Local Tradition: Romería de la Virgen de los Ángeles
The Romería de la Virgen de los Ángeles is one of Costa Rica’s most paramount cultural traditions. This revered tradition attracts a diverse spectrum of Costa Ricans, though its primary participants consist of the Catholic community. The festivities involve a pilgrimage to a church in the province of Cartago, Basilíca de los Ángeles, and a mass celebrated on the esplanade of the basilica. Distinguished Costa Ricans, including Costa Rica’s Archbishop, priests, government authorities, and even the president, attend the occasion. Travelers from all over the nation pay homage to the Virgen de Los Ángeles, named the patron saint of Costa Rica by Pope John Paul II.
Traditional Significance in Costa Rica
The tradition of the Romería de la Virgen de los Ángeles comes from an account that takes place on August 2nd, 1635. Juana Pereira, a young woman living in the province of Cartago, was gathering firewood to cook. Around a spring where she collected water, Juana found a stone figure in the shape of a woman holding a child in its arms, and she decided to take it home.
Hours later, upon returning to the forest, she was surprised to find a strikingly similar stone figure on the same spring. Juana decided to bring this figure home too, but upon arrival, she noticed the other was no longer where she left it.
The following day, the same thing happened as Juana stumbled onto the stone figure in the forest. Startled, Juana sought council from the local priest, Father Alonso de Sandoval. Father Sandoval kept the stone figure in a box and dismissed the story as coincidence. However, the next day, when he went to retrieve it, the figure was no longer in the box. Once again, Juana had discovered it in the forest. Father Sandoval decided to take the figure to the local church and placed it on the altar. The next day, the figure was again missing, and back above the spring in the forest. Collectively, Father Sandoval and the community decided that this stone figure represented the Virgin Mary and that she wished to stay above the spring in the forest. The community decided to build a church here to honor the miracle.
Seeking an Answer to Prayers
Undertaking this pilgrimage typically served as an expression of gratitude for prayers answered, or as means to seek favors from the Virgin, such as the restoration of a loved one’s health Many individuals attest that after completing the pilgrimage as an offering, the Virgin granted them their miracle.
Others seek out the support of the patron saint of Costa Rica for the welfare and prosperity of the nation. Concerns are diverse, ranging from the prevention of earthquakes and hurricanes to the preservation of peace within the country's borders.
A customary practice is to crawl on one's knees from the entrance of the temple to the altar. Visitors to the Basilíca de los Ángeles also seek out the famous stone figure in the shape of the Virgin Mary, and collect water from the spring water fountain, which is considered holy water, and believed to attribute health benefits and spiritual purity.
Walking From All Parts of The Country
For many participants, the journey commences the day before the mass, on August 1st, starting from Costa Rica’s capital, San José, situated approximately 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) away. Certain devout followers embark on this sacred expedition from their homes, traveling from distant regions of the country and beginning traveling several days in advance. Astonishingly, approximately two million people partake in this annual pilgrimage to the Basilíca de los Ángeles, manifesting the profound significance of the tradition.