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Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

May 8th: Memorial of Our Lady of Luján, Patroness of Argentina
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Gospel text (Jn 19:25-27): Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your Mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

“María de Luján, hope of our people”

Rev. D. Martín DOLZANI, ssp (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Today we recall the history of the Virgin of Luján, which is very original, as are those of other Marian centers: Guadalupe, Fatima, Lourdes, etc., where the words of the Gospel resound loudly “‘Behold, your mother’…And the disciple took her into his home,” for it could be said that, as Mother, Mary chose the place to stay and her children received her with filial devotion.

In 1630, an image of the Immaculate Conception was transported from Brazil to Argentina in a cart, and upon reaching the area where the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Luján is located today, the cart could not move forward or backward, and only moved when they removed the crate that contained the image. People interpreted this as a sign that the Virgin wanted to stay there.

In 2030, the Church in Argentina is preparing to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the miracle, under the motto "María de Luján, hope of our people." The Mother of God remained in the hearts of the Argentine people, taking the name of the chosen place: the Luján River, so that from there She could look with love and closeness at her children and be a reason for faith and hope, as Pope Francis invites us: “Let yourselves be looked at once more by Her, with that motherly gaze that renews you, cares for you, gives you strength”.