Nothing
Holds Back The Faithful
From Visiting La Negrita
Although the ministerio de Salud (Health
ministry) has suspended this year's romeria
(walk to Cartago), nothing can stop the
faithful. The annual romeria takes place on
August 1 and 2.
Last year some 2 million people made the
trek to the "viejo Metropolis" to pay homage
to the patron saint of Costa Rica, La Virgen
de Los Angeles" or "La Negrita" as she is
commonly referred to.
The same number of people were expected this
year, but due to the spread of the AH1N1 flu
virus, Health officials decided to call off
the walk, fearing that the number of
infected could be as high as 20.000 if the
romeria were to take place.
As such, the Basilica de Los Angeles will be
closed on August 1 and 2 and to prevent
people from an early visit, the Basilica was
closed this weekend as well.
However, the faithful have been pouring in
to Cartago nonetheless.
"It hurts to see the everything closed,
however, we are here with much devotion to
ask the Virgencita to help my husband with
his sclerosis", told the woman to Al Dia who
walked from San José to Cartago with her
daugther, son in law and grandchild.
Despite the suspension and plea by the
ministerio de salud asking people not to
make the romeria this year, hundreds visited
the Virgen on Saturday, full of requests and
promises.
A man said that the romeria is still on
regardless if the Basilica (church) is open
or closed.
For those who decide to make the walk
anyways, the trek will not be an easy one,
as the support of transit police and
emergency posts will not be at their side.
The ministra de Salud, María Luisa Ávila, is
pleading for people not to make the
traditional romeria this year.
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