Lenten campaign 2026
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When the bishops of Peru came to the Vatican for their ad Limina visit, they made sure to make Pope Leo XIV feel like he was back at home in Peru, the country where he spent much of his priestly ministry.
The biggest gifts they gave him were a statue of St. Rose of Lima and a large mosaic for the Vatican gardens. The mosaic itself contains a set of Marian images that relate to devotions popular in Peru.
VaticanNews provides a brief description of the mosaic:
At the top we find the Virgen de la Puerta; in the center, the Immaculate Virgin, to underscore the importance of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception; on the left side, three images of the Virgen de la Candelaria, among the oldest and most venerated; and on the right side, three Marian images linked to the theme of protection: the Virgen de la Merced, who frees from chains; the Virgen del Carmen, who promises salvation to those who wear the scapular; and the Virgen de la Evangelización, who offers the Rosary to the faithful.
A priest from Peru pointed out the specifics of the regional devotions to Our Lady:
Our Lady of the Gate (Virgen de la Puerta)
Deeply rooted in Otuzco, La Libertad. One of the most important Marian devotions in northern Peru, closely associated with popular faith and protection.
Our Lady of Candelaria (Virgen de la Candelaria)
Central to religious life in Puno, where her feast is among the largest religious and cultural celebrations in the country, blending Catholic liturgy with Andean cultural expressions.
Our Lady of Mercy (Virgen de la Merced)
A major national devotion. She is the Patroness of the Peruvian Armed Forces and National Police, giving her strong institutional and historical significance.
Our Lady of Chapi (Virgen de Chapi)
Closely linked to Arequipa and southern Peru. Her sanctuary is one of the region’s most important pilgrimage sites, especially during the May celebrations.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Virgen del Carmen)
Widespread throughout Peru, with especially strong expressions in the southern Andes (notably Paucartambo). The devotion often merges Catholic faith with local cultural identity.
Our Lady of Cocharcas (Virgen de Cocharcas)
Originating in Apurímac and historically spreading to Ayacucho and beyond. While less known nationally, it is a deeply significant regional devotion.
Our Lady of Evangelization (Virgen de la Evangelización)
Venerated in Cusco, closely tied to the earliest evangelization efforts in Peru and the Andes. She is regarded as the spiritual patroness of the Archdiocese of Cusco.
Saints
In addition to these gifts for the Vatican Gardens, the Peruvian bishops also gave a smaller medallion that features Jesus in the center, with the five saints so far canonized from Peru.
In the image, on the left side we have the three Dominicans: Rose, Martin, Juan. Jesus the Good Shepherd is in the center. And on the right is Turibius, with a bishop's miter, and Francis Solano.
1St. Rose of Lima
One of the best-known saints from Peru, St. Rose was a Dominican tertiary. She was the first saint canonized from South America.
2St. Martin de Porres
Many miracles are associated with St. Martin de Porres, another Dominican, and his humble ministry.
3St. Turibius of Mogrovejo
Not as well-known in the English-speaking world, St. Turibius (Toribio) was the Archbishop of Lima, Peru, and baptized nearly a half a million souls. This year is the anniversary of his canonization.
4St. Francis Solano
A Franciscan missionary in Peru, St. Francis defended the Indigenous people and worked to protect their rights.
5St. Juan Macias
A Dominican missionary who lived around the same time as the other saints of Peru, St. Juan worked among the rich and poor in Lima.
