Socavón: New Minor Basilica and spiritual heartbeat of Bolivia

Socavón: New Minor Basilica and spiritual heartbeat of Bolivia

24-08-25

The Sanctuary of the Mamita del Socavón, in Oruro, has been elevated by Pope Leo XIV to the dignity of Minor Basilica, a recognition that enhances its religious, cultural, and heritage dimension while confirming its role as an epicenter of faith tourism in Bolivia and the region. This historic announcement, made on July 16 during the celebration of Bolivia’s Bicentennial and the Jubilee Year of the Diocese of Oruro, marks a milestone for local devotion while offering a concrete opportunity to strengthen religious tourism in the country.

The Sanctuary, already recognized as diocesan since 1998 and consecrated in 2000, when the canonical coronation of the Virgin of Socavón took place, now enters a new stage. Beginning on August 30, with a solemn ceremony presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio in Bolivia, Monsignor Fermín Emilio Sosa Rodríguez, as part of a procession departing from the Cathedral, this new status will be officially proclaimed. It brings with it liturgical privileges such as the granting of indulgences and a closer link to the Holy See.

The Bishop of Oruro, Monsignor Cristóbal Bialasik, led the formation of a special commission in January 2024 to support the petition to the Vatican. This group was composed of ecclesiastical authorities, experts in ethnography, folklore and architecture, and representatives of the diocese. Their work concluded with the submission of the dossier to the Apostolic Nuncio, after which the Bolivian Episcopal Conference granted the Nihil Obstat on February 21, 2025.

The community of Oruro has received this recognition with joy. The Archdiocese of La Paz described it as a gift from the Pope to the country on its Bicentennial, a symbol that merges the spiritual with the national. The Association of Folkloric Groups of Oruro (ACFO) also expressed its satisfaction, as did municipal authorities who have joined in this moment alongside the local clergy. In addition, the governor of the department stated that this religious status also represents a renewal of institutional commitment, announcing a fund of more than six million bolivianos to support the restoration and enhancement of the Sanctuary.

This elevation gains even more significance considering that the Carnival of Oruro, the great folkloric festival that gathers hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year, was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The Socavón, as the central protagonist of that devotion, thus reinforces its multifaceted identity as a symbol of faith, culture, and heritage.

For experts in religious tourism, this distinction opens the door to a new circuit that combines historical, artistic, and spiritual elements. Juan Carlos Núñez, a professor specialized in hospitality and tourism, suggests that the Socavón could be integrated into a route that includes Paria—the first Catholic church built in Bolivian territory—and the Sistine Chapel of the Andes in Curahuara de Carangas, creating an itinerary with multiplying potential for both the local economy and regional culture.

Now, the challenge is to coordinate efforts between ecclesiastical authorities, tourism enterprises, and government so that the Minor Basilica of the Socavón transcends as a symbol of faith and becomes a driver of development for Oruro. This integrative approach would allow Bolivia to offer the world not only landscapes and festivals but also devotional routes rich in history, art, and spirituality.

This elevation not only honors the Virgin of Socavón but also reaffirms the spiritual and cultural legacy of Oruro and Bolivia. The new Minor Basilica now stands as a beacon that illuminates the present and projects a renewed vision of the future, where every pilgrim, traveler, or visitor can encounter a living story, intense and deeply rooted in the country’s identity.

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