User:KathyAMC/Santuario de la Virgen de la Nube - Azogues

The Sanctuary of La Virgen de la Nube is better known as Santuario Franciscano, which belongs to the Diócesis from Azogues. It is located in the eastern part of Azogues, which is also the capital of Cañar province. It was built between 1912 and 1954. It is a singular and beautiful church from the Republican era and all its structure as well as its stairways were made with carved stone from Abuga hill. The High Altar of the sanctuary is completely carved in fine wood, covered with gold. In the central part of this Altar we can find the image of La Virgen de la Nube.

History
The dedication of this religious place to La Virgen de la Nube emerged in Quito in 1696. It is said that there was a manifestation of mother Mary, whose image was formed -according to witnesses- of the clouds in the sky.

The miraculous image, which is currently venerated in its Sanctuary, was carved by Mr. Daniel Alvarado Bermeo in 1899.

The Sanctuary was built by some groups of people. According to the chronicles written by Fr. José Maria Idígoras, it was possible to gather almost 200 people per group.

After several years, this fraternity was promoted to guardianship on September 17th, 1919.

The choirs of the virgin were created in 1927 in order to increase people’s devotion.

On October 24th, 1965 the community of the Franciscan priests of Azogues requested the canonization of La Virgen de la Nube. The act in which the Catholic Church allows public worship was carried out on January 1st, 1967.

Characteristics of the Virgin
The image of the Mother Mary, is presented as a queen who:

·


 * Holds a scepter in her right hand; ·


 * Has a breastplate which is represented by a lily;
 * Has the olive tree as its fruit, which is a symbol of her connection with Israel;


 * Holds Baby Jesus, who carries the world in his hands;


 * Has a pedestal formed by the moon and the clouds.

Legend
The history of this devotion to the Virgin comes from the colony, when in Quito the bishop Sancho de Andrade and Figueroa (1696) became ill. Because of the prayers that the worshippers made for their healing, an image of the Virgin Mary resting on a white cloud appeared in the sky, between Guapulo and El Quinche.

Since then, the Catholic people of Ecuador pay their tribute of love to Mary. This tribute is given at the beginning of the year. Every January 1st, thousands of believers from the country and abroad come to the city of Azogues to venerate and participate in all the religious acts prepared by the Franciscans. The procession is the main event, which has become a tourist attraction.

Prayer of La Virgen de la Nube
''Oh Milagrosa Virgen de la Nube! Madre de Jesús y Madre nuestra bienvenida seas a esta tu casa; te saludamos con todo el afecto  de nuestro corazón, quisiéramos que en este día ninguna acción nuestra  te desagrade, quisiéramos honrarte como los ángeles te honran en el  cielo, alabarte y bendecirte con todos los justos, y servirte con la fe y  devoción de tus verdaderos hijos.''