Feast of Our Lady of the Angels

The feast commemorates the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a indigenous peasant girl named Juana Pereira on August 2, 1635, near Cartago. According to tradition, Juana found a small dark stone statue of the Virgin Mary on a rock, which she took home, but it mysteriously returned to the same spot. After several attempts, local authorities recognized it as a divine sign and built a shrine, later the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, on that site. The statue, known as La Negrita for its dark color, was declared patroness of Costa Rica in 1824.

The most notable tradition is the 'Romería', a mass pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago. Pilgrims come from all over the country, many walking for hours or even days, often barefoot or on their knees as an act of penance. On August 2, the faithful attend special masses, carry candles, and bring offerings such as flowers or small metal replicas of healed body parts ('milagros'). Traditional foods include 'chiverre' (a type of squash candied with honey) and 'dulce de tapa' (raw cane sugar).

The feast is a profound expression of Costa Rican faith and national identity, blending Catholic devotion with indigenous and African influences. La Negrita symbolizes protection, healing, and unity, drawing millions of pilgrims annually, including non-religious participants who see it as a cultural tradition.