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San Francis Imports. Nuestra Señora De Luján. University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
Country
Argentina
Description
Around the year 1630, a Portuguese landowner requested that his friend bring home an image of the Virgin in order to reintroduce the Catholic faith in Argentina. The landowner’s friend sent him two images of the Virgin Mary, giving him the option of choosing which one he liked better. The images were placed in wooden boxes and transported by oxen, whereby they travelled for three days. One morning, just as they were passing by the city of Luján, the oxen carrying the images suddenly refused to move. The oxen would not budge until the image of the Immaculate Conception was removed. Many people believed this meant the Virgin wished to stay there. She was taken into a nearby home, was venerated, and an altar was dedicated to her. As word spread, many people began to visit this altar and image, and this became a point of pilgrimage for 40 years.
Pope Pius XII declared the Basilica of Luján the image’s official sanctuary in 1930. Inside, the image of the Virgin stands at two feet tall, with a gold crown replete with 365 diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. She is the patron of enlightenment, faith, and hope. May 8 and December 8 are her Feast Days. On both days, the image of the Virgin of Luján is taken out on a nautical pilgrimage on the Luján River.
References:
Presas, Juan Antonio. Historia de Nuestra Señora de Luján. Morón: Lumen Christi, 1984.
S. Palacios, P. Horacio. Reseña Histórica de Nuestra Señora de Luján y Su Santuario. Luján: Ediciones del autor, 2000.
Researched by Abigail M. Sturgill
Popular Devotions
Our Lady of Luján,
As a sign of your maternal
Protection of the people of
Argentina, an image of the
Immaculate Conception
Was miraculously sent
To your people.
Help us break the barriers of sin so that,
Like you,
We may fold our hands and unfold our hearts
To receive your son.
Amen.
¡Oh Santísima Virgen María!
¡Coronada Reina de Lujan! Dios me
Ha criado para la gloria eterna.
¡Ah! ¿ Quién me diera alas de
Paloma para volar a esa morada de
Felicidad? ¿Quién me abrieron las
Puertas del Cielo, y me ayudara a
Subir a pié hasta el Trono del
Altisimo? Conceded, oh Santísma
Virgen de Luján, vuestra protección
A este siervo vuestro que gime en
Medio de este valle de lágrimas y
Sólo recibe consuelo celebrando
Vuestras glorias: ayudadle, a fin de
Que despuès de haberos honrado en
La tierra, merezca alabaros en el
Cielo, por los siglos de los siglos.
Así sea.
Nuestra Senora de Lujan is celebrated on May 8th and December
8th of each year. On May 8th and December 8th, the image of the Virgin is taken on nautical
pilgrimages in the Lujan River. During the first week of October, young men and women walk
from Buenos Aires to the Basilica in the Pilgrimage of the Young.
Hail Mary
Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres.
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen.
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