Our Lady of the Presentation of Quinche Ecuador
Feast: November 21st
The image of Our Lady of the Presentation of Quinche is a beautiful wooden sculpture, carved in the XVI century by Don Diego de Robles, an extraordinary artist to whom other images of Mary of great popularity and veneration are owed.
According to some testimonies, the Virgin appeared to the Indians in a cave promising to free them from the dangerous bears that devoured the children. On the other hand, those who had commissioned Don Diego to make the image did not pay him for it, so he decided to give it instead to the Oyacachi Indians in exchange for some planks of fine cedar that he needed for his work. The caciques were amazed when they saw Diego Robles arrive with the image of the Virgin on his back and recognized in it the same features of the Lady who had appeared and spoken to them in the cave.
Undoubtedly, the Virgin wanted to visit her poorest children first to attract them to the Lord of Lords whom she carries in her arms. The image remained in the care of the Indians for fifteen years until, in 1604, the local bishop ordered its transfer to the town of Quinche, from where it finally took its name.
The image, which is a fine cedar wood carving of about 62 cm. high, is covered by a large and beautiful brocade robe covered with gems, and embroidered with gold and silver threads that only let you see her dark and peaceful face. The Virgin carries a scepter in her right hand and with her left hand she holds the Child in an attitude of blessing, while holding a golden sphere crowned by a cross. At the feet of the image, the pedestal and the great crescent, both of pure silver, and the heavy imperial crowns of gold and precious stones, show the generosity of the Ecuadorian people who like to see their patron saint resplendent, always dressed in her best clothes. The face of Jesus evokes the features of the mestizo children of those mountains. Mestizo is the color of the Mother, a synthesis of the soul of the Inca and the Spanish. His fine nose is framed by a delicate oval face with thin lips and small mouth; his slanted eyes and his sad look with half-closed or drooping eyelids give him a unique sweetness.
That is why this dedication is so popular in Ecuador, especially among the Indians who affectionately call their protector of heaven "La Pequeñita". The variety of songs sung in honor of the Virgin of Quinche is admirable, with texts in Quechua, Jibaro and other diverse dialects of the region and also in Spanish; many of them have been sung for four centuries. The image was crowned in 1943 and its feast is celebrated on November 21. The current temple was declared a National Sanctuary in 1985.
