Izamal to Celebrate Our Lady of Izamal During August

Izamal, Yucatán — The Archdiocesan Marian Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is ready for the August celebrations in honor of Our Lady of Izamal, Queen and Patroness of Yucatán. The program includes the lowering of the venerated image, the commemoration of a vow made in 1648, and the 77th anniversary of the image’s pontifical coronation.

The festivities begin at 11 a.m. when the image is lowered from its niche. It will then be carried in a short procession into the temple and placed on an altar at the foot of the presbytery, where it will remain exposed for public veneration during the celebrations. A solemn Sunday Mass is scheduled for noon.

Friar Bernardo Molina, a member of the shrine, said the lowering allows the faithful to “draw near to her in prayer, to ask and to give thanks, and to experience the maternal devotion and protection that the Holy Virgin dispenses on all who come to her.”

Religious activities will continue through Aug. 22, including rosaries, solemn Masses and flower offerings organized by Marian groups. On Aug. 15, canons from the Cathedral of San Ildefonso in Mérida will celebrate Mass at the shrine, fulfilling a vow made in 1648, when cathedral authorities sought the Virgin’s intercession during a yellow fever epidemic that struck the old province of Yucatán.

The program also marks the anniversary of the image’s pontifical coronation as Queen of Yucatán. A serenade is planned for the night of Aug. 21, followed by a thanksgiving Mass on Aug. 22, after which the image will return to its niche.

Ahead of the descent, the shrine’s official caretakers changed the Virgin’s clothing, and the image will wear a new set of vestments donated by the Rodríguez Sosa family.

Throughout the month, pilgrims from across the region are expected to visit the shrine to offer thanks, fulfill promises and take part in the celebrations for the patron saint of Yucatán.