Our Lady of Luján

Biography

Our Lady of Luján, also known as Nuestra Señora de Luján, is a beloved Catholic Marian devotion in Argentina. The devotion centers around a two feet tall terracotta statue of the Virgin Mary. This statue was created in Brazil and sent to Argentina in May 1630. The original appearance of the statue is said to have been inspired by Murillo's Immaculate Conception paintings. In order to preserve and protect the image, it was given a solid silver covering in 1887. The statue is typically adorned with a white robe and a sky blue cloak, the colors of the Argentine flag. Only the dark oval face with big blue eyes and the hands folded in prayer can now be seen. The origin story of Our Lady of Luján involves a miraculous event. Tradition holds that an ox-drawn wagon was transporting the statue from Buenos Aires to Santiago del Estero. However, the oxen refused to cross the Luján River. The teamsters soon discovered that if the box containing the statue was removed from the wagon, the oxen would resume their journey. This occurred repeatedly, leading the people to realize that Our Lady wanted to remain in Luján. And so, she has been venerated in Luján ever since. Initially, the image was taken to the home of a man named Don Rosendo, who built a simple chapel to house it. This primitive chapel lasted for about forty years. Then, in 1685, a larger shrine was constructed to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. As the devotion continued to spread, a new sanctuary was built in the 19th century to accommodate the increasing number of faithful. The statue was canonically crowned in 1887, an act that signifies special recognition and honor within the Catholic Church. In 1930, Pope Pius XI bestowed the title Basilica upon the sanctuary. Our Lady of Luján holds great significance for the people of Argentina. She is considered the patroness of Argentina, as proclaimed by Pope Pius XI on September 8, 1930. Additionally, she is the patroness of Argentinian military chaplains, as well as the nations of Paraguay and Uruguay. Devotion to Our Lady of Luján has continued to grow throughout the centuries. Pilgrims from all over Argentina and beyond visit the basilica in Luján to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to offer their prayers and gratitude. The statue serves as a powerful symbol of faith, hope, and protection for the people of Argentina and the broader Catholic community. The annual feast day of Our Lady of Luján is celebrated on May 8th, a day dedicated to honoring her and giving thanks for her miraculous presence in their lives.