The Santuario de la Virgen de la Nube, better known as the Franciscan Sanctuary Our Lady of the Cloud, is a church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Azogues, located in the eastern part of the Ecuadorian city of Azogues, capital of the province of Cañar. It was built between 1912 and 1954. It is a church of singular and beautiful construction that dates from the Republican era, its entire structure as well as its stairways were made with carved stone from the Abuga hill. The High Altar of the sanctuary is entirely carved in fine wood, covered with gold leaf. In the central part of it is the image of the Virgin of the Cloud.

History

The invocation of the Blessed Virgin of the Cloud originated in the city of Quito in the year 1696, around a manifestation of the Virgin Mary, whose image was formed (according to testimonies) from the clouds of heaven.

The image that is currently venerated in her Sanctuary was carved by the Cuencan artist Don Daniel Alvarado Bermeo in 1899.

The Sanctuary was built on the basis of Mingas, according to the chronicles written by Fr. José María Idígoras, up to almost 200 people per Minga gathered. After the years this fraternity was elevated to guardianship on September 17, 1919.

To increase the devotion of our Lady of the Cloud, the CHORUS of the Virgin, made up of 30 families each, were created. According to the chronicles, in 1927 there were 21 choirs.

On October 24, 1965, the community of Franciscan Fathers of Azogues requested the decree of canonization of the 'Virgin of the Cloud'. The act in which the Catholic Church allows public worship and where a liturgical feast is assigned in honor of the image as well as its power of intercession before God took place on January 1, 1967.

On July 27, 1971, half of the temple was seriously affected by a deadly earthquake that had its epicenter in the south-east of Ecuador, whose effects were felt strong in much of northwestern South America, from which a large wall collapsed. that served as protection for the sanctuary, and from which said retaining wall had to be restored.

Apostolate

The parishioners of the Ecuadorian community of our parish St. Matthews pay homage to the Virgin of the Cloud through the novena that takes place days before the great feast. On January 1st, the day of the festivity, the procession takes place, followed by the Eucharist and then a meeting with the community is held in the Parish Hall of the St. Matthew's Church.