El Cajas National Park: A temple of natural beauty and Faith

Posted On 31 May 2013

Patricia Talbot

Today, the area of El Cajas is not only known for its scenery and extensive flora and fauna, but also for being recently declared a protected biosphere reserve by the UNESCO. However, this particular site keeps a sacred history which involves thousands of people and especially one in particular; the seer Patricia Talbot.

In August 28, 1988, when she was just 16 years old and completing her 4th year of high school, Patricia lived a religious experience when a very bright light invaded her room and was presented as the Virgin Mary who said:

“Don´t be afraid. I’m Your Mother in Heaven. Lay your hands on your chest and pray a lot for peace in the world that now is when it is most needed. I love you so much, my Little girl. Change. Pray for the Priests and Religious, because Satan tempts them to sin, and its main attack will be the confusion. Tomorrow, first thing, I want you, my little girl, to make me an altar on this site and put blessed candles. I am the Guardian of the Faith, and I’ll always be with you. Now, my little girl, call your mom, pray until dawn as I have shown you. I love you very much, my little girl “.

Patricia rezaba en el Santuario de la Virgen de El Cajas

Over time, this young lady was several times a witness of this appearances both in her bedroom as well as during a visit to the Cathedral of Mexico and the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, where the Virgin told her:

“Daughter, pray a lot for the peace in the world because it is right now when it is most needed. I’m holding the arm of my Son. Change and convert yourselves. I love you very much. Goodbye.” Back in Cuenca, Patricia went to see the Archbishop and told him about the apparitions of the Holy Mother and handed the messages she received; however she did not have a positive response.

In June 15, 1989, Patricia is guided by the Virgin to a garden of 3,540 meters tall. It was El Cajas National Park, located 20 kilometers from Cuenca. Soon, the news spread around the country: a young Ecuadorian who communicated with the Virgin Mary would be willing to build a shrine in her name, for her worshipers to visit.

Patricia Talbot with Pope John Paul II

In El Cajas National Park, the appearances of the Virgin, Guardian of the Faith, were on Thursdays and Saturdays. Thousands of people lived different but special experiences. Movements of the sun, golden rains that covered the faces and hands of glowing frost. There were many conversions and also was born a mission to help the needy.

In the latest apparition, on March 3, 1990, around 115,000 people traveled to El Cajas (Ecuador). Our Mother in Heaven, through Pachi, blessed them and told them about her great love. She asked them to keep praying and to not forget the great commandment of love.

Mary’s messages were a call to prayer, a consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to the merciful heart of Jesus, to pray the Rosary and the use of the Scapular, penance, feasting, and increase the attendance to Mass, a call to personal holiness.

This park, protected by the Unesco, became a genuine sanctuary of the Virgin of Cajas, where even today is visited by thousands of tourists, locals and foreigners, of various beliefs and religions.

Patricia Talbot Borrero, today is a homemaker and a catechist for the community of the ‘Keeper of the Faith’.