Although for the first time in 69 years the Virgin of Zapopan did not visit Los Alacranes Island, the image of the General toured Lake Chapala as is tradition.
The journey of the Virgin of Zapopan to Lake Chapala began at 10:30 in the morning once she left the San Francisco de Asís temple. A white and blue boat adorned with a wreath of flowers was already waiting for her on the lake.
The image of the General was guarded at all times by the friars and traveled approximately 800 meters of Lake Chapala in a 20-minute journey.
“More than anything, we pray for the lake to recover, that is why we take her so that she blesses the lake and then we return. This year we could not take her to the island because of the low level, but if next year it is high enough, we will not take her to the island,” said Daniel, a boatman from Chapala.
Why is the Virgin Mary prayed for Lake Chapala?
Seventy years ago, Lake Chapala was facing one of its worst water crises, so the Virgin Mary was asked for her intercession to rain. Once the miracle occurred, her pilgrimage is held every year in this municipality on the initiative of Cardinal José Garibi Rivera.
Since then, the visit of the Virgin of Zapopan has become a religious attraction, even for foreign tourists.
“For me it is a wonderful thing. I come from Arizona, it is the first time I have seen this, but it is a delight that for the first time is enormous for me,” said María Barrera, a tourist.
Once the tour was over, the image of the Virgin of Zapopan was taken to the Chapala Boardwalk where a mass was offered.
There, the faithful were able to be closer to the image to ask for her intercession so that the lake recovers the high water levels during this storm.
The visit of the Virgin of Zapopan to Chapala ended at 4:45 p.m. with a song of the Salve. The farewell of the image was carried out among cheers and applause on its return to Zapopan.
They ask for a good rainstorm
Currently Lake Chapala is at 40 percent of its capacity, which indicates that the main intention is to ask for a good rainstorm so that the lake fills up again and increases its level.
Due to the low level, there are fewer and fewer visitors, say merchants and boatmen.
“When people offer them a boat ride, they respond that there is no water, so, so as not to look bad, they don’t respond or simply say, “That boat is over there,” and so, one reserves the comment more than anything,” said Daniel.
“Well, more than anything, tourism is what is going down because, as you can see right now, there are people for the visit of the General, but during the week, it is practically alone,” he added.
According to CONAGUA data, Lake Chapala had a capacity of 66 percent in March 2022. In 2023, it was reduced to 58 percent and in July 2024 its levels barely reached 40 percent.
Source: milenio
