Virgen de la Candelaria

Every year on February 2 is celebrated worldwide the day of the Virgin of La Candelaria, venerated also in our country Venezuela, so much so that in honor of its name there are several towns in the interior of the country that bear his name.
Its tradition is based on the history of the Canary Islands, in Spain, but with much more precision to the Island of Tenerife, since the legend tells that in this place the Holy Virgin appeared.

It is called Virgen de la Candela, or de la Candelaria, because the image has always had the baby Jesus in the right hand, and in the left a Candela.

The procession or cult to the Virgin of La Candelaria is represented by the light of its flame that emanates the candles and that represent the culmination of the Catholic cycle of purification that begins on December 24 of each year.

The original size was in the Basilica of La Candelaria, on the island of Tenerife, but disappeared after a gale that occurred on the island, today in the Basilica there is a replica.

Veneration in our country Venezuela.

The origins of the arrival of the Marian invocation of the Virgin of Candelaria to Venezuela date back to the last third of the seventeenth century, in which a considerable number of families of Canarian origin move to these lands, where they will spread admiration to their Patroness .
In the first third of the 19th century, commissioned by the Matos Gutiérrez family, the first image of the Candelaria came from the Canary Islands to the Parroquia. It is said that Toco Ragüita was bought, about 115 years ago, and moved to Valle de la Pascua (Guárico) on a mule.
This colonial image, replica of the one venerated in Tenerife, is transferred to the parish church, now the Cathedral of Valle de la Pascua, and is venerated in the chapel to the left of the main altar.
Solemn Eucharist

On February 2, the day of the Virgen de la Candelaria, the Solemn Eucharist is celebrated and the image comes out in procession accompanied by the town vallepascuense. Our Lady of the Candlemas is also Patron of the Diocese of Valle de la Pascua.

In fact, in the cathedral of this city, the image of the Candelaria is located in the right nave of the Parish Church. It was made by Sister Rosario Fuentes of the Community of the Missionary Sisters, Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
In Merida, this virgin is also venerated with fervor. Popular legend has it that many years knowledge of the appearance of the Virgin of La Candelaria, recorded on a planchette, in a town very close to La Parroquia, Merida, this place is known as Zumba had.
Today this site is considered sacred and is frequented by profuse devotees of such venerated image, who go to a chapel that was built in honor of La Candelaria.

It is so respected on 2 February that was designated as the date that marks the beginning of the festivities of this Mérida population and a series of activities, among which dances vassals of La Candelaria, one of the parties appreciated popular of greater importance and relevance in that Andean state.

In 1708 the Church of La Candelaria was built in Caracas. In the heart of the parish that bears his name the temple, recently restored, receives the visit of hundreds of devotees.

There rest the remains of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, the Venerable and Servant of God, currently in the process of beatification.