“Another passion of Christ” that’s what the locals called it. That’s how the Capilla del Robo got its name. Today, we explore this unique chapel in Quito. Officially named Capilla de Jerusalén, it’s also known as Iglesia del Robo. This Catholic center has a fascinating story.
El Robo was built in the 17th century. It served as atonement for a sacrilegious act. Someone had stolen the Blessed Sacrament from the Iglesia del Monasterio de Santa Clara. The chosen site for El Robo was significant. It was the Ullaguanga-yacu ravine. People also called it the quebrada de los Gallinazos. Part of the stolen relics were found here.
Let’s rewind to January 19, 1649. The Iglesia de Santa Clara suffered a theft. A chest containing sacred items disappeared. Inside were the Santísimo Sacramento, a silver vase, and hosts of various sizes.
The next morning, the Clarisa nuns searched for the stolen items. They found the chest. They also recovered the smaller hosts. These were in a corner of the quebrada de los Gallinazos. This spot was only a few meters from the Santa Clara Convent.
The people of Quito saw the crime as divine punishment. They began religious demonstrations. They likened the crime scene to a new Jerusalem. They believed Jesus Christ suffered another passion due to the sacrilege. This interpretation gave the ravine its new name: Jerusalén. The chapel built here also adopted this name. El Robo became a place of faith.
Months later, the culprits were caught. They confessed something remarkable. They said the ground where the nuns found the relics began to shake. This event added to the chapel’s mystique.
Bishop Agustín de Ugarte y Saravia ordered a chapel built. It had to be on the exact spot where the relics were recovered. The initial structure was simple. It was soon torn down for a better reconstruction. The devotees funded the new Capilla de Jerusalén.
El Robo stands as a testament to faith and repentance. It marks a dark event turned into a sacred space. Today, El Robo serves as both a church and a museum. Its history continues to draw visitors. The story of the stolen sacrament and its recovery still resonates. El Robo reminds us of the power of belief. It shows how a community can transform tragedy into something holy. Take a moment to reflect on this unique history. Consider the weight of faith and redemption. El Robo is a special place in Quito.