San Cura Brochero

Elevated amidst the bustling cityscape, the San Cura Brochero Parish stands as a beacon of faith. It’s a relatively new landmark in Buenos Aires, established in 2016. Originally part of two older parishes, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes and Nuestra Señora de Pompeya, the San Cura Brochero carved its own identity. This separation marked a significant moment for the Merlo-Moreno diocese. It signified not just a new parish, but the growth and evolution of the Catholic community in this part of Buenos Aires. Five centers formed the foundation of San Cura Brochero: Virgen Guadalupe, María Auxiliadora, Virgen Consolata, San Juan Pablo II, and San Eduardo. These centers, each with its own unique character, came together under the patronage of a remarkable figure, the “Cura Gaucho” himself. The formal establishment of the San Cura Brochero Parish happened on August 8th. Bishop Fernando Carlos Maletti presided over the ceremony, a pivotal moment that saw the quasi-parish elevated to full parish status. The appointment of Father Marcelo De Losa as the first official parish priest solidified this transition. San Cura Brochero is more than just a single building. Three chapels, Virgen Guadalupe, María Auxiliadora, and Nuestra Señora de la Consolata, serve as vital hubs within the parish. Two additional evangelization centers in the San Juan Pablo II and San Eduardo neighborhoods extend the parish’s reach into the community. The parish’s location within the Parque San Martín-Mariano Acosta Deanery, west of Buenos Aires, places it in a dynamic urban setting. The namesake of the parish, San José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, known simply as “Cura Brochero,” was a priest from Córdoba, Argentina. His life was marked by an unwavering dedication to his parishioners, a dedication that extended beyond spiritual guidance to improving their material well-being. His travels on muleback, reminiscent of the gaucho cowboys, earned him the nickname “Cura Gaucho.” He shared in the lives of his people, even to the point of contracting leprosy, a testament to his deep commitment. He eventually succumbed to this illness in 1914 in Villa del Tránsito, a town later renamed Villa Cura Brochero in his honor. The Catholic Church recognized his holiness, declaring him venerable in 2004, beatifying him in 2013, and ultimately canonizing him in 2016.