Its About La Divina
Journey to La Divina Pastora in Siparia today
By SEETA PERSAD Friday, April 6 2012
The southern town of Siparia will be abuzz with activity today as thousands flock to the La Divina Pastora RC Church for the traditional mass and all day service.
Holy Mother to both Hindus and Christians, many will make the journey to present offerings at the feet of the statue in hopes of having their prayers answered. Mass begins at 6 am with a procession of the statue at 10 am.
Hindus pay homage to the La Divina Pastora, as Sopari Mai, a healer, a patron of the poor, a miracle worker. Through the years many people have testified to being healed by the Divine Shepherdess. Many who suffered from chronic diseases and those who suffer from strokes will make the journey to give charity and offer flowers to this Goddess.
Yesterday (Holy Thursday), the copper-coloured statue of La Divina was removed from the scared shrine of the church and placed inside the conference room to accommodate the Hindu devotees who journey to the church to pay homage to the saint.
History has it that the Virgin Mary, under the title of La Divina Pastora, or the Divine Shepherdess, was brought to Siparia by a group of Catholic Capuchin missionaries who chose the area because it was a traditional meeting place of the Orinoco Indians.
According to local historian, Theresa Noel, the impact of the La Divina Pastora on local society cannot be understated since the statue is venerated by not only Catholics during the feast days, but by Hindus who also perform pilgrimages to the Church on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
In 2007 Noel presented her findings during a panel discussion titled, “La Divina Pastora, Mother of all Peoples” at the La Divina Pastora RC Church.
Her work titled “A history of devotions of La Divina Pastora,” traced the church’s intercession to the Virgin Mary to Seville, Spain, in 1703, when a Capuchin monk took the tradition to Venezuela in 1715 and later to Trinidad
By SEETA PERSAD Friday, April 6 2012
The southern town of Siparia will be abuzz with activity today as thousands flock to the La Divina Pastora RC Church for the traditional mass and all day service.
Holy Mother to both Hindus and Christians, many will make the journey to present offerings at the feet of the statue in hopes of having their prayers answered. Mass begins at 6 am with a procession of the statue at 10 am.
Hindus pay homage to the La Divina Pastora, as Sopari Mai, a healer, a patron of the poor, a miracle worker. Through the years many people have testified to being healed by the Divine Shepherdess. Many who suffered from chronic diseases and those who suffer from strokes will make the journey to give charity and offer flowers to this Goddess.
Yesterday (Holy Thursday), the copper-coloured statue of La Divina was removed from the scared shrine of the church and placed inside the conference room to accommodate the Hindu devotees who journey to the church to pay homage to the saint.
History has it that the Virgin Mary, under the title of La Divina Pastora, or the Divine Shepherdess, was brought to Siparia by a group of Catholic Capuchin missionaries who chose the area because it was a traditional meeting place of the Orinoco Indians.
According to local historian, Theresa Noel, the impact of the La Divina Pastora on local society cannot be understated since the statue is venerated by not only Catholics during the feast days, but by Hindus who also perform pilgrimages to the Church on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
In 2007 Noel presented her findings during a panel discussion titled, “La Divina Pastora, Mother of all Peoples” at the La Divina Pastora RC Church.
Her work titled “A history of devotions of La Divina Pastora,” traced the church’s intercession to the Virgin Mary to Seville, Spain, in 1703, when a Capuchin monk took the tradition to Venezuela in 1715 and later to Trinidad