Virgen de Cotoca | |
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Blessed Virgin of Cotoca | |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Major shrine | Sanctuary of the Virgin of Cotoca, Cotoca, Bolivia |
Feast | 8 December to 15 December |
Attributes | Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, white embroidered mantle, gold crown and jewelry, scapuler |
Patronage | Santa Cruz, Eastern Bolivia |
The Virgen de Cotoca (literal translation: Virgin of Cotoca; figurative translation: Our Lady of Cotoca; variant: Blessed Virgin of Cotoco) is the patron saint for the Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Her image is located in a shrine built in her honor and located in the City of Cotoca in the Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The Virgin of Cotoca is venerated by thousands of Bolivians who ask for her intercession for blessings and other petitions.
There is one feast day dedicated to the Virgin of Cotoca, but it is celebrated over the course of 8 days. The celebration begins 8 December, which is also the feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrated by Roman Catholics. The celebration of the Virgin of Cotoca ends on 15 December. Throughout the 8 days, but primarily on the first and 8th day, thousands of devoted Bolivians make pilgrimages to the shrine where the image is located in Cotoca.