The Virgin of Carmen, also referred to as Our Woman of Carmen, is a Marian devotion that’s extremely commemorated within the Catholic Church. The celebration of the Virgin of Carmen takes place on July 16 of every yr and has transcendental significance for Colombia.
In line with the standards of
In line with the Archdiocese of Bogotá, the story of the Virgin of Carmen originates within the Bible: within the guide of Kings. There, it speaks in regards to the prophet Elijah who went as much as Mount Carmel to ship rain since at the moment there was a drought within the Area of King Ajaas.
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Virgin of Carmen
Photograph: Vanexa Romero/EL TIEMPO
“The prophet Elijah promised the Lord that the folks would abandon the God Baal and after climbing the mountain and praying a number of occasions, the Bible explains that when the prophet Elijah climbed Mount Carmel for the seventh time to wish, a cloud of luminous whiteness was seen from which plentiful water flowed. At that second, the prophet Elijah understood that the long-awaited Jesus could be born from an immaculate maiden to deliver a rain of blessings,” explains the Archdiocese.
From that second on, the neighborhood situated in that area started to wish for the long run mom of the Savior, thus starting the devotion to the Virgin of Carmen.
“From that second on, Mount Carmel grew to become a sacred mountain the place its devotees prayed and over time they started to dwell there. Later they started to name it by its present identify “Holy Virgin of Mount Carmel,” the Catholic entity particulars.
The significance of the Virgin of Carmen in Colombia
In Colombia, the Virgin of Carmen has particular significance and is widely known with nice fervor. Devotion to the Virgin of Carmen is deeply rooted in Colombian tradition, particularly amongst drivers and transport employees.
The Virgin of Carmen is taken into account the patron saint of drivers, taxi drivers and all those that work within the transport sector. That is as a result of in style perception that the Virgin protects vacationers and people who function autos, making certain their security on the roads.
Celebration of the Day of the Virgin of Carmen in Barranquilla.
Photograph: Vanexa Romero/El Tiempo
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In lots of areas of Colombia, festivities honoring the Virgin of Carmen embody processions, particular lots, and car blessings. Drivers adorn their automobiles, vehicles, and buses with photographs and symbols of the Virgin, and take part in caravans that journey by way of the streets in gratitude and devotion. These celebrations mirror the deep connection between non secular religion and the day by day lives of many Colombians.
Along with her function as protector of drivers, Our Woman of Mount Carmel can be commemorated in fishing and army communities, and is taken into account a robust intercessor in occasions of hassle. Her feast day is a time of religious renewal for a lot of trustworthy, who search her safety and steering.
The July 16 celebration in honor of the Virgin of Carmen highlights not solely non secular devotion, but in addition the wealthy cultural custom of Colombia, the place religion and in style practices intertwine to strengthen the identification and social cohesion of communities.
