The story starts in 1630 with a tiny, terracotta statue which was transported on an oxcart to Santiago del Estero. When the oxcart got stuck in mud, nothing could make it budge until the statue was removed. It was taken as a sign that the 18 inches high statue of the Virgin wanted to stay here. In time a small shrine grew into one of Argentina's major places of pilgrimage. The Capital of Faith was born and the Virgin became not only the patron saint of Argentina but also of Uruguay and Paraguay.
She is placed high on the main altar and a spiral staircase leads up to the sanctuary, where people honor her and offer flowers, money or other gifts. Around the altar leads a staircase which is completely covered in commemorating plaques, thanking La Virgencita for a miracle performed or aid given.
May 8th is the festival of "Santa imagén de Nuestra Señora de Luján", the main event of the year which attracts enormous crowds.
The last Sunday of September the pilgrimage of gauchos [cowboys] – on their horses – takes place and thousands of gauchos from Argentina and the surrounding countries arrive to pay their respects to the Virgin of Luján.
One week later it's time for the fans on foot, called the "Pilgrimage of the Young", when thousands of pilgrims walk 65 kilometres, about 18 hours, from the barrio of Liniers in Buenos Aires to Luján.
MAY 16, 2009
I ate Canalone with spinach inside, Bill had different kinds of beef, we split a potatoe type salad with raw ham (Jamon crudo)I did not care for it. And their delicious bread. It has been a great day. (Provecho- in spanish means "may things go well with you"). They say this alot here.
I met the sister missionaries at Bills office and we all took the bus deeper into Buenos Aires to the restaurant named "TUCSON'. After the luncheon we visited a museum of art. When we wallked in Sis. Bowen was embarrassed because most of the art was nude. (she plans all these luncheons, she did not know what kind of museum it was). We all thought it was pretty funny. But it did have beautiful art.
Sister Bowen, Sister Reva Allred and sister Chalmers.
Sitting at this table are sister missionaries serving with their husbands in Argentina. Plus the area presidents wife (Lynette Bowen)sitting by me.
May 10,2009 (Sunday-Mothers Day)
The missionaries serving in the ward we attend asked if they could come over to our house and call their moms for mothers day. We said of course, so they came over around 6:00p.m and we had a Parilla for them. We enjoyed steaks, Chorizo with bread (Chori pan), potatoes, carrotts, onions & mushrooms (foil dinner). It was great! They each took turns calling their moms and I took pictures of them talking to them. I gave them each of copy for their missionary memories. I remember when Devin and Landon called me on my Mothers day when they served their missions. It was nice to be on the other side and see what the missionary do and how excited they get to talk to their moms. It was great for me.
All of my own kids called me for mothers day-Devin, Ashley, Sharae and Landon. I enjoyed talking with them. Also, my own mother she is one in a million.
The weather here in Argentina goes from bright, sunny cool days to foggy, rainy and cold days. Most of the time the humidity is high. Here are a few pictures just to show you how it is. Chiquita was nervous and did not want to walk in the fog, but we had to do our walk this morning.
I am at it again-YES-I will be doing my childrens scrapebooks for the rest of my life it seems. Maybe, that is why they say "ENDURE TILL THE END". I wish I had done them as they were growing up, it is hard to look back a remember everything. I also update my blog site so at the end of the year I can have it made into a book. This is a great way to journal and save memories.
