Sunday, May 28, 2023

‘Dia De Las Velitas’ Celebrated In Colombia To Honor The Feast Of Immaculate Conception

By Carolina Moreno, HuffingtonPost/TodayColombia

As the sun set last night, Colombians emerged to light up the night with candles and paper lanterns as they celebrated el Día de las Velitas (Day of the Candles).

Across the country landmarks, homes, and even tombs were illuminated on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to honor the Virgin Mary’s maternity and welcome the holiday season. (Check out pictures below)

- Advertisement -

According to Luis Alberto Roballo, Director and Priest of the Catholic institution Fundación Universitaria San Alfonso in Bogotá, the custom has origins that date back to the year 431 in Ephesus (present day Turkey) when bishops set forth on a pilgrimage to commemorate the divine maternity of the Virgin Mary.

Pope Pius IX defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, in his papal bull Ineffabilis Deus on December 8, 1854 — on the eve of which he ordered the cupola of Saint Peter’s Basilica to be lit.

In Colombia, and several other Latin American countries, Dec. 8 is a national holiday. The annual Catholic tradition on the eve of the holiday allows families and friends to gather as they adorn public areas and neighborhoods with lights and prepare for the festivities ahead.

- Advertisement -

FACT CHECK:
We strive for accuracy in its reports. But if you see something that doesn't look right, send us an email. The Q reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it's accuracy.

Rico
Rico
"Rico" is the crazy mind behind the Q media websites, a series of onlinemagazines that includes TodayColombia.com. Rico brings his special kind of savvy to online marketing. His websites are engaging, provocative, informative and sometimes off the wall, where you either like or you leave it. The same goes for him, like him or leave him.There is no middle ground. No compromises, only a passion to present reality as he sees it!

Related Articles

Colombia has one of the lowest minimum wages in Latin America

QCOLOMBIA - 2023 starts and with it many of the workers...

Colombia and Venezuela reopen border crossing after 7 years

QCOLOMBIA - Colombia and Venezuela on Monday, September 26, 2022, reopened...
- paying the bills -

MOST READ

- paying the bills -

WANT TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST!

Get our daily newsletter with the latest posts directly in your mailbox. Click on the subscribe and fill out the form. It's that simple!