Puntarenas Gives Thanks
To The Virgen del Mar
Puntarenas celebrated
the Virgen del Mar on
Sunday, with the
traditional fiestas,
that included a parade,
boat race, dancing and
plenty of food and
drinks.
Fishing boats decorated
with lights and flags
displayed their devotion
by parading the Virgen
in the Pacific waters.
The story of the Virgen
dates back to 1913 when
the crew of the fishing
boat "El Galileo" was
shipwrecked near the
Isla del Caño off the
small town of
Puntarenas.
Don Hermenegildo Cruz
Ayala, overcome with
grief, visits the church
to ask the Virgen del
Carmen for the crew of
his ship, who is joined
by father Carmona, the
local pastor, in prayer.
Several days later the
shipwrecked crew of the
Galielo appeared safe
and well and told the
story a woman, who in
the middle of the storm,
fed them and helped them
get back their strength
to swim to shore.
Don Hermenegildo, a man
of faith, after
listening to his crews'
story told them to go to
father Carmona and to
give thanks to the
Virgen for answering
their prayers.
As a show of faith and
gratitude, Don
Hermenegildo, promised
the pastor that from
that day on there would
be a celebration in
July, calling the Virgen
del Carmen, the Virgen
del Mar, which unites
all fishermen and
boaters as one big
family to give the
Virgen thanks and ask
for her continued
protection.
|
