Annual Pilgrimage to Cartago This Weekend
Basilica Virgen de los Angeles in Cartago
This weekend an estimated 2 million people or about half the country will journey to Cartago and the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. The annual pilgrimage represents devotion to the Roman Catholic faith, which is the official state religion of Costa Rica.
While some of the faithful come in the days prior to the official mass the majority make the trek on August 2nd. This year is certain to be difficult as heavy rain is predicted for much of the weekend. Cartago, which has at times been refereed to as the “city of mud” is certain to like up to its namesake.
Transit police will create block traffic in a 200 meter ring around the church and close the main street passing through Tres Rios. On Sunday afternoon vast crowds will pass through San Jose, and at some point walking west will become a difficult task.
This year is the 375th anniversary of the pilgrimage, and will be the first time the New Traffic Law is in effect. Municipal officials in Cartago have also prohibited street sellers from working the crowd.
A mobile delegation of the Fuerza Pública has been setup in Ochomogo, which is between Tres Rios and Cartago. It is expected there will be 900 police officers on the route between the church in Cartago and the statue of León Cortés in Parque La Sabana. According to a report in Al Dia, an official in Cartago commented that thus far there have been no problems, however it is important to be vigilant
“some come for faith, but others see what they can take”
The Patronato Nacional de Infancia or child protective agency will also be working the event along with 380 paramedics from the Cruz Roja at 27 positions along major roads.
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Filed Under: Featured • Local News
[...] Rican president Laura Chinchilla was among the faithful in the Annual Pilgrimage to Cartago. The event drew an estimated 2 million people, roughly half the country, and has been a national [...]