In a deeply moving celebration of faith, the Church in Bolivia has inaugurated a new chapel at the very site where the Virgin of Cotoca is believed to have appeared centuries ago, renewing devotion to one of the country’s most beloved Marian figures.
The “Inmaculada Concepción” Chapel was officially inaugurated on March 15, 2026, at the Monte de la Grandiosa in the community of Azusaquí, located in the municipality of Warnes, Santa Cruz. The celebration was marked by a solemn Eucharistic Mass presided over by Archbishop René Leigue, drawing a large number of faithful who gathered in prayer and thanksgiving.
This sacred place holds deep historical significance, as tradition recounts that the image of the Virgin was discovered inside a tree trunk by fugitives in the 18th century—an event that gave rise to the enduring devotion to the “Mamita de Cotoca.”
During the homily, Archbishop Leigue described the chapel as a “spiritual refuge,” inviting believers to strengthen their faith and reconnect with their history. The site, now transformed into a place of prayer and pilgrimage, stands as a testimony to generations of faith and Marian devotion. The construction of the chapel was made possible through the collaboration of the Church, civil society, and generous faithful, reflecting a shared commitment to preserving this sacred heritage.
For many believers, this new chapel is more than a structure—it is a living sign of God’s presence, where the faithful are invited to encounter Christ through the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.