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On August 2, we celebrate the Virgin of Los Angeles Day – a special holiday in Costa Rica that honors the country's patron saint, La Negrita. Legend has it that in 1635, a young Indigenous girl found a small black stone carving of the Virgin Mary on a rock and took it home with her. The next day, the stone had disappeared and reappeared back at its original spot. This miracle led to the construction of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles and the annual pilgrimage to this sacred site on August 2nd. Today, this holiday is celebrated with processions, performances, and religious ceremonies throughout Costa Rica. Let's join in on the festivities and honor this beloved figure!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1635</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Initial Apparition</div><div class='timeline-text'>An Indigenous girl discovers a small stone statue of the Virgin Mary, later identified as the Virgin of Los Angeles, that mysteriously reappears on its original rock.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1674</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Building the First Church</div><div class='timeline-text'>A small church is constructed at the location of the Virgin's apparition to accommodate believers who come to pray and seek miracles.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1926</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Canonization and Patroness Declaration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Catholic Church officializes the Virgin of Los Angeles as the Patroness of Costa Rica and the statue is solemnly crowned in the Vatican.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1935</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Building the Basílica</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles is finished, where the original statue remains and attracts faithful pilgrims especially on August 2nd.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cultural Heritage Designation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Basilica is declared a national cultural heritage site, reinforcing its national and religious importance.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a procession</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Join in on the traditional religious procession in honor of the Virgin of Los Angeles. This is a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate the day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make an altar</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create your own altar at home to honor the Virgin of Los Angeles. Decorate it with flowers, candles, and other meaningful items to pay tribute to her.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn about the history</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to research and learn about the history and significance of the Virgin of Los Angeles. This will deepen your understanding and appreciation for the holiday.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Try traditional foods</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Indulge in some traditional Costa Rican dishes like gallo pinto, tamales, and arroz con pollo to celebrate the culture and cuisine of the country on Virgin of Los Angeles Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a shrine</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you are able to, make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, where the statue of the Virgin of Los Angeles is kept. This is a popular destination for many on this special day.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day to honor the patron saint of Costa Rica</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Virgin of Los Angeles Day is a special holiday in Costa Rica that celebrates their patron saint, the Virgin Mary. It's a time for people to come together and honor their faith and traditions, and pay tribute to the influential figure of the Virgin Mary.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day of spiritual and cultural significance</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On Virgin of Los Angeles Day, many people in Costa Rica participate in religious processions and attend mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels. It's a time to reflect on one's faith and heritage, and to celebrate the rich culture of Costa Rica.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day of unity and community</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Virgin of Los Angeles Day brings people together from all walks of life - whether they are religious or not - to celebrate a common bond. It's a day to appreciate the beauty of diversity and come together as a community to honor a shared tradition.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Stone Statue of the Virgin is Made of Jasper</h3><p class='facts-content'>The image of the Virgin of Los Angeles, also known as La Negrita, is a small statue carved in dark jasper, measuring just around 20 centimeters.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Basílica of Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles Features a Natural Spring</h3><p class='facts-content'>Inside the basilica, there’s a natural spring believed by many to be blessed. Pilgrims often collect this water, which is thought to have healing properties.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Annual Pilgrimage Draws Thousands of Devotees</h3><p class='facts-content'>Every year on August 2nd, it is estimated that over 2 million people from all over Costa Rica and its neighboring countries make the pilgrimage to the basilica to honor the Virgin of Los Angeles.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Pilgrims Often Complete the Last Leg of their Journey on Their Knees</h3><p class='facts-content'>It's traditional for pilgrims to approach the last few hundred meters of their pilgrimage on their knees as an act of penance and reverence.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Virgin of Los Angeles is also known by Various Names</h3><p class='facts-content'>Over the years, the Virgin of Los Angeles has been lovingly referred to by several names including La Negrita (due to the statue's dark color), Reina de Cartago (Queen of Cartago), and Patrona de Costa Rica (Patron Saint of Costa Rica).</p></div></div>
Virgin of Los Angeles Day is celebrated on August 2 every year. In 2024 Virgin of Los Angeles Day will occur on a Friday.
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