Although it is considered a Catholic tradition par excellence, it is also an opportunity for families, co-workers and communities to strengthen their relationships and faith around a prayer.
A few years ago, research professor Daniel Unigarro, from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism of the University of La Salle, co-authored the book “The Novena of the Child God in Colombia”, in which he inquires about the relevance, history and cultural consolidation of the Christmas Novena in Colombian homes.
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This study yielded some interesting conclusions and revealed the importance of the text that we proclaim for nine days, from December 16 to 24 each year.
The original text of the Novena is authored by fray Fernando de Jesús Larrea y Dávalos, belonging to the Franciscan community of Quito-Ecuador, who lived during the 18th century and was an outstanding preacher and missionary who traveled from the south of Peru to the north of the Colombian Caribbean.
He also led the foundation of important mission colleges such as those of Pomasqui, Popayán and Cali.
Franciscan spirituality
As the spiritual guide of the founder of the Colegio de La Enseñanza in Santa Fé de Bogotá, Mrs. María Clemencia de Caycedo, she transmitted many of her ascetic and devotional practices to her, among which it is believed was the “Novena for the Strenna”, written “of in accordance with Franciscan spirituality, to intimately celebrate the mystery of the incarnation that explains God’s greatest gift to humanity: his son made man”, Unigarro explains.
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Although the first known impression in Bogotá dates from 1784, we currently do not pray Larrea’s version. Precisely “to adapt the vocabulary and perhaps generate a greater closeness with the people, mother María Ignacia of the Company of María Nuestra Señora, whose given name was Bertilda Samper Acosta, daughter of prominent liberal intellectuals of the 19th century, modified some asides and included the translation from French of others that would be part of the ‘Novena del Niño Dios’ from 1910, which would have the approval of the Archbishop of Bogotá, Bernardo Herrera Restrepo”, points out the teacher.
A sense of Colombian identity
This version included the prayers, considerations and joys that we recite (almost by heart) every year, which according to the co-author of the book has allowed “the installation of common sense in the Colombian population, regardless of whether or not they are believers or practitioners of some cult, given that the structuring of the Christmas period prior to the commemoration of the birth is determined by the reading of the Christmas Novena in the family, companies and shopping centers”.
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The scope of this is such that it can even be affirmed that it is “not only a socio-religious but a sociocultural practice, which has become an intergenerational tradition that encompasses other practices such as nativity scenes, Christmas carols and also gastronomy”, highlights Unigarro. .
By last, La Novena is part of the Colombian intangible cultural heritage, but until now it has not required a safeguard plan for its validity and validity.
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The Christmas novena in Colombia: intangible national heritage