This Sunday the image of the Divine Shepherdess She was transported in procession from her sanctuary located in the town of Santa Rosa (Lara state), to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Barquisimeto, where thousands of devotees received her full of emotion for the 166th visit of their patron saint.
From 11:20 in the morning the Divine Shepherdess of Souls began her journey, after a farewell mass was celebrated in Santa Rosa.
This year, the program established several stops before reaching the Metropolitan Cathedral of Barquisimeto and these were: Avenida Lara with Leones, Plaza Macario Yépez, Avenida Venezuela with Morán, Avenida Venezuela with Calle 26 and Barquisimeto Cathedral. In total, the pilgrimage counted 7.5 kilometers; At the end, the Marian dedication was received with applause, songs, prayers, flowers, candles and handkerchiefs. The plan is for it to continue its journey in the next 70 days to visit 62 parishes.
Since Saturday night, the faithful parishioners stood vigil in the town of Santa Rosa, in order to carry out the traditional pilgrimage in procession. And this Sunday, as part of the activities, professional and amateur athletes traveled 9 kilometers from El Obelisco de Barquisimeto to the town of Santa Rosa, in an act that represents the meeting of the athletes with the Divina Pastora.
For the safety of visitors, the Minister of the Interior and Justice, Remigio Ceballos, reported on the deployment of more than 10,000 officials.
Origin of devotion
Around the year 1740, the vicar of the church of the Immaculate Conception, located in Barquisimeto, wanted to incorporate an image of the Divine Shepherdess of Souls into his church. However, despite making the request, an error led to the image of the Immaculate Conception to the Concepción parish and the Divina Pastora to Santa Rosa.
When the parish priest realized what had happened, he ordered the transfer of the Marian image, but the box that carried the Virgin became very heavy and it was impossible to lift it.
The event was interpreted as a sign from heaven for the Divine Shepherdess to stay in Santa Rosa.
Another event that gave strength to the veneration of the Divine Shepherdess was the earthquake of 1812. When the temple of Santa Rosa completely collapsed, except for the niche where the virgin was located.
Later, in 1855, the cholera epidemic reached Barquisimeto and hundreds of people fell ill and many others died. Father Macario Yépez called for a prayer on January 14 in Tierritas Blancas, where the so-called “Salvation Cross” was located.
Yépez requested to bring the image of the Divina Pastora from Santa Rosa and that of the Nazarene from the church of La Concepción. The Nazarene arrived first and the people, on their knees, waited patiently for the arrival of the Divine Shepherdess.
When the two images were found, Father Yépez, accompanied by the priest José María Raldiriz, officiated at the ceremony while the parishioners implored the end of the epidemic.
They say that from that day on the epidemic began to lose its intensity and there were fewer victims.
Thousands of devotees participated in the Divina Pastora procession. The central mass was packed with parishioners.
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