44 years ago, the Virgin of the Valley was declared patron of the Bolivarian National Navy of Venezuela

Published at: 16/03/2025 08:00 AM

On March 16, 1981, the Virgin of the Valley was declared by Pope John Paul II as patron of the Bolivarian National Navy of Venezuela.

The Virgin of the Valley is also called Virgen de los Marineros, since they entrust their lives to her when they set sail, just as, according to history, the Indians, at the time of colonization, also entrusted themselves to her to endure the abuses of the Spaniards. Without a doubt, the Virgin of the Valley is a symbol that for years has been a tradition of religious faith in our country.

Vallita, as she is known in the East, is one of the main virgins worshiped in Venezuela. His image arrived in Venezuelan territory around 1530, when evangelization began in our country; therefore, it is a pioneering invocation of Marian devotions in our land.

Every September 8 of every year, the Feast of the Virgin of the Valley is celebrated in Venezuela, which dates back to 1911, when the then bishop of Guayana, Antonio María Duran, by concession of Pope Pius X, canonically crowned the Image of Our Lady of the Valley, Patroness of the Venezuelan East.

Thousands of faithful from the Venezuelan territory go to the east of the country to gather to witness their gratitude to Our Lady for the favors granted. The celebration lasts for days, where parishioners hold parties, dances, masses and other activities in their sanctuary located in the Valley of the Holy Spirit. There the Virgin remains dressed in clothes made of fabrics that the faithful themselves give away for the occasion.

They also carry out the procession that takes place through the waters, where the image of the Virgin is placed on a small, beautifully decorated boat, followed by a good number of them, in order to move it along the coast.

Among the many miracles attributed to him, there is that of a fisherman from Coche Island, named Domingo, who was wounded in the leg by the pick of a stingray, while fishing oysters in the sea, after the sick man made a vow to the Blessed Virgin of the Valley to dedicate the first pearl he could find if he would restore his health, which would be healthy in a short time.

Mazo News Team