OUR LADY OF COPACABANA - BOLIVIA

Nuestra Señora of Copacabana

In Bolivia, the original Shrine of Copacabana does not suggest joyous social life; it spells a wonderful story of faith and love. The tiny cove of Copacabana lies on a peninsula overlooking Lake Titicaca. The name means "one who looks at the precious stone," because in the distance stretches the majestic, ice-capped mountain of the Cordillera of the Andes. This is where devotion to the "Most Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Copacabana," originated.

The statue of the Virgin Mary stands four feet tall and is made of plaster and fiber from the maguey tree, completely covered with gold leaf, except for the face and hands; the garments reproduce the colors and dress of an Incan princess. Her soft expression-and that of the Child she holds as if he were about to fall-recall the features of the inhabitants of the region. The original shape is permanently hidden by rich robes and cloaks, and the carved hair has been covered by a wig. The image never leaves the basilica; a copy is used for processions.

The statue is the work of Francisco Yupanqui, a descendant of the Inca Huayna Capac, who fervently desired that his town be dedicated to Our Lady. His inexperienced efforts were rejected by his townspeople, who laughed at him in scorn, for Francisco knew nothing about art and his statue proved it. Finally after months of disappointments and perseverance, he produced this image of the Virgin which was humbly enthroned in a poor adobe church on February 21, 1583, making it one of the oldest Marian sanctuaries in the Americas. Over the centuries devout people showered the shrine with valuable jewels, but the treasures were later looted by presidents, dictators and generals. Francisco entered a monastery where he died a happy, holy death.

Many legends grew up around his statue; it is said that if you look at her and think her beautiful, that is a sign that you are in her favor; if not your soul is ugly. Many cures and miracles have been attributed to this Virgin, the greatest, that of the faith of Francisco Yupanqui and the faith of the millions of Indians who came after him.

Presently the image, which the Indians call "La Coyeta," has rich jewels on her neck, hands and ears, the gifts of her devotees. In her right hand she holds a straw basket and a baton, the gift and souvenir of the visit of the viceroy of Peru in 1669. Today's shrine dates from 1805. The image was crowned during the reign of Pope Pius XI, and its shrine was elevated to a basilica in 1949.


Adapted from http://www.marypages.com/LadyCopacabana.htm