Virgen de Cuapa Day in Nicaragua

Every year, on May 8, Nicaragua celebrates the Day of the Virgin of Cuapa; a special date for the Catholic faithful who celebrate one more anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Cuapa, Chontales.

Likewise, all the faithful take advantage of the Day of the Virgin of Cuapa to ask her intercession for health, peace, work and many other petitions that are made with much fervor, prayer and faith.

The apparition of the Virgin of Cuapa occurred on May 8, 1980 in the town of Cuapa, department of Chontales when Nicaragua was in civil war. Bernardo Martinez was the person that the Virgin chose to transmit her message.

According to the story, the apparitions of the Virgin of Cuapa were several and began on May 8, 1980. That day, Bernardo decided to go fishing in the river, and on his way back, he decided to lie down in a tree to pray for a while. At three o'clock in the afternoon he saw a flash of lightning and without knowing where it came from, he walked six steps and saw another flash of lightning; it was then that he saw the Virgin under the title of The Assumption where she asked Bernardo to tell everyone that they should pray the rosary every day, not only during the month of May.

The apparitions continued to happen until October 13 when she was seen for the last time. The apparitions were confirmed by the Catholic Church as a way to preserve the Virgin's message.