A history of love

a gift of God

The advocation of “Mary, Guardian of the Faith,” became publicly known in 1988, in Cuenca, Ecuador. Cuenca is the third most populated city in the mountain range at 2,532 meters above sea level. Cuenca was a Eucharistic and Marian city by excellence until the middle of the XX century. The Virgin Mary manifested herself as Holy Mary ever Virgin, the “Guardian of the Faith.”

The desires of our Mother’s heart are the following:

“To pray the Holy Rosary which is the shield against evil. To wear the Scapular which will protect us. To have the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus present in our homes, because it will keep us united and in peace. To fast and do penance — united with prayer, thereby, we will reach the Heart of Jesus. To attend Holy Mass daily and visit the Blessed Sacrament. To always pray for this will keep us under her Mantle and in the Heart of her Son Jesus.” (Synthesis No. 5)

El deseo del corazón de nuestra Santa Madre como Guardiana de la Fe es guiarnos en el camino de las virtudes, ya que en los distintos aspectos de la vida nos enseña cómo caminar y vivir de la fe, convencidos que la fe es el don más grande de Dios para llevar la vida, con sus alegrías y dolores. Es ella quien nos lleva a Cristo mismo por el camino de la fe. Como Guardiana de la Fe, Madre de la Fe, Peregrina de la Fe, ella nos lleva a descubrir el rostro de Cristo en todos los hombres y nos guía hacia la santidad.

There is an enormous need for an authentic conversion, seeking as well the conversion of our brothers and sisters. Our Mother unceasingly repeats that we are all her “little ones and her children.” It is also the desire of her heart that we learn the importance of wearing and praying the powerful prayer of the Holy Rosary. It is like a door to Heaven, an anchor for salvation, as well as a shield against evil —for prayer is a potent weapon.

Sobre todo nos enseña a amar la vida sacramental, con ferviente amor a la Eucaristía, la Misa diaria y visita a Jesús Sacramentado. María como Guardiana de la Fe nos lleva al corazón de la Iglesia y a una vida Sacramental.

Since the 15th of June of 1989, El Cajas has been known as the Blessed Mother’s Garden, designated by her as a “little piece of Heaven.” Situated at a far removed location, 3,540 meters above sea level, in the sector known as El Cajas, 27.5 kilometers west of the city of Cuenca. Some of the largest pilgrimages known in Ecuador have been realized there, leaving a calling for sincere conversion, and a sacramental life of mercy in the Church.

By decree of the Archdiocese, a Sanctuary was erected dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity and the Virgin Mary Guardian of the Faith. It is a place of recollection and prayer with the celebration of Holy Mass, the prayer of the Way of the Cross, pilgrimages, and where abundant fruits of conversion have taken place. Many marvelous graces have been poured forth in the Sanctuary, above all, graces of conversion of thousands of people in the country and from abroad. It has been and continues to be, a gift of great love that has been received. It also persists in pouring forth graces and awakening many souls to conversion.

Since the first moments until today, the desires of our Mother of Heaven continue to be realized at the Sanctuary: the pilgrimage starting at 6 in the morning each First Saturday of the month walking eight kilometers to the Sanctuary. Upon arrival, the prayer of the Holy Rosary and the Prayer of the Way of the Cross are followed by Eucharistic Adoration. The morning culminates with the celebration of Holy Mass and the recitation of the Prayer of the Angelus at midday.

Founded in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, in the year 2000, the Association of Lay Faithful Mary Mother Guardian of the Faith was born as a fruit of our Mother’s love and is dedicated to evangelization, by sharing the calling to live a genuine conversion. Numerous groups of faithful in the country, as well as abroad, follow with interest the practices to lead a “coherent Catholic life” at the service of the Church.

A life of obedience to the Archbishop of Cuenca has always been observed. Many fruits of conversion and works of mercy are realized through the Association of Lay Faithful Mary Mother Guardian of the Faith with committed members to the service of the Church. Spiritual as well as corporal works of mercy are practiced; Casa Hogar was opened to house and care for children of the streets victims of abuse and addictions; food and shelter is given to the poor and elderly on the streets; care and consolation bestowed to single mothers in danger of aborting their babies; prayer with the sick and agonizing, amongst others.

