Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá in Venezuela Date in the current year: November 18, 2024

The original image of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá dates back to the 16th century. It is kept in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá in the Colombian city of Chiquinquirá. The image portrays the Virgin Mary standing on a crescent moon, wearing a blue cloak and a white veil. She is holding the Christ Child, who has a rosary hanging from his left hand. On her right stands Saint Anthony of Padua, and on her left stands Saint Andrew the Apostle.

In the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá in Maracaibo, Venezuela, there is a later image of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, painted on wood. According to a local legend, it was found either in 1709 or 1749 by a local woman who was washing her clothes in Lake Maracaibo. The woman saw a small wooden tablet floating towards her, picked it up and took it home thinking that tablet might come in handy.

The next morning, she heard a knocking sound and strange noises from the room where she had left the tablet. The woman went over to see what was happening and was astonished to find the tablet shining bright, with the image of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá clearly visible on its surface. Since then, the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, also called La Chinita, has been the patroness of Maracaibo and the entire state of Zulia.

According to another legend, the government once tried to take image to the capital city of Caracas. However, as the soldiers tasked with moving the image tried to carry it out of the Basilica of Maracaibo, it got so heavy that no one could lift it. The image has been kept in the Basilica, completed in 1858, ever since.

The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá in Columbia is celebrated on July 9, because on this day in 1919, the canonical coronation of the original image of the Virgin of Chiquinquirá finally went into full effect. In Venezuela, however, it is observed on November 18, the alleged date of the miracle that happened to the woman.

Preparations for the celebration typically begin in late October. Downtown Maracaibo is decorated with festive lights that stay up until after Christmas, and local vendors participate in the annual Chinita’s fair. On October 27, the image of the Virgin is taken down from the altar and begins its tour throughout the state, returning to the Basilica in time for the religious festivities.

The Chinita’s fair culminates on November 17 and 18. Multiple parties and concerts begin in the afternoon of November 17, lasting until the wee hours of the morning. On November 18, many people attend the traditional baseball game and toros coleados, Colombian and Venezuelan equestrian competitions similar to rodeo.