Patroness of Nicaragua

Over 440 years ago in the city of El Viejo, Chinandega, first appeared the venerated and miraculous image of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Patroness of NIcaragua.

In the year 1562 due to a tropical depression, Don Lorenzo de Cepeda, who traveled to Peru, had to stop in the wet Puerto de la Possession, now called Realejo. Among the things that Don Lorenzo brought was a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception . Don Lorenzo de Cepeda was a very pious man. He had a sister who was a Carmelite nun, whom is now known as St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church.

 Don Lorenzo de Cepeda was forced to travel to a nearby village, looking for better weather, and since he wasvery devoted to the Virgin, took her with him and placed it in the parish for safety.

The inhabitants of El Viejo, Indians and mestizos were attracted by the beauty of the image, and came to the parish to admire the "Niña Blanca".  The image soon acquired the prestige of being miraculous, but Don Lorenzo had to leave despite protests and entreaties, he packed his beautiful image and went to Realejo to sail for Peru.

As the ship sailed, another storm came and the sailboat had to return to the Nicaraguan port to avoid a shipwreck. Again Don Lorenzo went to El Viejo, carrying the sacred statue of the Immaculate Conception. The whole town soon came  to venerate the Virgin and mestizos, Indians and Spaniards interpreted "the Virgin not wanting to go to El Viejo, and saying that the Immaculate Conception wants to stay."

The whole town exerted great pressure on Don Lorenzo he as fervent son of Mary, gave in "to the wishes of the Virgin", donated the picture to the people of El Viejo and left to his original destination, Peru.

Devotion to the Immaculate Conception grew enormously and is now venerated in a beautiful wooden altar guilded in gold donated by devotees for favors granted.

The feast of the Immaculate Purisima Concepcion Patron Saint of Nicaragua is celebrated with great solemnity starting a novena on 28 November with the whole country celebrating their patron on December 8th.