Today, August 2nd, is the day of Our Lady of the Angels, a national holiday.  The holiday is in honor of Costa Rica’s patron saint, La Negrite, with a national pilgrimage to Cartago.  On this day people crawl on their knees in a procession to Cartago.  People come to this particular city as it is home to the massive city church, Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles.  The church is home to a state of the Black Madonna or La Negrita.  She is known to have healing powers so many people who make the pilgrimage are either sick or are coming to get help from her powers. 

As the story goes, La Negrita appeared as a Juana Pereira, a young native girl in 1635.  She appeared next to a rock that is kept in the backroom of the Balsilica and is considered to be sacred and an object of inspiration.  Although it used to be in the exact location as it was years and years ago, it has since bee moved when the church was rebuilt.

Today, as many people gathered at the Basilica, Rafael Araya, was there on behalf of his eight day old son who was born with a paralyzed hand.  He, like many of the others that made the trek, is there to ask for the Virgin’s help. 

Just a note, many businesses will be closed today, but no worries there is still plenty to do.  In Heredia, there is a fair including a horse parade, concerts, and food at the Nursing Home Reina de Los Angeles, San Jose de la Montana that will last until August 5th. 

For more information go to Tico Times: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily.htm

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Filed under: Tico on August 2nd, 2007