The Mystical Rose in Columbia, An experience of sincere, faith-filled devotion to ‘last a lifetime’

Last month, I went to Medellin, to visit a friend who is fighting his third recurrence of colon cancer. In our correspondence, William spoke to me about visiting an outdoor shrine dedicated to Our Lady, Mystical Rose to which many pilgrims flock with their candles praying for various intentions but, mostly for healing. So, when I arrived in Colombia, I had to see this shrine with my own eyes.

This was perhaps the smallest outdoor shrine that I have ever seen, yet there were 50 to 100 pilgrims lighting candles, placing these along the shelves leading up to the outdoor altar and the beautiful statue of our Lady. Interestingly, the statue is the very same that depicts Our Lady of Lourdes, whose feast day was February 11.

As the reader surely knows, many people go to Lourdes on pilgrimage to pray for some kind of healing.  Well, the fervor of these Colombian pilgrims was equal to what I saw in Lourdes but on a smaller scale. There were no processions while I was present. There were no groups singing hymns to the “Virgencita.” There was a woman leading those present in the recitation of the Rosary.

In retrospect, and compared to my previous pilgrimages to Fatima and Lourdes, there was something about the faith of those in attendance that was very humbling. Like Lourdes and Fatima, Our Lady has come among the poor of Medellin and the surrounding areas. Her affinity for the genuineness and simplicity of the poor was replicated here as it was to St. Bernadette in Lourdes and to the poor shepherd children, St. Jacinta, St. Francisco and Sister Lucy in Fatima.

Many of these pilgrims were praying for loved ones who were hospitalized, paralyzed, in long term care facilities. They were asking the Blessed Mother to implore Jesus to heal their loved ones, many of whom cannot afford health insurance, and as such, they could not receive any medical treatment until the procedure was paid in advance.

There were diabetics who could not afford insulin. There were multiple disabilities which afflict the “Paisas,” as natives of the province of Antioquia are called. But their undying love for the Mother of God is profound. Even my friend who is receiving chemotherapy at San Vicente de Paulo Hospital insisted that we pay a visit between his treatments.

Like Lourdes and Fatima, there were many ceramic tiles affixed to the walls leading up to the encasement of Our Lady in gratitude to the Mystical Rose for favors received. Some, who were waiting for their tiles to arrive, placed plastic placards with words of gratitude on the walls. It was obvious that whatever small or large miracles were experienced by these faithful or their loved ones, they knew instinctively to return to where their prayers began and offer words of thanksgiving to Our Lady, Mystical Rose.  

Some of you reading this column might be led to believe that Mary granted these healings, employment, lodging, education and basic survival by herself. However, we should always remember that Mary intercedes on behalf of her children by bringing their petitions to the fruit of her womb, Jesus.  He, alone, is Lord.  He, alone, is the mediator of all grace. He, alone, is the Great Healer. It is Mary’s sole desire to bring her children to her Son, to unite the souls of all believers to the heart of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Why some receive healings and others do not remains a mystery.  

Sometimes the healing that pilgrims desire, is not the healing that their loved ones need. Sometimes the healing comes in the form of peaceful acceptance of a terminal diagnosis, or in the form of forgiving God when a loved one dies, or in the form of gratitude for the way a deceased loved one left his or her mark on the hearts of caregivers.  

My pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady Mystical Rose was just that: mystical.  It was not what I was expecting. It was not grandiose like Lourdes and Fatima. It was, however, sincere, faith-filled and an experience that brought this writer a sense of warmth, love and deep devotion, which will last a lifetime.

Father Comandini serves as diocesan coordinator of the Office for Ongoing Faith Formation.