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History
Mary appears to two women, namely Afra Brígido Blanco (1928-2008), who is 17 years old at the time of the encounters with Our Lady, and Marcelina Barroso Expósito, who is 10 years old when the apparitions take place. Marcelina later becomes a nun and is given the name Misericordia de la Cruz (Mercy of the Cross). The two girls experience the apparitions of Mary separately.
On 27 May 1945, the first appearance occurs at Chandavila, approximately 1 kilometre outside La Codosera. Marcelina Barroso Expósito sees a dark figure standing in the mist near a group of trees. She pays no attention to the figure and continues towards La Codosera. A short while later, Marcelina sees the figure again. It is the Blessed Virgin. A few days later, a fellow villager, Dolores Lucio, claims to have had an apparition.
After a week, Marcelina sees the apparition for the third time in the morning. The apparition asks her to return in the afternoon, which Marcelina does, and many people from the village and region accompany her to the place of the apparition. Marcelina kneels and crawls 30 metres on her knees towards the tree where the apparition stands. This is followed by more apparitions of Mary, including one to Afra Brígido Blanco on 31 May 1945. Initially, Afra does not believe any of the events. This changes and she later receives stigmata (wounds like Jesus). Afra also has a vision on 17 June 1945.
On 29 July 1945, Afra Brígido Blanco prays the rosary, accompanied by Marcelina Barroso Expósito, Dolores Lucio, Gloria Gallego, and several others. Afra enters ecstasy at the 4th mystery, and the others leave her alone. Afra extends her arms on the ground and looks at the image of Jesus' crucifixion. In the early morning of the next day, Jesus appears to her with the wounds. Afterwards, she receives stigmata.
Marcelina Barroso Expósito recounts her experiences with the apparitions, stating that at first she sees a dark figure in the sky. Later, it becomes clear to her that the apparition is the Virgin of Sorrows. Mary wears a black mantle full of stars and stands by a chestnut tree. Marcelina says that Mary embraces her and kisses her on the forehead. Mary appears several times in Chandavila and is surrounded by shining stars. Our Lady asks Marcelina to trust in her love.
During and through the apparitions of Mary, miracles happen and these are attributed to Our Lady of Sorrows.
A chapel is built, and subsequently more buildings are erected on the sanctuary grounds.
A letter dated 22 August 2024 clarifies that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Vatican in Rome approves the devotion in Chandavila. José Rodríguez Carballo (born 1953), OFM (Ordo Fratrum Minorum) Order of Friars Minor, is Archbishop of Mérida-Badajoz (2024) and encourages spiritual activities in the Marian shrine.
Pilgrimage site
The Marian shrine is located 1 kilometre from the border with Portugal, near the town of La Codosera with approximately 2300 inhabitants.
The pilgrimage site is dedicated to “Nuestra Señora de los Dolores” (Our Lady of Sorrows).
On the facade of the church are the words “Perdón - Paz” and these stand for “forgiveness – peace”.
In the church are two tombstones, namely of the stigmatised seer Afra Brígido Blanco and of the sculptor of the devotional image, Jenaro Lázaro Gumiel (1901-1977). Gumiel made the image of the Virgin Mary and donated it to the sanctuary. The text on Afra's tombstone gives the words that Mary spoke to her on 17 June 1945: “My daughter, do not be afraid in the most bitter moments of your life. I will always be by your side.”
The pilgrimage site is open from Tuesday to Sunday, so it is closed on Mondays.
ACCESSIBILITY
The address of the pilgrimage site is: Calle Chandavila, 06518 La Codosera.
The sanctuary is located just across the border with Portugal in the province of Badajoz.
You can find current information on www.santuariochandavila.com.
Experience
After visiting Maria in the Portuguese Fatima, I come to the Spanish Chandavila. Barely 1 kilometre into Spain and I'm already at a special pilgrimage site where Our Lady appeared! Here, near the village of La Codosera, Maria visited two girls.
The car is parked amongst the trees and then I go to the church, where two elderly ladies welcome me. They speak Portuguese and Spanish and try to explain a few things about this Marian shrine to me. The ladies speak with great enthusiasm about the apparitions and lead me through the church. Subsequently, the two women invite me to go to the chapel of reconciliation, where large statues and paintings can be admired. After that, they take me to another chapel with a very beautiful statue of Our Lady.
The two ladies go ahead on the route through this sanctuary and we finally emerge onto the square in front of the church. Here we can enjoy a beautiful view of the pilgrimage church. I want to give myself more time to experience this and my thoughts turn to the apparitions at this place. I begin to pray.
The guided ladies then take me once more to the chapel of reconciliation. They tell me about the paintings and statues.
By visiting Chandavila, I want to get a picture of what Our Lady wanted here. This place exudes peace. Peace washes over me here. Now it's time to offer devotion to Mary. She is my support and refuge. I feel good being in Chandavila. What a rich person I feel!
Here Maria appeared and now I am in this place. It is now 2024 and Maria appeared here in 1945. So I am almost 80 years behind. I will never make up this leeway on Earth!
Environment
Travelling from the large city of Badajoz to Chandavila means travelling 60 km north-west.
Leaving Cáceres to arrive in Chandavila means travelling 90 km south-west.
Going from the major pilgrimage site of Fatima to Chandavila is a distance of 190 km in a southeasterly direction.
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