The Diocese of Ocaña, in the Colombian department of Norte de Santander, celebrated on August 16 the 315th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin of Graces of Torcoroma. The festivity, which began on August 7 with a novena, culminated with the transfer of the image from its sanctuary on the Torcoroma mountain to the Cathedral of Santa Ana, where the central Mass and a massive procession were held.
A call to intercession and peace
In his homily, Bishop Orlando Olave Villanoba of Ocaña encouraged the faithful to turn to the Virgin as an intercessor before God, especially in difficult times, such as the violence affecting the region due to the presence of armed groups. The prelate mentioned a recent incident: the placement of flags of the National Liberation Army (ELN) on access roads to the townships of Agua de la Virgen and Pueblo Nuevo, as well as the death of a person near the sanctuary.
“It is an act of foolishness, a totally senseless act, because it is a sacred place for us, and everyone knows it, but as a response from this holy people, the sanctuary was filled today,” said Bishop Olave. Despite the difficulties, the bishop emphasized that, in more than three centuries of devotion, “the presence of Mary has been there, unwavering, looking at us from the holy mountain of Torcoroma, and we looking at her, and that gaze has allowed us to feel that closeness of God.”
History of the apparition
According to the Archdiocese of Bogotá, the apparition dates back to August 15, 1711, when brothers Felipe and José Melo Rodríguez, sons of a peasant family, were sent to cut down a tree to make a canoe. As they went into the mountain, they found a tree that, despite it being summer, displayed fragrant and beautiful flowers. When they cut it, the main part fell down a ravine, and the next day, when they returned with their father Cristóbal, they decided to use the fallen tree. After the first blows, “a light came out and it was the image of Holy Mary, the Virgin of the Conception,” in half relief, with hands on her chest and an imperial crown, standing on a crescent moon.
The news spread quickly, and the first miracles began to happen. The vicar authorized private veneration, and in 1716 Bishop Antonio de Monroy Meneses investigated the events and officially approved the Marian apparition.
This year’s celebration, in a context of violence, became a testimony of faith and hope for the faithful, who renewed their trust in the protection of the Virgin and in the closeness of God.
Original source: www.aciprensa.com (published on August 17, 2026)
