“White stone” or “stone tip” is what Itatí means in the Guaraní language. This humble church is a place of immense faith. We are standing before the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Itatí. It is located in the Almagro neighborhood. The church serves as a Buenos Aires seat for the Basilica of Itatí. The Basilica is in Corrientes province.
In 1979, this building was inaugurated. It is a simple, yet charming temple. You see a large brown cross on its front. A bell tower marks it as a religious site. Look closely at the facade. There is a small image of the Virgin of Itatí. It is displayed behind glass.
Inside the Capilla Nuestra Señora de Itatí, a single nave makes up the temple. Behind the altar, a glass wall looks out onto a patio with plants. Along the sides, statues of saints stand. These include Saint Cayetano and Saint Joseph.
Notice the striking image of Our Lady of Sorrows. She is encased in glass. Across from her, Jesus on the cross stands. Mary mourns at his feet. This image evokes deep emotion. A statue of the Child Jesus is also within a display case. Two images of the Virgin of Itatí are inside the church. One is near the entrance. The other is close to the altar. Next to it is the Virgin’s prayer. The latter is a replica. It was donated from Corrientes.
The story of this church is quite special. It began as a family home. Later, it became a boarding house. It housed the Catholic Women Workers’ Youth until the 1970s. The family made a request to the Virgin of Itatí. They traveled to Itatí in Corrientes. When their wish was granted, they donated the house. They wanted it to become a chapel. The Curia agreed. Father Eduardo González was chosen as the first parish priest.
The house was cleaned and prepared. The front was made ready first. The inauguration was held. Monsignor Juan Carlos Aramburu attended. A small image of the Virgin was brought. An altar was set up under the stairs.
Later, a religious school closed. It donated a Sacred Heart statue. It also donated a Christ figure to the Capilla Nuestra Señora de Itatí. These are now on the altar. The priest lived upstairs. The lower level was the boarding house. It was demolished. An architect designed a simple, rustic temple. Plumbing and restrooms were added for the worshippers. An altar with a curtain was made.
Father González led the parish for six years. Father Fernando Echevarría followed. He stayed for 33 years. He finished the construction. He started the celebrations for the Virgin. Later, a party hall was built.
The Virgin’s liturgical day is July 9th. The grand celebration of her coronation is on July 16th. On July 9th, mass is celebrated. Food like locro and empanadas are sold. On July 16th, there is a Corrientes festival. Chamamé bands play. Many faithful attend these festivities. Every year, on the last Saturday of November. A traveling Virgin from Corrientes is brought here.
The secretary recalled a special event. Many years ago, they took the traveling Virgin. It was on a truck to Plaza Almagro. A large crowd gathered. The sun shone brightly. Suddenly, a rainbow appeared. That is why they chose Plaza Almagro. It was to build a shrine to the Virgin.
Mass is celebrated daily at the Capilla Nuestra Señora de Itatí. Children prepare for First Communion. They study for two years. Then they study another year for Confirmation. Catechism is taught to adults. Baptisms are held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. A minister of the Eucharist visits nursing homes. They also visit the sick. Cáritas gives clothes twice a week. It gives non-perishable food at the end of the month. These donations are for people in need. For 24 years, a pilgrimage to Itatí has taken place in August. Donations are brought. These include food, clothes, shoes, books, and toys.