Sarah Robberts | Costa Rica
On April 25 in Cartago, Costa Rica, there was a significant religious celebration. It was the 100th anniversary of the pope officially recognizing the “Lady of the Angels” as the queen and patron saint of Costa Rica. She was crowned by the pope in April 1926. The small, dark image representing Mary here in Costa Rica is often referred to as “La Negrita,” or “the Little Black One.” The image is revered as the representation of Mary to this country. She is worshipped devotedly.
My heart was deeply saddened as I saw photos of the golden glory and intense devotion heaped on this little statue. I thought of the story in the book of Acts, where the people chanted, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians,” and I thought how this is very much like that worship hundreds of years ago.
This is a statement that was published by a local news outlet: “At this time of grace, upon the celebration of 100 years from the Pontifical Coronation of Our Lady of the Angels, we behold with happiness our Mother, who is found below her throne, closer to her children, to receive all pilgrims with love. The Virgin awaits us with tenderness, like a mother who listens, consoles, and accompanies. At her feet arrive our prayers, our tears, our promises, and our gratitude.”
Mary is worshipped here as divine, an equal to (or greater than) Christ. This is blasphemy, and a twisted theology that has enslaved generations of Costa Ricans who pray to her, bring offerings to her, and hail her as a goddess. Pilgrimages are made, with devotees walking many miles to pay homage to her.
This religious system is so dangerous because there is enough truth and Scripture to make people believe that they are truly following God, yet there is no conversion—no life transformed by the power of the Gospel.
Our prayer is that, in this darkness, we can shine the light of salvation by faith in Christ alone!
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5