its verated image is visited by thousands from near and far, and is filled with colors, dances, and music performed by numerous Confraternities
and dance groups, whose principal function is to carry and accompany the holy image during solemn processions.
Four churches have been built on the site to the Virgin. One was constructed in the 16th century, and another in the 17th century, but it only lasted until 1776. The third church was constructed in the 18th century, having undergone numerous repairs after earthquakes. In this church resides the image of the Virgin most of the year. Finally, between 1873 and 1893 a new church was constructed which has been declared a Minor basilica
by Pope John Paul II
in 1998.
Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
Roman Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based on Holy Scripture: In the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a virgin. The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through Mary thus signifies her honour as Mother of God...
.
Origins
Our Lady of the Rosario of Andacollo is the only distinctly Chilean term for the Virgin Mary. The image dates back to a small statue found by an indigenous person near the mines of Andacollo at the beginning of the Conquest of ChileConquest of Chile
The Conquest of Chile is a period in Chilean historiography that starts with the arrival of Pedro de Valdivia to Chile in 1541 and ends with the death of Martín García Óñez de Loyola, in the Battle of Curalaba in 1598 or alternatively with the Destruction of the Seven Cities. This was the period...
. Perhaps the image was left there by some soldier who had fled the destruction of La Serena
La Serena
La Serena is a city and commune in northern Chile, capital of the Coquimbo Region. Founded in 1544, it is the country's second oldest city after the national capital, Santiago, located to the south. It has a communal population of 190,716 area, the country's fourth largest conurbation La Serena...
in 1549.
Veneration
On December 26, 1901, by decree of the Holy SeeHoly See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, the statue of Our Lady of Andacollo was solemnly crowned, having been venerated for more than four centuries in the town that bears her name. In recognition of devotion beyond the borders of Chile, Cardinal Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro decreed on June 15, 1899, in accord with the desires of Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
, that the holy image at Andacollo would be "crowned with a crown of gold." In 1900, the Claretians
Claretians
The Claretians, a community of Roman Catholic priests and brothers, were founded by Saint Anthony Claret in 1849. They strive to follow their founder's “on fire” example and help wherever they are needed. Their ministries are highly diverse and vary depending on the needs of the area. They focus...
assumed leadership of the sanctuary and implemented the decree.
The royal jewels for the "Chinita," as the Virgin is called, and the Child Jesus
Child Jesus
The Child Jesus represents Jesus from his Nativity to age 12. At 13 he was considered to be adult, in accordance with the Jewish custom of his time, and that of most Christian cultures until recent centuries.The Child Jesus is frequently depicted in art, from around the third or fourth century...
in her arms were entrusted to the prestigious Maison Biais of Paris. Local fundraising largely paid for the crown.
The town of Andacollo, with its verated image is visited by thousands from near and far, and is filled with colors, dances, and music performed by numerous Confraternities
Confraternity
A confraternity is normally a Roman Catholic or Orthodox organization of lay people created for the purpose of promoting special works of Christian charity or piety, and approved by the Church hierarchy...
and dance groups, whose principal function is to carry and accompany the holy image during solemn processions.
Four churches have been built on the site to the Virgin. One was constructed in the 16th century, and another in the 17th century, but it only lasted until 1776. The third church was constructed in the 18th century, having undergone numerous repairs after earthquakes. In this church resides the image of the Virgin most of the year. Finally, between 1873 and 1893 a new church was constructed which has been declared a Minor basilica
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in 1998.
Buildings for devotion
- The Basilica of Our Lady of Andacollo, the shrine founded in Andacollo, ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
- Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Andacollo, SantiagoParroquia Nuestra Señora de Andacollo, SantiagoParroquia de Nuestra Señora de Andacollo, Santiago is Catholic parish in Santiago, Chile dedicated to Our Lady of Andacollo. The parish shares the same city block with Colegio de Nuestra Señora de Andacollo, a school administered, like the parish, by the Congregation of Holy Cross...
, Chile - Colegio de Nuestra Senora de Andacollo (Santiago), Chile