Photos capture Chileans devotion and celebration for patron saint Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Anita Letelier takes part in a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
LA TIRANA, Chile (AP) — Drawn by faith, Chileans made their way to the sacred sanctuary in La Tirana, on the outskirts of Santiago. Built on ground once hallowed by Chile’s fight for freedom, the shrine honors the Virgen del Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the nation’s patron saint, whose feast day, July 16, draws the faithful in prayer and celebration.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Church staff hold up Diablita dancer Berta Burgos, 101, in her wheelchair during a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Church staff hold up Diablita dancer Berta Burgos, 101, in her wheelchair during a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
A parishioner crawls to church during a celebration of the Virgin of Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
A parishioner crawls to church during a celebration of the Virgin of Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Diablito dancers take part in a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Diablito dancers take part in a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Dancers perform during a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Dancers perform during a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
A priest takes part in a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
A priest takes part in a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Diablada dancers rest after performing in a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Diablada dancers rest after performing in a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
A Diablada dancer performs during a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
A Diablada dancer performs during a celebration of the Virgen de Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Diablada dancers perform during a celebration of the Virgin of Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Diablada dancers perform during a celebration of the Virgin of Carmel, Chile’s patron saint, in La Tirana, Chile, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)