Pilgrims to La Negrita could be fined and receive more punishments

Earlier this year, in May, authorities of the Ministry of Health announced the suspension of La Negrita pilgrimage this year, due to the health
emergency caused by covid-19. / Basilica of the Virgen de los Ángeles courtesy photo.

Published Friday, July 31, 2020

Pilgrims to La Negrita could be fined
and receive more punishments

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The annual pilgrimage to visit La Negrita at the Basilica of the Virgen de los Ángeles in Cartago Province must come to a stop or be fined, said authorities of the Episcopal Conference and leaders of the Catholic Church.

The traditional pilgrimage dedicated to the so-called La Negrita, Virgen de Los Angeles, has been in place since 1635.

Earlier this year, in May, authorities of the Ministry of Health announced the suspension of La Negrita pilgrimage this year, due to the health emergency caused by covid-19.

The reported groups of pilgrims have been walking towards the church forcing the Ministry of Security to take action. Those detected and found to be pilgrims will be fined approximately $190.

Pilgrims making the trek by car, in addition to the fine, the Traffic Police officers may confiscate the license plates of the cars, or even seize the vehicle if applicable. Authorities will also apply a 6 point deduction of the driver's license.

According to the Traffic Police, beginning on the eve of Aug. 2, officers will be out in full force detecting pilgrims and asking them to return to their homes. In order to deter pilgrims the church will be closed to prevent any mass gatherings.

Police will maintain strict restriction controls in the zone and routes surrounding the Basilica. "The pilgrimage is not listed as exception of a ban on driving rule, so, we ask people not to unnecessarily expose themselves to a fine of ¢110,000 colones, to the seized of their vehicle plates and six points less on their driving license," said Germán Marín, director of the Traffic Police.

"This activity gathers crowds of people is the largest mass event in the country, with an average of between two and two-and-a-half million pilgrims during those days," said Monsignor Mario Enrique Quirós, Bishop of the Cartago Province.

Although the church suspended the pilgrimage, they are still celebrating the day of the Virgin Mary by inviting people to watch from their homes. The rectory of the Basilica of the Angels and the Catholic Church set up a platform on the website, RomeriaVirtual2020.com, for the faithful to register their request list to the virgin and for devouts to participate in a virtual pilgrimage. The website is free and open to receive new members until Sunday, Aug. 2.

The Catholic Church of Costa Rica setup for followers to post the list of their promises and requests to the virgin on social media, Facebook and Instagram.

La Negrita is the boss or patron of Costa Rica expected to help people throughout their life, according to Catholics in the country. She is a stone sculpture that measures about 20 centimeters and is composed of volcanic rock, graphite and jade.

Since the rock is black, people call it "La Negrita" but it is presumed to be the image of the Virgin Mother of Jesus. The image has a round face, slanted eyes, a little nose and a small mouth. In her left arm, she holds baby Jesus whose right hand is raised as in giving a blessing.

The name given to the idol is Virgin of Los Angeles because she was discovered on Aug. 2, 1635, by the Franciscan Order venerating its patron saint, Santa María de los Ángeles.

On Sept. 24, 1824, by decree of the highest political authorities of the country, the Virgin of the Angels was declared as the official patron of Costa Rica.

La Romería, which translates to pilgrimage, dedicated to La Negrita has been celebrated for more than 400 years on Aug. 2. The tradition that began with the Catholic community, has become one of the most important events of the year. Romería is a mass journey of the faithful to pay homage to the virgin located at the Basilica.

This is the second time in Costa Rican history that the Romería is canceled, also for health reasons.

In August 2009, María Luisa Ávila, the minister of Health at that time, said the official suspension of the annual pilgrimage was for the protection of the health of the population.

Avila was warning that the incidents of swine flu were expected to peak at the end of August 2009. Specialists had estimated 20,000 people would come down with the illness if the pilgrimage continued as planned.

The Catholic Church officials agreed to keep the Basilica closed, canceling the traditional day of mass and sermons in honor of the virgin.

In 2009, authorities reported 12 people died in Costa Rica from illnesses partially attributed to swine flu. Most of them had pre-existing health conditions that made them vulnerable. There were about 560 confirmed cases of swine flu.

This year, authorities call on La Negrita believers to stay home due to the country continuing to face an acceleration of covid-19 infections.

As of Thursday afternoon, the ministry provided the following statistics on the status of the virus in the country.

• 490 new covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 12,870 active cases. The ages of patients infected range from one three-month-old baby to one 100-year-old person.

• 4,795 foreign-born people have been infected of the 17,290 cases since March, approximately 27% of the total cases.

• 352 patients are being treated in public hospitals, where 272 patients are in recovery rooms and 80 are in Intensive Care Units, ICU, with delicate health conditions. Most of the infected patients are quarantined in their homes.

• 4,280 coronavirus patients have fully recovered, which is a 24% recovery rate.

• 57,760 people have been ruled out.

• 86,803 medical covid-19 tests have been made.

• 140 deaths of patients infected with covid-19 since March. Which is a 0.8% death rate. Of these 53 were women and 87 men.

As of Wednesday, July 30, authorities reported 30 foreign-born people have died since March, a total 22% of the dead. However, the ministry confirmed that they will not continue providing information on the number of foreign-born people who die from covid-19 in the country.

Readers can see the updated number of total patients in each district at the National Distance Education University on its Covid-19 Map.

As of Thursday night, the pandemic has killed 673,171 patients worldwide, according to recent statistics reported by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

-----------------------------
What miracle would you ask for from La Negrita? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com