Gazing upon this serene shrine, can you feel the echoes of a centuries-old devotion? María Reina de Monte Oropa, a name that resonates with faith and history, stands before us as a testament to the enduring power of belief. The patroness of Lomas del Mirador City, in the La Matanza Partido of Buenos Aires Province, María Reina de Monte Oropa holds a special place in the hearts of many. The story of María Reina de Monte Oropa begins in the 3rd century, high in the Italian Alps. Legend tells us that Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, fleeing persecution, carried a statue of the Virgin Mary from the Middle East to the mountains near Biella, Italy. The statue, carved from cedar of Lebanon and adorned with gold and gemstones, was said to be a creation of St. Luke himself. Intending to hide the statue in a cave, Eusebius found its weight miraculously increase, preventing its removal. This was interpreted as a sign from the Virgin Mary, a wish for a sanctuary to be built on that very spot. This marked the birth of the Sanctuary of Oropa, and the veneration of the Black Madonna of Oropa, also known as María Reina de Monte Oropa. This Madonna, with her dark face and hands, is a unique and powerful figure. The original statue, a masterpiece by a sculptor from Valle d’Aosta, dates back to the late 13th century. Over the centuries, the Black Madonna has been crowned four times. The last coronation took place in 2021, decreed by Pope Francis. The devotion to María Reina de Monte Oropa eventually crossed the ocean, finding a home in Argentina. Here, in Lomas del Mirador, her image graces the Parish of the Holy Name of Mary, built on land donated by an immigrant from Piedmont, a region close to the original sanctuary in Italy. So, as we stand here before María Reina de Monte Oropa, let us remember the journey of this sacred image. From the mountains of Italy to the heart of Argentina, she has inspired faith and devotion for centuries. Her dark countenance, a mystery to some, speaks to others of the fertile earth, of ancient goddesses, and of the enduring power of belief.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to