The 3 Marian shrines that Pope Leo XIV will visit during his trip to South America

The shrines dedicated to the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, Our Lady of Luján, and Our Lady of Peace are part of Pope Leo XIV’s itinerary through Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, respectively.

Two of these devotions are linked to the history of South American independence, while the third was a source of inspiration for Robert Prevost during his years as bishop of Chiclayo.

These are not three identical stops. In Florida, Uruguay, and Luján, Argentina, the Holy Father will celebrate the Eucharist. In Chiclayo, however, the program includes a meeting with bishops, priests, religious, seminarians, and pastoral workers.

All three locations, however, share something in common: They are places where the history of their respective peoples is intertwined with faith in the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

Our Lady of the Thirty-Three and Uruguayan nationhood

The first stop will be in Florida, a city linked to one of the decisive episodes in Uruguayan history. It is home to the National Shrine of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, Uruguayʼs patroness, whose image is associated with a tradition concerning the nation’s independence.

The small, wooden carving of the Virgin Mary is believed to have arrived in the region during the 18th century. Its history became intertwined with that of the men who spearheaded the territory’s emancipation.

In 1825, representatives gathered in Florida proclaimed independence and, according to a tradition preserved by the Uruguayan Church, subsequently went to pray before the image of the Virgin, entrusting the future of the nation to the Mother of God.

Monsignor Esteban Puig Tarrats recounts this episode in his book “La Aurora de América” (“The Dawn of America”). The author notes that, after drafting the Declaration of Independence, the 33 patriots proceeded to the church carrying the tricolor flag and placed the cause they had just proclaimed under the protection of Mary.

The devotion took the name “Virgin of the Thirty-Three” in reference to the key figures in the fight for independence. Decades later, in 1962, Pope John XXIII declared her the patroness of Uruguay.

St. John Paul II also visited the shrine during his visit to the country in 1988. Now, it is Pope Leo XIV who will be in Florida. On Nov. 8, he will celebrate Mass there, a visit that will join together the nation’s religious heritage with one of the most significant moments in its history.

Luján: The ox cart that wouldn’t budge

The story of Our Lady of Luján begins with an episode that for nearly four centuries has been part of the Argentine Catholic tradition.

In 1630, a Portuguese landowner named Antonio Farías de Sá commissioned two religious images to be made for a chapel he intended to build on his estate, located in what is now the province of Santiago del Estero. The carvings arrived at the port of Buenos Aires and began their journey toward their destination by oxcart.

Upon reaching the banks of the Luján River, the oxen refused to budge. The teamsters tried to get them moving again, but were unable to do so. According to the traditional account, the cart could only continue on its way once the crate containing the image of the Immaculate Conception was removed. Those present interpreted this as a sign that the Virgin wished to remain in that place.

The episode is also recounted in Puig’s book “La Aurora de América,” giving special attention to Manuel, an African slave who was entrusted with the care of the image. Known as “El Negro Manuel,” he remained by its side for decades and helped spread devotion to it. He also assisted in collecting donations for the construction of a chapel.

The small image, which was initially intended to continue its journey toward Santiago del Estero, ended up becoming the center of one of the most significant Marian pilgrimages in Argentina.

Over time, a shrine was built that today welcomes thousands of the faithful. The image was solemnly crowned in 1887 and the Virgin of Luján was recognized as the patroness of Argentina. The basilica, built in a neo-Gothic style, is now closely associated with the religious identity of the country.

Leo XIV will arrive in Lujan on Nov. 11. Mass is scheduled to take place in the square in front of the basilica, where a large number of the faithful are expected to gather to attend the pope’s Mass and entrust their intentions to the patroness of Argentina.

Chiclayo and the shrine to which Leo XIV returns as pope

The visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Peace will have a special significance. For Leo XIV, Chiclayo is not just another city on the itinerary: He served as bishop there and carried out a large part of his pastoral ministry in Peru.

His connection to the shrine is recorded in its visitors’ book. On Oct. 21, 2015, just months after taking charge of the diocese, Prevost wrote therein a handwritten message in which he entrusted his life and his episcopal ministry to the Virgin Mary.

Those who spent time with him during those years recall that he frequently visited the shrine to pray and see the sisters there. He also took part in gatherings with priests and in retreats, and spent time at the pre-seminary. Devotion to Our Lady of Peace was a part of his daily life during his time serving as bishop of Chiclayo.

Years later, now as pope, he reaffirmed that bond. In January, Leo XIV chose the shrine in Chiclayo as the site for the main celebration of the World Day of the Sick. In a letter, he recalled that ever since his episcopal ordination he had entrusted his mission and the growth in faith of the people of God to the Virgin Mary.

This choice held special significance for the local community. The place where Prevost had so often gone to pray became the setting for a global-scale celebration dedicated to the sick and those who care for them.

On Nov. 13, the pope will return to the shrine to meet with representatives of the Peruvian Church. It will be one of the most personal moments of his visit to the country: He will return to the city where he once served as a pastor, and to a church where he entrusted his ministry to Our Lady.

3 stories that converge in Mary

The histories of these shrines differ. In Florida, devotion to the Virgin became closely associated with Uruguayan independence; in Luján, a stalled oxcart gave rise to a tradition that spread throughout Argentina; and in Chiclayo, the connection between Leo XIV and Our Lady of Peace began during his years of episcopal service.

This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Source: https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/americas/the-3-marian-shrines-that-pope-leo-xiv-will-visit-during-his-first-trip-to-south-america