“What if a humble house transformed into a beacon of faith?” That’s the story of Capilla Nuestra Señora de Itatí. We are standing before a testament to devotion in Buenos Aires. This chapel is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a story etched in faith and community spirit.
Capilla Nuestra Señora de Itatí has a fascinating origin. The land it occupies was once a family home. Later, it housed a boarding house for young female Catholic workers until the 1970s. The family made a pilgrimage to Itatí in Corrientes. They prayed to the Virgin Mary and their wish was granted.
Grateful, the family sought to donate their home. They wanted to establish a chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Itatí. The Curia approved. Father Eduardo González was appointed as the first parish priest. The house was cleaned and prepared. The chapel was inaugurated in the presence of Monsignor Juan Carlos Aramburu. A small image of the Virgin was placed beneath the staircase.
Later, a religious school on Potosí Street closed. It donated a Sacred Heart statue and a Christ figure to the chapel. These adorn the altar. The upper part of the building served as the priest’s residence. The lower section was the former boarding house. It was demolished to make way for a proper church. An architect designed a simple and rustic temple. Plumbing and restrooms were added for the faithful. An altar with a curtain was created for Mass.
Father González led the Capilla Nuestra Señora de Itatí for six years. Father Fernando Echevarría succeeded him and served for 33 years. During his tenure, the church was completed and celebrations for the Virgin began. A hall for festivities was later built. The feast day of the Virgin is celebrated on July 9th. July 16th marks the anniversary of her coronation.
On July 9th, a Mass is held. A buffet offers traditional foods like locro, empanadas, and choripanes. The July 16th celebration includes a Correntinean festival with chamamé music. Pilgrims attend these events. Every year, on the last Saturday of November, a pilgrim Virgin is brought from Corrientes.
Once, the pilgrim Virgin was carried to Plaza Almagro on a truck. A large crowd gathered under a radiant sun. Suddenly, a rainbow appeared. That is why Plaza Almagro was chosen as the site for a shrine to the Virgin.
Capilla Nuestra Señora de Itatí is a hub of activity. Mass is celebrated daily. Children prepare for their First Communion. They attend a two-year course followed by another year for Confirmation. Catechesis is also offered for adults. Baptisms are held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Eucharistic ministers visit the elderly and sick. Cáritas provides clothing and non-perishable food to those in need. For 24 years, a pilgrimage has been made to Itatí in August. Donations of food, clothing, shoes, books, and toys are collected.
Capilla Nuestra Señora de Itatí stands as a symbol of faith. It represents community and enduring devotion. It’s a reminder that even humble beginnings can give rise to something truly special. Remember the story of the family’s gratitude. Recall the dedication of the priests and the devotion of the parishioners. They have all shaped this sacred space.