Today, Costa Rica celebrates La Romería a la Virgen de los Ángeles, and everyone in the Communications Office, as well as our lovely instructor Donna decided to join in the famous Costa Rican tradition.

The country is honoring its patron saint, la Virgen de los Ángeles with a pilgrimage to the famed basilica in the city of Cartago. The annual Aug. 2 pilgrimage draws some 2.5 million people to visit La Negrita and thank her for miracles.

Legend says that nearly 400 years ago, a 6-inch small black stone statue of a mother and child was discovered perched on a boulder in the forest surrounding Costa Rica’s then-capital, Cartago. Attempts to remove her magically failed. Thus began the recognition and celebration of the day of the Virgen de los Angeles. Visitors to the basilica can see the rock where she appeared and display cases filled with tokens of appreciation for prayers answered. They also collect containers of holy water from a spring underneath the church.

Since Monday, the streets from San Jose to Cartago have been flooded with faithful romeros, the term for the devoted Costa Rican Catholics making the peregrination. It is 22-kilometer distance from San Jose to the church, some choose to complete the last few hundred meters on their knees. It has been reported that 1.5 million Costa Ricans from all over the country were in attendance… plus six culturally-inspired gringas from Outward Bound Costa Rica!

Numerous streets will be closed and special lanes on major highways blocked off for the pilgrims, who will be watched over by police and Red Cross volunteers.

Our motivated OBCR ladies woke up before the crack of dawn to be able to make the 15-kilometer trek from our base in Tres Rios to the basilica all before the day’s work. Half decided to walk the pilgrimage to enjoy the journey and take in the sights while the other half were determined to run it out. Take a look at the journey and stay tuned for more footage, as the la Macha aka Bethany is making the trek tonight!