“Unmoved!” the oxen drivers cried, their whips cracking uselessly. It all began with a statue of the Virgin Mary. It is now venerated as Our Lady of Luján. Let’s uncover the fascinating tale of the Virgen Maria Statue in Buenos Aires.
The story begins in 1630. A settler in Argentina desired to reinvigorate the Catholic faith. He ordered a terracotta image of the Immaculate Conception from Brazil. The statue, only 38 cm tall, arrived in Buenos Aires. It was en route to Santiago del Estero.
The caravan stopped at Don Rosendo Oramas’s home, in present-day Zelaya. When they tried to leave, the oxen refused to move. Removing the crate with the Virgin Mary statue changed everything. The oxen started moving again. This was seen as a sign. The statue wished to remain there. For 40 years, the statue stayed there. It was venerated in a simple chapel.
Ana de Matos acquired the statue later. She moved it to Luján. Today, it resides in a basilica built between 1890 and 1937. This basilica is known as Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Luján.
The basilica boasts impressive neo-gothic architecture. Its two 106-meter-tall copper-roofed towers are visible from afar. Ulderico Courtois, a French architect, designed the building. The basilica is often mistaken for a cathedral. The actual cathedral for the Archdiocese of Mercedes-Luján is in Mercedes.
In 1886, Pope Leo XIII honored the statue. He ordered a Canonical Coronation. The golden crown is adorned with enamels. These show the emblems of the Archbishop and Argentina. It also features 365 diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and 132 pearls. The coronation took place on May 8, 1887.
Several popes have honored Nuestra Señora de Luján. John Paul II was the only pope to visit the shrine. This happened in 1982 during the Falklands War. He bestowed upon her the Golden Rose. This is a golden rose stem with flowers, buds, and leaves. It sits in a silver vase bearing the Papal shield.
Our Lady of Luján is the patron saint of Argentina. Pope Pius XI formally declared this in 1930. She is also the patron saint of Paraguay and Uruguay. Her feast day is May 8. It is celebrated throughout Argentina, especially in Luján.
Luján is about 68 km northwest of Buenos Aires. It is easily accessible by bus or railway. The city is known as “La Capital de la Fe.” Each year, over 6 million Catholics visit the basilica. Some even walk from Buenos Aires.
The statue itself has a silver covering since 1887. This prevents its decay. It typically wears a white robe and sky-blue cloak. These are the colors of the Argentine flag.
Each year, around six million people visit the shrine. Pilgrimages occur during four major periods. The Peregrinación de los Gauchos is one. It happens on the last Sunday of September. Gauchos are the cowboys of Argentina. Their horses often wait outside the church during this time. The Peregrinación de los Jóvenes occurs on the first Sunday in October. Around a million youths walk 68 kilometers from Buenos Aires to the Basilica.
The Virgen Maria Statue in Buenos Aires is more than a religious icon. It’s a symbol of faith. It embodies a unique blend of history, tradition, and Argentine identity. Its story remains etched in the hearts of millions.