¿Quién causa tanta alegría? - Vem orsakar så mycket glädje?

Sammanfattning: This essay studies the role of Mary, Jesus' mother, among women in Nicaragua. The aim is to investigate how Mary is present in the Nicaraguan feast la Purísima and how that relates to Mary in everyday life. Doing so, the research intends to contribute to the research about Mary in the Latin American context. Originally, the celebration of the feast started in the Eastern Church in the 7th century, commemorating the conception of Mary. In 1854 the Catholic Church established the dogma of the Immaculate Conception which means that Mary is free from original sin. The analysis is based on nine semi-structured qualitative interviews with women that celebrate la Purísima, as well as participatory observations. Research about Mary in Latin American popular religiosity as well as feminist liberation theology has been applied in the analysis. The research shows that Mary is regarded as being present in everyday life as well as in the celebrations of la Purísima mainly as a mother. The interviewees have a personal relationship with Mary. In everyday life she is important as a helper. It is possible to identify with Mary, but she is at the same time unique. During the celebration the interviewees show Mary their love. The definition of the immaculate conception is varied among the interviewees and not always in accordance with the dogma. The celebrations contribute to unity and abundance of food. The celebrations are valuable as a moment of break from economic shortage and lack of appreciation of women in everyday life. The unity has a long-term effect on keeping generations together, but not in terms of changing economic and gender structures. A focus on Mary as a critic towards injustice seems to have a connection to a minor focus on celebrating la Purísima.