Posted On 2014-10-04 In Dilexit ecclesiam

The strength of popular faith: impression of the Celebration of the Lord and of the Virgin of the Miracle of Salta

ARGENTINA, Osvaldo Martín. Within the framework of the celebrations of the Feast of the Lord and of the Virgin of the Miracle that is celebrated year after year with great devotion in the city of Salta in the Republic of Argentina, several members of the Schoenstatt Movement were present to honor the Blessed Mother in the figure of the Virgin of the Miracle.

This celebration convokes thousands of pilgrims every year, who come from the different places of the country and of bordering countries to express gratitude and to pray to the Lord and the Blessed Mother for all the graces received.

Approximately 85, 000 pilgrims were present

Several days before the 15th of September, the date on which these names are celebrated, a multitude of pilgrims approach Salta, the capital, to honor the Lord Jesus and our mother Mary.

It is estimated that 85,000 people accompanied the celebrations and several thousands that accompanied the procession through the city streets gave an imposing framework of religiosity and faith.

For more than two kilometers, the pictures of Jesus (the Lord of the Miracle) and the Virgin of the Miracle, traveled the different arteries to the park of the 20 de febrero; they were greeted with devotion by the people lined along the buildings, premises, walls and parks.

The procession departed from the Cathedral Church of Salta and was presided by the Archbishop of Salta, Monsignor Mario Cargnello, bishops from different provinces, Monsignor Colombo, Bishop of the Province La Rioja, Monsignor Daniel Fernandez, Bishop of the Province of Jujuy, among others, hundreds of priests, religious, seminarians, the vice-governor of the province and high civil and military authorities.

We should demand more sources of work that will dignify the poorest

Upon arriving to the park the 20 de febrero, with the pilgrim pictures, and with an imposing multitude, Archbishop Monsignor Cargnello addressed the pilgrims and the authorities, who were present, pointing out with emphasis that “we should demand: more sources of work that would dignify the poorest, respect of the laws, the right of a quality education, the defense of religious education, the common good and fraternity”.

He also stressed that those who are immersed in drugs should “in the name of the Lord and his Mother, struggle to get out of this scourge.

On the other hand, the Archbishop assured that “from Christian commitment, we cannot use the poor at the service of personal or political interests.” “May society recognize and reward he who works and not the one who speculates, deceives or steals”.

Impressed by the spirit of profound religiosity

After Monsignor Cargnello’s homily, the pictures of the Lord and the Virgin of the Miracle, accompanied by the multitude, returned in procession the Cathedral Church, accompanied by the faithful who waved their handkerchiefs in greeting.

In speaking to some members of the Schoenstatt Movement who participated in the celebrations and the procession, such as Father Guillermo Mario Cassone, he asserted that he was impressed by the spirit of profound religiosity that was felt in all the people.

Father Marcelo Gallardo was also consulted and he was surprised and happy to see the faith of the people who participated in the celebration, for him, which was the first time he participated, it was an event of profound devotion.

A manifestation of profound faith

At the same time, Sister Marie Madelaine, along with some couples of the Movement, the Greppi’s, the Zabala’s and others joyfully participated in these celebrations.

The Zabala`s from Mendoza, who had come to participate in a meeting and stayed to experience this celebration of popular faith, share:

“Although we were tired from the trip from Mendoza, we were eager to see the town of La Linda, which were visiting for the first time; we stayed in Tres Cerritos, at the home of some generous Schoenstatt brothers/sisters.

Upon our arrival at nightfall we had the first strong impression, the illuminated buildings around the main square; we also noticed that there were many people; almost all of them were looking toward the Cathedral.

In the cathedral

We entered the Cathedral to greet Our Lady and Her Son and we had the second impression: we saw people of all ages – children, youths, adults and elderly – many standing and many kneeling, everyone prayed with their gaze set on the little books they held in their hands; a touching silence filled the atmosphere of the Basilica Cathedral; they explained to us that the people had come to pray the Novena of the Miracle; we could not help but to kneel and thank Her for the devotion that we saw there, in a world that sometimes seems to forget God.

That same night we realized that the Celebration of the Miracle had a special “aura”. We bought the novena and we read it on the way home.

The following day we returned to the center of town and our emotion was even greater: two blocks from the square a large contingence of pilgrims were arriving; sirens and motorcycle police opened the way for them and all of us who were on their path applauded as they advanced. We were touched to see smiling elderly among the pilgrims walking with their canes and mothers, who were singing as they carried their newborn babies, youths advanced dancing joyfully. They had been walking for four days. Silvia was touched to tears and a lady who was beside her said: “It is that the “Salteños have much faith, we are very devoted to the Lord and the Lady of the Miracle”.

An unforgettable experience

We had planned to return to Mendoza around noon on Monday, the 22nd, but we realized the importance of this celebration and upon the insistence of many Salteño friends we decided to stay one more day. We will never regret it. What we experienced that Monday is unforgettable.

At the scheduled time, the procession left the Cathedral; then the Virgin of Tears followed by the Virgin of the Miracle and finally the Lord of the Miracle. As each picture approached the square, they were received with great devotion; the participants applauded and waved handkerchiefs and little flags. The love of the people for the Lord of the Miracle and His Mother was evident.

We began to walk in procession through the streets willing to do this; we went to the monument of the 20th of febrero where the Loyalty Pact with the Miracle was renewed.

We could not see the enormous amount of people, but later we found out that approximately 900,000 people participated in the procession; pilgrims – some on crutches, others in wheelchairs – carried banners, posters, with inscriptions; we also saw parents who had dressed their little children as angels and many greeted the pictures from the balconies of homes and buildings. The prayer of the rosary and the songs created a very devout atmosphere.

Thousands and thousands of flower petals on the Virgin’s path

This is how we arrived at the monument where Archbishop Cargnello prayed the prayer of the Renewal of the Pact of Loyalty after addressing us with words that touched us deeply. Then they sang the National Anthem and the Hymn to the Lord of the Miracle; they began the return to the Cathedral.

When we were close, a few blocks from the Cathedral, the people began to hasten their steps they explained that it was to see the pictures enter the Cathedral. We ran and it was worthwhile; once in the square we were surrounded by a multitude that paid homage to the Most Holy Virgin and the Lord of the Miracle – with handkerchiefs and little flags in their hands.

Our eyes were filled with tears again…it was that Mary returned to her altar and as she advanced thousands and thousands of flower petals fell around her with the emotional ringing of the cathedral bells: we were Church, her Church, that again paid homage and expressed gratitude to her.

Some say that the Feast of the Miracle is the Salteña Easter…And surely it is the Easter of many”.

In this Jubilee year for the first 100 years of the Covenant of Love, this reporter expresses gratitude to the Blessed Mother (with the title of the Virgin of the Miracle) for participating in this manifestation of profound faith.

Original: Spanish – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA

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