Our Lady of the Valley (Virgen del Valle)

The image of the Immaculate Conception known as the Virgen del Valle came from Spain in the sixteenth century to the pearl-fishing town of Nueva Cádiz, on the island of Cubagua, off the coast of Venezuela. When the town was destroyed and abandoned around 1541, the image was taken to the neighboring island of Margarita and enthroned in the Valle del Espíritu Santo, which gave her her name.

Devotion spread through all of eastern Venezuela. The image was canonically crowned in 1911, and her shrine in El Valle del Espíritu Santo is a minor basilica. She is honored as patroness of eastern Venezuela, of Margarita and of fishermen and sailors.

Margariteños tell how a pearl diver, wounded by a stingray, promised the Virgin his first pearl if he was healed; the pearl he later found had the shape of his injured leg and is still kept at her shrine.

Every September 8 thousands of pilgrims fill El Valle with music, processions and boats decorated in her honor, and Venezuelans abroad, especially in Florida, celebrate her with Masses and serenades.