Tunja (Colombia) celebrates the feast of Our Lady of the Miracle

03-06-25

On Sunday, June 1st, the city of Tunja, capital of the department of Boyacá, became the epicenter of religious fervor with the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of the Miracle of El Topo—one of the most deeply rooted expressions of faith in the Boyacá capital. More than 10,000 worshippers from various regions of the country gathered to pay tribute to the patroness of the city, as well as of golfers and the Colombian Air Force (FAC).

The festivities began on Thursday, May 22, and continued through Sunday, June 1. During these days, daily Masses were held at the Sanctuary of El Topo, followed by a preparatory novena. On Saturday afternoon, a special evening celebration took place to spiritually prepare the community for the main day of the festivity.

On Sunday, the day began with a solemn procession that started at 10:00 a.m. from the Sanctuary of El Topo and passed through the city's main streets, culminating in Bolívar Square. At 11:00 a.m., an open-air Mass was celebrated, presided over by the Archbishop of Tunja, Monsignor Gabriel Ángel Villa Vahos. During the Mass, the Archbishop emphasized the importance of keeping alive this tradition that unites the community through faith and culture.

As part of the celebrations, a military parade was held, organized jointly by the National Police, the Army, and the Colombian Air Force, which accompanied the procession from the sanctuary to the main square. In addition, two Beechcraft T-6C planes from the Air Force flew over the skies of Tunja around noon, despite overcast conditions and light drizzles. This aerial display is an almost annual tradition and is part of the tribute the FAC pays to the Virgin.

Devotion to Our Lady of the Miracle of El Topo has deep roots in the history of Tunja. According to tradition, in 1628, inside a small cell of the former Conceptionist monastery, two nuns witnessed the appearance of the image of the Immaculate Virgin reflected in rainwater. This event was deemed miraculous and gave rise to the veneration of the Virgin of the Miracle in the city.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Miracle of El Topo, located in Commune 4 of Tunja, is one of the main pilgrimage centers in the country. Every year, thousands of the faithful visit this sacred site to express their devotion and give thanks for blessings received. The celebration held on the first Sunday of June has become a well-established tradition that strengthens community bonds and helps preserve the cultural heritage of the region.

This year’s celebration reaffirmed the commitment of the people of Tunja to their religious and cultural traditions. The massive turnout, liturgical activities, and symbolic acts—such as the military parade and the Air Force flyover—highlighted the profound connection between faith and the city’s identity. The Feast of Our Lady of the Miracle of El Topo remains a living testament to the spirituality and social cohesion that define Tunja.

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