A replica of La Negrita. Source: Flickr Comons

At the Romeria, a very important Roman Catholic pilgrimage in Costa Rica that takes place every year, Red Cross medical personnel have treated 397 faithful pilgrims over the last couple of days.

According to a news report filed by Jason Torres for online news daily Costa Rica Hoy, 267 cases are related to heat exhaustion, dehydration, respiratory issues, or complaints related to blood pressure. The other 130 pilgrims were treated for burns, light trauma, muscle cramps, and lactic acidosis.

Three patients were taken to Max Peralta Hospital in Cartago, which is managed by La Caja, Costa Rica’s public health care system. The three patients were reported to be in stable condition as of Saturday morning. The Red Cross has set up 10 major aid stations across Costa Rica to help during this pilgrimage; a total of 800 rescuers, paramedics and medical technicians have been called up for this operation.

As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, the Romeria celebrates the Holy Protector of our country:

Legend proclaims that a young indigenous girl, Juanita Pereira, found the statue of the “Black Virgin” on Aug. 2, 1635, while gathering wood in the forest outside the city, which at the time was racially segregated. The young girl carried the unique stone said to resemble the Virgin Mary with child in her arms to her home and locked it up. It is said that the small 6 inch stone image almost immediately disappeared, only to mysteriously return to its original spot on the rock in the woods where it was originally discovered. This happened not once, but numerous times, including after giving the stone to a local prominent priest, who then proclaimed it to be a miracle and so began it’s high regard throughout the country! The legend lived on, and in 1824, “La Negrita”, as the black Virgin image is referred, was officially bestowed as the patron saint by the Costa Rican government.

 

Today, this small statue rests on a golden and bejeweled platform above the altar at the Basílica Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles in Cartago, some 14 miles east of San José, which was purposely built around the rock where the small figure first appeared.

 

This religious holiday is a unique experience for both nationals and visitors of Costa Rica, as they get to experience the true culture and dedication of the Ticos to their beloved Patron Saint. Pilgrims can travel up to 2 weeks to arrive to the Basilica in Cartago to get a firsthand look at the statue of “La Negrita”, which means “little dark one” in Spanish, as that is the color of this beautiful stone figure.

Our Lady of the Angels was enthroned at the Vatican last year. The idea of La Negrita being enthroned was suggested by former President Laura Chinchilla when she met with Pope Francis.