OUR MOTHER OF COPACABANA (BOLOVIA) - 06th Aug

 Among the passengers of a ship lost in a storm near Rio de Janeiro, were some Brazilian pilgrims returning from a visit to the shrine of the Virgin of Copacabana in Bolivia. 

    They called upon the Virgin to intercede for them and they were landed safely on the Brazilian shores. In token of gratitude, 

    they called the spot Copacabana and it has since become one of the world’s favorite resorts. The missionaries who came with the Spanish conquerors naturally planted the Cross in 

    all large Incan centers and a Church was built in Copacabana. In the year 1581, a young Indian lad, Francisco desired earnestly that his town be dedicated to Our Mother. 

    In secret, he started to construct a statue of the Virgin and Child to be presented to the village. Finally after months of disappointments and successes, 

    he finished his labor of love, Our Mother of Copacabana – a Virgin with all of the features of his own race, in her arms an Infant. 

    The Virgin, Our Mother of Copacabana smiled on Francisco; when the box was opened, the hostile attitude changed; when they saw the love that had been caught in the face of the Madonna,

    they welcomed Francisco and his dear burden to the town. There were soon many miracles attributed to devotion to the new statue of Our Mother of Copacabana. 

    The warmth of love engulfed Copacabana, and soon a Church was built for the Mother and her Child. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the patron saint of Bolivia.




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