Capilla Ntra. Señora de Itati

“A simple house, yet a beacon of faith.” That’s the essence of Capilla Ntra. Señora de Itati, nestled here on Falucho Street. This unassuming structure, marked by a prominent brown cross and bell tower, holds the spirit of the revered Virgin of Itati. The Capilla Ntra. Señora de Itati serves as a spiritual home for devotees from Argentina’s Littoral provinces, drawn to the Virgin they revere. Inside Capilla Ntra. Señora de Itati, simplicity reigns. A single nave leads to a glass wall, revealing a tranquil patio filled with plants. Statues of San Cayetano, San José, San Antonio de Padua, and the Sacred Heart watch over the faithful. A captivating image of Our Lady of Sorrows, encased in glass, draws the eye. Opposite, a crucifix with Mary at Jesus’ feet evokes profound emotion. Multiple images of the Virgin of Itati grace the chapel. One greets you upon entry, while a replica of the Virgin of Corrientes, donated by the faithful, stands near the altar, accompanied by her prayer. Capilla Ntra. Señora de Itati’s story begins in 1979. It was inaugurated on November 24th, marking a new chapter for a building that once housed a family and later, a boarding house for the Young Women’s Catholic Workers. A pilgrimage to Itati in Corrientes led a family to offer their former home to the Church. Monsignor Juan Carlos Aramburu graced the inauguration, where a small image of the Virgin was placed beneath the staircase, forming a makeshift altar. The journey of Capilla Ntra. Señora de Itati continued with donations. A closed religious school on Potosi Street gifted the Sacred Heart and a Christ figure that now adorns the altar. The building transformed from a boarding house to a sanctuary, thanks to a dedicated architect who envisioned the simple, rustic design. The first priest, Eduardo González, served the Capilla Ntra. Señora de Itati for six years, followed by Father Fernando Echevarría, whose 33-year tenure saw the completion of renovations and the beginning of the Virgin’s festivities. The liturgical day of the Virgin is celebrated on July 9th with mass and a buffet. On July 16th, the celebration expands into a vibrant Correntinian festival with Chamamé music. The last Saturday of November sees the arrival of a pilgrim Virgin from Corrientes, a tradition cherished by the community. A touching anecdote recalls a procession with the pilgrim Virgin to Plaza Almagro, where a rainbow appeared under a bright sun, inspiring the creation of a small shrine to the Virgin in the plaza.