Doesn’t it feel like this corner of Parque Chacabuco whispers secrets of faith and philanthropy? Here we stand before the imposing Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa. Its story is deeply intertwined with both divine devotion and earthly generosity.
Back in 1930 Argentina was buzzing with excitement. It was the centennial of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions to Saint Catherine Labouré in Paris. Throngs of grateful believers flooded Plaza de Mayo. They joined a procession organized by the Daughters of Charity.
Cardinal Luis Copello then approached the Congregation of the Mission. He inquired about their interest in establishing a new parish in Parque Chacabuco under the Virgin Mary’s patronage. The sisters embraced this vision and sought benefactors to fund their grand ambition.
Enter Adelia María Harilaos de Olmos. She was the daughter of a wealthy landowning family. Adelia adopted the project as her own. Besides contributing a substantial sum she personally oversaw every construction detail of Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa. Her mansion became the unofficial headquarters for the Santuario’s commission.
Initially Adelia hired French architects Albert Favré and Ulysse Trouvé. They were known for designing palaces for Buenos Aires’ elite. However Cardinal Copello rejected their design. He preferred the Neo-Romanesque style. He viewed it as a symbol of virtue and strength.
Finally in 1934 the cornerstone was laid. The ceremony was a grand affair attended by President Agustín P. Justo. Father Esteban Mattías took charge of the project on behalf of the Vincentian Congregation.
On November 27 1938 a significant moment arrived. The 5.30-meter-high image of the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal was blessed. This statue crowns the Santuario and was created by sculptor Santiago José Chiérico.
The inauguration of Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa took place on November 22 1941. The magnificent Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa boasts two towers. It also has a hexagonal dome covered in tiles. The dome reaches almost 41 meters high. Four smaller towers surround it. Atop them is the statue of the Virgin Mary.
Inside the church features 110 beautiful stained-glass windows. These are the work of A. Estruch’s firm. The image of Our Lady on the main altar was brought from Paris. Thousands of faithful come to pray before it.
Much of the funding for the church’s construction came from Marquesa Pontificia Doña María Adelia Harilaos de Olmos and the Daughters of Mary. In January 1942 the church became a parish. Father Adolfo Polverini became its first parish priest.
Today the parochial school accommodates over a thousand students. Its dining hall feeds hundreds in need. The Parroquia Medalla Milagrosa is an important part of Buenos Aires’ religious and cultural heritage. It has the most stained-glass windows in the city around 150. In 1980 it was declared a Diocesan Sanctuary. Pilgrims have flocked here for over 80 years.
As you stand here take a moment. Reflect on the blend of faith art and generosity that shaped this beautiful sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa.