With the rain, the sun and the cold, the pilgrims followed the path

Alta Gracia If anything surprising during this year's pilgrimage to the Virgin of Lourdes was the weather. Walkers have gone from overwhelming heat to torrential rain and even cold weather. But they arrived. Is it because faith moves mountains, as the proverb says? Until Monday afternoon, according to data from the departmental police of Santa María, some 100,000 faithful arrived at the sanctuary of the Virgin in Alta Gracia.

For Mariela and her family, there was no other option. They promised their son to travel the 35 kilometers between Alta Gracia, capital of Cordoba, so that the Virgin could fill them. "My son is in the Esperanza complex and we pray that he will be released this week," he said. "The rain took us, but we did not stop, some turned around, but we did not stop," she said wet, covered with an improvised towel and sandals. The family is from San Francisco and has been living in Córdoba for a short time.

Every year, thousands of pilgrims and visitors come to the replica of the Virgin of Lourdes in Alta Gracia. The sanctuary is over 100 years old in the city and is protected by the Discalced Carmelite Sisters.

According to Civil Defense sources, some pilgrims could not stand the rain and had to return to the middle of the road because they were not prepared for such a crossing. The secretary of the government of the municipality of Alta Gracia, Marcos Torres, explained that during the nap of Monday, many visitors arrived on intercity buses.

Raúl, from the Parque República neighborhood, is one of those who travel by bus, since he goes to the cave every year. He asked for work, health and family. He is 65 years old and works in construction. "He was released in the last time, but he survives," he acknowledged on one of his orders.

Scents and tastes

Upon entering the premises, the smell of peperina has invaded the senses, several vendors offering the "yuyito" to their partner. Later, candles and medals were inevitable. But there were also cupcakes and tortillas. On the banks of the creek and the property, some drank and covered themselves with a towel in the rain. Babies and children at the shelter under bags or in a stroller.

"Atom desinflammatory, decontracting," shouted a watchman who was attentive to those who walked with difficulty after so many miles on foot. At first glance, it was possible to observe those who were traveling on Route 5: it seemed difficult to walk on the ground, they kissed (in similar conditions) and with painful facial gestures.

Juan Antonio Rodríguez (42) looked at the borcegos as if they wanted to read the number of light bulbs that he himself estimated at more than ten. He was not an improvised player: he took up the challenge as he did in the last 17 years. I had two backpacks. A special to make cures to who needs it.

"I come for my family, for all Argentines and for peace in the world," he declared with conviction about his orders to the Virgin.

Health Secretary Fernando Mina said he had benefited from more than a hundred consultations in various municipal positions. And detailed that, it has been worked in collaboration with different sectors such as fire brigade, civil defense, police and various municipal areas.

The history of the image and La Gruta

More than a century ago, Guillermina Achával Rodríguez and Delfina Bunge from Gálvez arrived with a replica of the Virgin of Lourdes in Alta Gracia to keep a promise. The two women never imagined that, much later, it would become a milestone of faith for thousands of pilgrims. In 1916, the parish chose a picturesque site that could recall the Pyrenees, where took place the first manifestation of the Virgin in 1858. The place chosen was an enclosure surrounded by several hills that form a small natural temple, at the foot of which flows a stream it is now known as La Gruta.

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