Day of the Virgin of Luján: the history of the patron saint of Argentina and why it is celebrated on May 8 – 05/08/2019

In the Argentine Republic, Uruguay and Paraguay, each May 8 It's a holiday: on this date the day of the Virgin of Luján is celebrated, the patron of these three countries and, in particular, one of the most fervent saints of our country. Now well: Why was this calendar day chosen to honor the Virgin?

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An image of the Virgin on request, a cart and a decision

In the 17th century, Antonio Farías de Sá ordered a friend from Brazil an image of the Virgin Mary. This Portuguese owner lived in the town of Córdoba del Tucumán (now Córdoba, then part of the viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata), but his intention was l & # 39; exposing in a chapel part of his stay in Sumampa, in present-day province of Santiago del Estero.

The image of the virgin marie arrived at the port of Buenos Aires in March 1630 and from there he started his way to the final destination in a cart pulled by oxen. However, as indicated in the book From the border to the villa of Luján. The beginnings of the great basilica (1890-1899), this vehicle he was stranded arriving at the locality "Árbol Solo", on the banks of the Luján River, in the present province of Buenos Aires.

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Thinking that the weight of the cargo was a problem, those who handled the cart removed several pieces, but the oxen did not move. Until they lower the box that contained the image of the Virgin. To his astonishment, the animals only moved to continue the journey if the Virgin remained there. He was one of the slaves who carried the Virgin and who noticed that the Immaculate Conception I wanted to stay in these lands. Then there was no doubt: it was interpreted as a divine sign that he had to stay there.

The election of the day of the Virgin of Luján

Over the years, this little sculpture of Virgin Mary only 38 centimeters It has given rise to the creation of the space that is visiting up to now thousands of faithful of Argentina and other countries.

His first sanctuary was inaugurated in 1763. But later, On May 8, 1887, Pope Leo XXIII decided to crown it with "Our Lady of Luján", giving rise to its annual festival.

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Another version on the choice of place

A bit far from Luján, more precisely in the district of Santa Rosa (Pilar), the Chapel of the miracle Our Lady of Luján, a place where some say it was originally the cart which in 1630 was transported in the image of the Virgin.

"This space is practically unchanged, it remains as it was at the moment of the miracle," said Federico Suárez, a Luján historian, almost 40 years after the miracle of the cart, Ana Maria Matos (A woman who lived 25 km from Villa Rosa, in the present city of Luján) decided to buy the Virgin and build a chapel in 1880.

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"When Ana de Matos learned the miracle, she went to visit her and found out that she was being treated by a slave in a mud ranch, decided to buy it for 200 pesosSister Judith, one of the Sisters in charge of the Pilate Chapel 25 years ago, added: "They took the virgin on a pilgrimage guided by the bishop (Cristóbal de la Mancha and Velazco). It was the first pilgrimage to Luján and the tradition continues until now. "