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1980Bishop Approved
Our Lady of Cuapa
Cuapa, Nicaragua
Visionaries: Bernardo Martinez, a church sacristan
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernardo Martinez, a humble church sacristan, in the small town of Cuapa, Nicaragua. Our Lady appeared clothed in white, standing on a cloud, and asked for the daily recitation of the Rosary and renewal of the First Saturday devotions. She warned of future sufferings for Nicaragua if the people did not change their ways.
History
On April 15, 1980, Bernardo Martinez entered an old chapel and observed a supernatural light illuminating from a statue of the Blessed Virgin. The Virgin later appeared to him in person, clothed in white and standing on a cloud. She appeared four times between April and October 1980, delivering messages about prayer, the Rosary, and the need for conversion. The apparitions occurred during a turbulent period in Nicaraguan history, shortly after the Sandinista revolution. Bishop Pablo Antonio Vega Mantilla of Juigalpa investigated and approved the apparitions in 1982. Bernardo Martinez was later ordained a priest.
Pilgrim ExperienceVisited May 2025
My visit to Our Lady of Cuapa
The apparition site of Our Lady of Cuapa in Cuapa has an atmosphere unlike anywhere else I have visited. You can feel the prayers of millions of pilgrims who have come before you. I attended Mass at the shrine and it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life.
January 8, 2026