By Amanda Roberson, Tico Times Staff

Thousands of devout Catholic Costa Ricans have embarked on an annual pilgrimage to visit the country’s patron saint, Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, commonly known as La Negrita, in the old colonial capital of Cartago, east of San José.

As tradition goes, the pious are walking along the main highway leading to Cartago, and police officers on foot, horse, motorcycle and bicycle are patrolling the route, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry. Police will also oversee walkers entering the basilica Wednesday.

Additionally, mobile units of lawyers, doctors, paramedics and Red Cross officials are available to help in the event of a problem, the statement said.

So far, one fatal accident along the route has occurred, according to Red Cross spokesman Carlos Bolaños. A young man identified by the last name Rodríguez, 26, was hit by a car and killed yesterday in Curridabat, east of San José, Bolaños said. A man identified by the last name Campos, 53, was also hit and injured.

“Traditionally, accidents that occur along the walk are caused by the number of people in the streets and people driving too fast,” Bolaños said. “We advise walkers to maintain a safe distance from the shoulder of the road.”

The main highway to Cartago will be closed today and will remain closed until Wednesday, Day of Our Lady of the Angels, Bolaños said.

Police have advised walkers not to carry objects of value with them, to stay in groups and not to stray from common routes, said Public Security Ministry spokesman Humberto Balestino.

Walkers can count on their cell phones to work during their journey, according to a statement from the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the government-run telecommunications monopoly.

ICE reinforced cell phone service provider equipment in the Cartago area so that cell phone users will be able to stay connected during their journey.

The idea is to allow Costa Ricans to “maintain their faith through this tradition with the greatest security and calmness — not just for pilgrims, but also for their families and friends,” the statement said.