Our Lady of the Guard, venerated in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Guard

Marian title of Bernal (Buenos Aires)

La advocación de Our Lady of the Guard in San Isidro (Gran Buenos Aires, Argentina) It is linked to the Salesian presence and the strong Italian immigration, especially Genovese, settled in the southern area of Gran Buenos Aires in the early 20th century. The parish and sanctuary is established as a religious and urban reference of the city of Bernal, being today one of its most significant temples.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Our Lady of the Guard in San Isidro (Gran Buenos Aires, Argentina) It is linked to the Salesian presence and the strong Italian immigration, especially Genovese, settled in the southern area of Gran Buenos Aires in the early 20th century. The parish and sanctuary is established as a religious and urban reference of the city of Bernal, being today one of its most significant temples.

As for the remote origin of the advocation, the devotion of "Our Lady of the Guard" in Bernal is inspired by the same sanctuary of Genoa (Italy), deeply rooted in the mercy of the genoese, who call upon her as a protector and "guardian" of the city and of those who entrust themselves to her. The genoese community of the area promoted this advocation and consolidated it as a distinctive feature of its religious and cultural identity in Bernal.

# # Tradition / legend

The general tradition of the sanctuaries of "Our Lady of the Guard" refers, in Europe, to pious accounts of apparitions and special protection of the Virgin over port cities and its inhabitants; however, that legendary tradition (apparitions to pastors or sailors, miraculous interventions, etc.) is mainly linked to European sanctuaries and no consta that there is a specific and documented own narrative of foundational apparitions or miracles for the venerated image in Bernal.

♪ documented history ♪

On the plane documentedthe parish and sanctuary of Our Lady of the Guard in Bernal is born as a work driven by the Salesian Congregation, present in the area since the beginning of the 20th century. An article about the history of the temple mentions that the first priest was the father Nicolás Esandi SDB, superior of the Salesian community of Bernal, which confirms the Salesian character of the foundation. The sanctuary was consolidated as the center of local Catholic life and, over time, as a place of Marian pilgrimage, especially around the patron's feast.

En 1986, Our Lady of the Guard was declared Patron of the city of Bernal by the servant of God Jorge Novak, first bishop of the diocese of Quilmes, thus strengthening his spiritual reference role for the community. Since then, the patronal celebrations of August 29 have become increasingly diocesan and popular.

The image and the sanctuary

La imagen titular de Our Lady of the Bernal Guard se venera en la Parish-Sanctuary Our Lady of the Guardin the city center. The sources consulted describe the temple as a Marian sanctuary with a strong urban presence, but No precise technical details on the material or the authorship of the image (sculpture / painting, type of size, etc.), so there is no detailed iconographic description or material of the piece (wood, plaster, marble, etc.).

El temple is often presented in the local press as a reference "sanctuary" and "parish" for Bernal, with an architecture of monumental lines that has been worth the journalistic nickname of "the cathedral that is not," given its importance and size within the city. Until the 1980s it retained a facade of brick seen; it was then modified, always retaining its central role in the urban landscape and in the religious memory of the community.

The parish works like local / diocesan Marian sanctuarybut no consta in revised sources with the official title of minor basilicaor that it has been declared National sanctuary; its recognition is mainly diocesan, within the diocese of Quilmes.

Sponsorship and coronation

– Patronage: Our Lady of the Guard is Patron of the city of Bernal from 1986, by decree of the servant of God Jorge Novak, first bishop of Quilmes. It is recognized as a protector of the local community, and its sanctuary is considered a key point for understanding the religious history of the city.

– Canonical coronation: in available documentation (diocese, local press, devotional testimonies) does not contain a documented canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Bernal Guard, nor the indication of year or pontifical delegate related to an act of solemn coronation.

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of the Guard in Bernal is celebrated August 29. In the local community, this date is lived as the city's patron partywith solemn masses, processions and different religious and cultural acts. Local publications and networks linked to the parish emphasize that the apvocation is "very rooted in the feeling of the Bernal community."

Las employers' parties include the celebration of the Eucharist, processions with the image (sometimes with a "pilgrim" image) through the streets of the city, and community activities that bring together families, parish groups and devotees from nearby neighborhoods. Devotion is closely linked to Bernal's identity as a city of deep Marian faith, and the sanctuary is identified as an inescapable reference to know his history.

La Italian community, especially genovese, has played a relevant role in the dissemination of this devotion, as an expression of continuity with the sanctuary of the Guard in Genoa and of the faith brought by immigrants. Throughout the year, the sanctuary maintains an intense sacramental and devotional life, with masses, confessions, catechesis, youth groups and Marian activities that reinforce the character of "house of the Virgin" for the faithful of the area.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not describe a specific and documented link between the advocation of Our Lady of the Bernal Guard and a particular practice of Rosary (for example, official co-fradies of the Rosary linked to this sanctuary or own indulgences). No consta, therefore, a unique historical relationship that distinguishes this advocation from others as to the prayer of the Rosary.

However, in the Marian spirituality of the Church, the Rosary It occupies a privileged place as contemplative prayer of the mysteries of Christ with Mary. In a sanctuary like that of Our Lady of the Bernal Guard, where the Virgin is invoked as a protector of the city and of the families, the Rosary becomes naturally daily path of intercession and trust:

– ayuda a contemplar, con María, la vida de Jesús y a leer la historia personal y comunitaria a la luz de la fe; – sostiene a los fieles en las necesidades de la ciudad, presentando a la Madre de Dios las preocupaciones de los hogares, del trabajo, de los enfermos y de los más pobres; – integra las diversas generaciones (niños, jóvenes, adultos, ancianos) en una misma oración sencilla y profunda, especialmente en torno a la fiesta del 29 de agosto y en las peregrinaciones al santuario.

So, even if there is no "own" rosarian feature documented, the prayer of the Rosary is an organic and coherent part of the devotion to Our Lady of the Bernal Guardby inserting this invocation into the great Marian tradition of the Church.