Los “Cenáculos de Oración María Madre Guardiana de la Fe” se han establecido en varios países. Constan de dos partes: la práctica de la Lectio Divina (lectura de la Palabra Orante y contemplación) y el rezo del Santo Rosario, bajo la cuidadosa vigilancia de las diferentes diócesis en donde se encuentran. Se han producido maravillosos frutos espirituales en hombres, mujeres, jóvenes, niños, parejas de matrimonios, familias enteras quienes asisten, en estos cenáculos, a una seria práctica de la fe que lleva a una verdadera vida Sacramental. Hoy, las Misiones Internacionales de María Madre Guardiana de la Fe están permitiendo compartir el deseo de nuestra Madre de extender su manto de amor, fe, consuelo, y acercamiento a Jesús y a María.

The presence of our Mother as Guardian of the Faith has produced graces that continue to augment. The seeds of these graces are sprouting visible fruits for the Church and for the hearts of her “little children” who she so lovingly came to visit.

Taken from the books:

"Brief History", by Gastón Ramírez Salcedo.

Nihil Obstat 7/10/2001

“Synthesis of the Messages from the Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary Guardian of the Faith”, 2009.

History of the sanctuary

Since the 15th of June of 1989, El Cajas has been known as the Blessed Mother’s Garden, designated by her as a “a little piece of Heaven.” Situated at a far removed location, 3,540 meters above sea level, in the sector known as El Cajas, it is 27.5 kilometers west of the city of Cuenca. Some of the largest pilgrimages known in Ecuador have been realized there, leaving a calling for sincere conversion, and a sacramental life of mercy in the Church.

By decree of the Archdiocese, a Sanctuary was erected dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity and the Virgin Mary Guardian of the Faith. It is a place of recollection and where all the Sacraments are celebrated. Details are found in the History of the Sanctuary.
Y más como está detallado en la historia .

On 8 December 2002, Monsignor Vicente Cisneros Durán declared that very special site of El Cajas an Archdiocesan Sanctuary in honor of the Most Holy Trinity and the Immaculate Virgen Mary, Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Guardian of the Faith, Mystical Rose of El Cajas.

The Decree to build the Sanctuary dedicated to the Holy Trinity and the Immaculate Virgen Mary:

Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Guardian of the Faith, Mystical Rose of the Garden of El Cajas.

Monseñor Vicente R. Cisneros D.

Archbishop of Cuenca

Whereas:

1 That in a natural landscape of great beauty, as the one of El Cajas, a special devotion has developed to the most Holy Trinity and the Immaculate Virgin Mary, known as the Guardian of the Faith and Mystical Rose of the Garden of El Cajas.

2. That on numerous occasions thousands of faithful have gathered there to honor the Virgin Mary, Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit;

3. That, until today, there remains a particular devotion to the First Saturdays of the month as well as to other special devotions on particular occasions.

4. Que el año del Jubileo 2000 congregó cada sábado a numerosos feligreses y que el Obispo señaló como lugar para obtener la indulgencia plenaria jubilar;

5. That the Canon Code of Law No. 1230, can be applied to this place. It states: "the name of the Sanctuary designates a Church or other sacred place which, by reason of a particular devotion, numerous faithful come on pilgrimage with the approval of the Bishop.”

6.Que el terreno, en una cantidad de 25.000 metros, ha sido donado por la Fundación “Jardín del Cajas” a la Arquidiócesis de Cuenca;

He decreed:

1. ERÍJASE EN EL JARDÍN DEL CAJAS EL SANTUARIO DEDICADO A LA SANTISIMA TRINIDAD Y A LA INMACULADA VIRGEN MARÍA: HIJA DEL PADRE, MADRE DEL HIJO Y ESPOSA DEL ESPÍRITU SANTO, GUARDIANA DE LA FE, ROSA MÍSTICA DEL JARDÍN DEL CAJAS.

2. The Rector of the Sanctuary will be appointed by the Rev. Archbishop of Cuenca, Ecuador.

3. The Statues of this Diocesan Sanctuary will be prepared to be approved by the Archbishop of Cuenca. These Statutes shall specify the purpose of the Sanctuary and the authority of its Rector. Per Canon Code No. 1232 the dominion and administration of its goods shall be designated.

4. It is hereby requested, according to the will of the Church, that abundant means for the salvation of the faithful be made available in this place; preaching the Word of God with diligence and promoting with great care the liturgical life, principally through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance. Other forms of approved piety should be available also, as Canon Code 1234, 1, requests.

Decreed in the Archbishop's House of Cuenca, the 18th day of the month of February in the year of our Lord two thousand nine.