Coromoto Indian
Sergio Umbria
The story of the Virgin of Coromoto
Patroness of Venezuela, she is closely
Linked to the Cacique of the same name, leader
From the Cospes tribe, who took refuge
In the mountains north of Guanare when
This city was founded in 1591. Refused to
Being colonized, the indigenous only accepted
Evangelization after the appearance of a
Beautiful Lady, before Cacique Coromoto and his wife
Those whom she requested will be baptized. When she was
All ready to receive the sacrament, the rebel leader
Indian fled. Oral tradition tells that the Virgin of
Coromoto appeared again before him in his own
Hut. When the native wanted to grab her, the beautiful
Her figure disappeared, leaving an image of her in her hand
This relic rests today, 369 years after
Her apparition, in the National Shrine of Our Lady
From Coromoto, where it remains embedded in the pedestal
Be an image of wood. When Guanare was founded in
1591, the Cospes fled north, towards the mountains
Making it difficult to evangelize. Years later, when
They crossed a stream of water, the Cacique Coromoto
The leader and his wife saw a woman of incomparable beauty
That she held in her arms a radiant and precious child
She walked on the crystalline waters and in her language she told them
Go to the whites' house and ask them to pour the water for you
In the head to be able to go to heaven. Impressed by the beautiful
Lady, the Cacique related what happened to a Spaniard named Juan
Sánchez, with whom he agreed that the indigenous population be
Evangelized and baptized. The months passed and the lady
She kept appearing in the ravine, but they could only
See the little ones. Initiated the baptism of the natives
Coromoto decides to escape before receiving the sacrament
He missed the jungle and his domains. On September 8
1652 the Virgin of Coromoto appeared again in her own
Chief's hut. It was the first time the image visited
A family, since his wife, sister-in-law and nephew were present
Rays of light emanated from his entire being so powerful that
According to one of the indigenous women, they were like those of the Sun of the
Half a day, but they did not dazzle or tire the eyes
The Cacique recognized the same beautiful lady that he had seen
On the waters of the placid stream of its mountains
Whose memory he had never been able to erase from her memory. Superb
And full of impotence, the Coromoto tried to attack the beautiful
Lady with her bow and arrow, but she got even closer
He then tried to grab her and she disappeared
Trembling, the Indian told the women: Here I have it
Fuck. These, deeply impressed and
Moved, they wanted to see her. When you open your hand
They recognized the image of the beautiful woman, who she gave off
A great glow. It was a small stamp
Parchment, 2. 5 centimeters high and two centimeters
Wide. In it was observed who she would be known
Later, as the Virgin of Coromoto
The Cacique wrapped the image in a sheet and hid it
In the thatch of the roof of his house. His nephew ran to
Notify Juan Sánchez, who went to the hut to pick up
The precious relic Seeing her he felt deep emotion
For he recognized in her the Virgin with the Child Jesus
On the lap. Full of admiration and devotion the Spanish
He told the village priest what had happened. However the
Religious did not believe the story, so Sánchez
She went to his house and placed the Holy Relic on an altar
Legend has it that the Cacique fled into the jungle and, at
Being bitten by a poisonous snake, he began to
Ask for baptism. He received it from a passing Barinese
For the place. Some say that Coromoto died there
Baptized with the name of Guardian Angel, others who
He became an apostle and asked the Cospes people to
They will accept the Holy Sacrament and, as a consequence
From this, the indigenous people formed a community
Very fervent faithful