The Inauguration of the Mosaic of Our Lady of Coromoto in the Vatican Gardens
Patroness of Venezuela
A new Marian image has been placed on the walls of the Bastione di Maestro in the Vatican Gardens: Our Lady of Coromoto, Patroness of Venezuela.
In the inaugural ceremony held on the morning of Monday, October 20 — the day after the canonization of the first two Venezuelan Saints, José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles Martínez — the mosaic depicting Mary enthroned with the Child was unveiled and blessed.
Present at the event, among others, were Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Secretary General of the Governorate, Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martín, Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela, Bishop Benito Adán Méndez Bracamonte, Military Ordinary, Monsignor Javier Domingo Fernández González, Chief of Protocol of the Holy See, His Excellency Mr. Franklin Mauricio Zeltzer Malpica, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Holy See, and Gabriela Jiménez, Vice President for the Science and Technology, Ecosocialism and Health Sector of Venezuela.
Brief remarks were offered by Archbishop Nappa, Monsignor Javier Domingo Fernández González, and Archbishop Ortega Martín, who also blessed the image and offered a prayer to the Virgin.
The creation of the mosaic — a work by Venezuelan artist Luis Enrique Mogollón — was made possible through the contribution of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Holy See.
Address of the Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State:
I would first like to greet His Excellency Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martín, Titular Archbishop of Midila and Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela, His Excellency Franklin Mauricio Zeltzer Malpica, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Holy See, the Bishops, Prelates, Ambassadors, authorities, priests, religious men and women, and all Venezuelans present.
We are gathered to celebrate the inauguration of the image of Our Lady of Coromoto, proclaimed Patroness of Venezuela by Pope Pius XII on October 7, 1944.
This image is not only a work of art but also a sign of the faith of millions of believers who venerate the Virgin Mary as Mother — the one who inspires hope and courage amid difficulties, as helper and consoler.
The manner of the Virgin’s apparition to the indigenous chief Coromoto in 1652 shows that she does not lose heart in the face of rejection, obstacles or indifference from her children — just as she did not give up at the resistance of the native chief who eventually converted and was baptized.
Mary spoke to Coromoto and his wife in their own language: “Go to the house of the white people and ask them to pour water on your heads, so that you may go to heaven.” A sign that the salvation of Christ is offered to all.
Our joy is all the greater because yesterday, Pope Leo XIV canonized two figures renowned for their holiness and deeply beloved by the Venezuelan people. I refer to Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, described by the late Pope Francis as “the doctor of the poor and an apostle of peace” (General Audience, September 13, 2023). With his canonization, he has become the first Venezuelan Saint. For the people, José Gregorio was already considered a saint from the day of his death.
The other canonized figure is Mother Carmen Elena Rendiles Martínez, foundress of the Servants of Jesus of Venezuela. She dedicated her life to the poor and needy, in whom she saw the reflection of Christ. Animated by deep faith in the Eucharist, she lived entirely in service to her brothers and sisters. These two new intercessors were themselves devoted to Our Lady of Coromoto.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to all who made this moment possible: to the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, to the Venezuelan Embassy to the Holy See, and to all the faithful who maintain Our Lady’s devotion in their hearts.
