Every May 8th is celebrated Day of Our Lady of Luján, patron saint of Argentina. This day, thousands of faithful gather at the Basilica of Luján, located about 70 km west of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, to pay tribute to the Virgin and offer prayers, thanks and requests through the intercession of her maternal love. .
The story of the Virgin of Luján has its roots in the year 1630, when two images of the Most Pure Conception of Mary, from Brazil, arrived at the port of Buenos Aires. One of these images, when transported by cart to Santiago del Estero, mysteriously stopped on the banks of the Luján River, and the oxen pulling the cart could not move it. The transporters discovered that by removing the image of the virgin from the cart, it moved easily. This event led to the conclusion that the Virgin wanted to stay in that place, becoming the Virgin of Luján, a symbol of devotion for Argentines.
In 1887, Pope Leo XXII crowned the Virgin as “Our Lady of Luján”, consecrating her as the patron saint of the Argentine Catholic parish. In addition, the Executive Branch of the Nation declared her patron saint of Argentine routes in 1944, of the Argentine Federal Police in 1946 and of Argentine railways in 1948.
The Basilica of Luján, where the image of the Virgin resides, is a place of great religious and cultural importance. Although the original image was moved in 1904 from the chapel where it was found to the Basilica, the latter was not officially recognized until 1930 by the Holy See, coinciding with the Tercentenary of the Virgin of Luján.
The celebration of May 8 is a time to reflect on the deep spiritual connection that unites the Argentine people with the Virgin Mary under the invocation of Our Lady of Luján.
