Luján - History of the Dark Virgin
Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina · 1630
Our Lady of Luján is the patron of Argentina. His image was found by a colonizer in the 17th century and has witnessed Argentine history.
The discovery
In 1630, the Portuguese colonizer Domingo de Vera and Mendoza received a ceramic image of the Immaculate Conception as a gift. The image was 38 centimeters high and represented the Virgin with her arms extended.
According to tradition, the oxen pulling from the car stopped at the current Luján site and refused to move forward. The settlers interpreted this as a sign that the Virgin wanted to stay there.
«Los bueyes se detuvieron y no quisieron avanzar. La Virgen quería quedarse en Luján.»
- Argentine traditionMiracles
La imagen ha sido testigo de numerosos milagros: curaciones, Conversiones, protección en guerras. Los fieles la llaman «La Morena de Luján.»
La patronalidad
In 1930, the Virgin was declared patron of Argentina. The Feast of the Virgin of Luján is celebrated on May 8 and is a national holiday.