Every November 18, Venezuelans celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, lovingly called La Chinita. She is the patroness of the state of Zulia and one of the most beloved Marian devotions in Venezuela and Colombia. Here is her story, how her feast is celebrated and how to honor her at home.
The Story of La Chinita
According to tradition, a humble woman named María Cárdenas was washing clothes on the shore of Lake Maracaibo when she found a small wooden board floating in the water. She took it home and used it to cover a water jar. On November 18, 1709, she heard knocking and saw the board glowing: the image of the Virgin of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá had appeared clearly on the wood. Her neighbors ran to see the miracle, and the little board soon became the center of a devotion that has lasted more than 300 years.
When the image was carried in procession toward the main church, the tradition says it became so heavy that it could not be moved past the church of San Juan de Dios. The faithful understood that she wanted to stay there, and that church is today the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá in Maracaibo. Her name, "La Chinita", is a sweet nickname for her dark, humble and maternal face.
A Devotion Shared by Colombia and Venezuela
The title "Chiquinquirá" comes from the town of Chiquinquirá in Boyacá, Colombia, where a faded painting of the Virgin of the Rosary was miraculously renewed in 1586. Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is the patroness of Colombia, and the devotion crossed into Venezuela with families, missionaries and traders. Today she unites Colombians and Venezuelans at home and in the United States, especially here in Miami.
How the Feast Is Celebrated
- La Bajada: in late October, the image is lowered from its altar in the Basilica so the faithful can see her up close.
- Feria de la Chinita: the whole month of November fills Maracaibo with processions, Masses and the famous gaitas zulianas, the traditional Christmas music of Zulia.
- November 18: the main feast, with the solemn Mass, the procession and countless families wearing her image and praying the Rosary.
A Prayer to Our Lady of Chiquinquirá
Most Holy Virgin of Chiquinquirá, Mother of God and our Mother, you who chose to appear on a humble board to show your love for the poor, look upon our families. Protect our homes, our children and our countries. Intercede for us before your Son Jesus, grant us peace and unity, and help us to pray the Rosary with faith. Amen.
Virgen de Chiquinquirá, Madre de Dios y Madre nuestra, ruega por nosotros. Amén.
Many families pray a novena in the nine days before the feast, from November 9 to November 17. You can follow the Novena a Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquirá or the Novena Bíblica a María Santísima del Rosario de Chiquinquirá.
Bring La Chinita Home
Our Our Lady of Chiquinquirá statue is one of the most loved images in our store. It is made in Colombia and hand-painted by the widows of Colombian violence, so every piece supports women rebuilding their lives. The crowned Virgin holds the crowned Child Jesus and a rosary, with a red robe, a deep blue mantle with gold trim and a crescent moon beneath her feet. It comes in 14" and 9" sizes and is a beautiful centerpiece for a home altar or a heartfelt gift for Venezuelan and Colombian families.
- Visit her in person at our Miami showrooms in Doral and Kendall, or order online.
- Complete your altar with a rosary, since she is the Virgin of the Rosary.
- See more Marian images in our Virgin Mary collection.
¡Feliz día de la Chinita! May Our Lady of Chiquinquirá bless every Venezuelan and Colombian family this November 18.
