Our Lady of Caacupé

Our Lady of Caacupé
Feast Day	December 8
Country	Paraguay
Patronage	Paraguay
Primary Shrine	Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles, Caacupé Caacupé, Cordillera Department
Shrine Coordinates	-25.3862, -57.1414
Origin / Discovery	16th century
Proclaimed Patron	December 8, 1763
Canonical Coronation
Image Type	Wooden statue
Height	50 cm
Attributes	Celestial blue mantle; hands joined in prayer; blond hair
Associated Countries

Our Lady of Caacupé (Nuestra Señora de Caacupé) is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary honoured as the principal patroness of Paraguay. The 16th-century wooden statue of the Immaculate Conception, distinguished by its celestial blue mantle, has been venerated since the late 17th century at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles, Caacupé in Caacupé, Paraguay.

History

Origin of the image

According to longstanding hagiographic tradition preserved in Franciscan chronicles and Guaraní oral history, the statue was carved in the 16th century by an indigenous convert named José (known as “Indio José”) at the Franciscan reduction of Tobatí. Having escaped hostile Mbayaes after hiding behind a large tree trunk and promising the Virgin an image if saved, he carved two statues from its wood; the smaller one (approximately 50 cm) became the venerated image of Our Lady of Caacupé.

Arrival or foundational miracle

Hagiographic accounts relate that in 1603 a great flood destroyed much of Tobatí, sweeping away the statue kept by José’s descendants. The image was miraculously found floating unharmed on the waters of Lake Ypacaraí, an event interpreted as divine protection that led to its transfer to the new settlement of Caacupé and the origin of organized devotion.

Early veneration and first shrine

The statue was initially housed in a modest hermitage built around 1603–1630. By 1770 a formal chapel had been erected, and devotion had spread among Guaraní and Creole communities, with recorded pilgrimages by the mid-18th century.

Role in national history

On 8 December 1763 Pope Clement XIII proclaimed Our Lady of Caacupé principal patroness of Paraguay (Sacred Congregation of Rites decree). During the Chaco War (1932–1935) soldiers carried replicas into battle and attributed numerous survivals to her intercession; the nation was re-consecrated to her in 1936. Amid the 1954–1989 dictatorship and subsequent democratic transition, she became a symbol of hope and reconciliation, with episcopal renewals of consecration in 1989 and 2015.

Description of the image

Physical characteristics

Polychromed wooden statue carved from lapacho wood, measuring approximately 50 cm in height. The original 16th-century carving retains much of its polychrome, though face and hands were restored in the 18th and 20th centuries.

Iconography and style

The statue represents the Immaculate Conception: the Virgin stands with hands joined in prayer, on a globe with crescent moon, wearing a white tunic and celestial-blue mantle with golden stars. The style reflects late-16th-century Franciscan-Guaraní mission art, blending European Baroque with indigenous features.

Distinctive or symbolic features

The deep celestial-blue mantle is the image’s most instantly recognisable trait, earning her the title “Virgen Azul del Paraguay.” Votive offerings include military medals from the Chaco War and ribbons in national colours.

Current dressing and presentation

The statue is permanently dressed in rich embroidered robes of blue and white that cover the carved body, leaving only face, hands, and feet visible. The bare image is exposed only during the annual novena and feast day.

Shrines and pilgrimage

Principal shrine

The original image is enshrined in the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles, Caacupé, elevated to minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2015 and serving as the spiritual heart of Paraguayan Catholicism.

Other notable shrines

• Church of Tobatí – preserves the larger companion statue carved by Indio José
• Shrine of Our Lady of Caacupé, Asunción – national replica used for processions
• Parish of Our Lady of Caacupé, Berazategui (Argentina) – major centre for the Paraguayan diaspora

Pilgrimage tradition

The annual pilgrimage on 8 December attracts 1–2 million faithful, many walking dozens of kilometres with traditional chipa and tereré. It is the largest religious gathering in Paraguay and a moment of profound national unity.

Papal visits and major events

• 1988 – John Paul II – consecration of the basilica
• 2015 – Francis – elevation to minor basilica and homily before the image

Patronage and proclamations

National patronage

Our Lady of Caacupé was declared principal patroness of Paraguay by Pope Clement XIII on 8 December 1763. The title has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the Paraguayan bishops, most recently in 2015.

Other official patronages

• Paraguayan Armed Forces
• Diocese of Caacupé
• City of Caacupé (“Spiritual Capital of Paraguay”)

Secondary or shared veneration

• Paraguayan diaspora worldwide
• Guaraní communities in former Jesuit and Franciscan mission territories

Miracles and reported graces

Foundational miracle

Hagiographic tradition relates two closely linked events: the miraculous escape of Indio José in the 16th century and, in 1603, the statue’s survival of a catastrophic flood when it was found floating intact on Lake Ypacaraí, an occurrence that gave rise to the title “Our Lady of Miracles” and fixed the devotion in Caacupé.

Historically attested favours

• 1603 – survival of the statue in the Tobatí flood (Franciscan mission records)
• 1770 – cessation of smallpox epidemic after public vows (parish chronicles)
• 1932–1935 – numerous protections attributed by soldiers during the Chaco War (military chaplain reports)

Notable modern graces

• Thousands of healings reported annually at the basilica’s holy-water font (diocesan records 2020–2024)
• Documented recoveries during the COVID-19 pandemic attributed to intercession (2020–2022)

Feast day

Principal feast

The feast of Our Lady of Caacupé is celebrated on 8 December, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and is the most important religious observance in Paraguay.

National celebrations

December 8 is a national public holiday. Over a million pilgrims converge on Caacupé for all-night vigils, dawn Masses, a solemn procession of the image, and fireworks. The events are broadcast nationwide, and families share traditional foods in a spirit of thanksgiving and penance.

Devotion and cultural impact

Symbols in national life

The celestial blue of the Virgin’s mantle is a national colour symbol; military oaths and civic ceremonies frequently invoke “Tupãsy Caacupé” (Our Mother of Caacupé in Guaraní). She is considered the spiritual foundress of Paraguayan identity.

Artistic and literary presence

• Murals in the basilica by Koki Ruiz and Carlos Colombino
• Featured in guaraní poetry and popular songs such as “Che Valle Caacupé”
• Patroness of the Catholic University of Asunción

Role in crises and reconciliation

Invoked during the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870) and the Chaco War; served as a focus of hope during the Stroessner dictatorship. National consecrations were renewed in 1989 (democratic transition) and 2020 (pandemic).

Prayer

O Virgin of the Miracles of Caacupé, Mother and Patroness of Paraguay, you who floated upon the waters and sheltered your children, intercede for us before your Son. Strengthen our faith, unite our families, and guide our nation in justice and peace. Amen.
— Official prayer of the Paraguayan Bishops’ Conference

See also

• Virgin Mary in Roman Catholic Mariology
• National patron saints

External links

• Official website of the Basilica of Caacupé Template:Es icon
• Paraguayan Episcopal Conference Template:Es icon
• Pope Francis’ homily at Caacupé (2015) Template:Es icon