SW News: After a one-year gap, the Argentine Federal Police will go on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Luján, in Buenos Aires, the capital city. The 41st pilgrimage to Luján will take place on Saturday, November 27. Last year, the pilgrimage was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The policemen will leave the San Cayetano Sanctuary, in Liniers, on Saturday at 2:45 pm, local time. They are expected to arrive at the Basilica housing the statue of Our Lady of Lujan, the patroness of Argentina, the following day at 7:45 am local time. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 8 am local time, in the Plaza Belgrano in front of the Basilica.
The small terracotta image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the center of attraction in the Basilica of Luján. According to tradition, the image was crafted in Brazil and brought to Argentina.
The image arrived at the port of  Buenos Aires and it was placed on an ox cart to be taken to its destination. When the cart reached the location of the present Basilica near the river, the oxen refused to move. The animals began to move only when the image was taken out. Locals considered this to be a miracle and believed that the Virgin Mary wished to remain there.
The terracotta image of Mother Mary was placed in a small chapel for 40 years. Later, a bigger church was built and the image was enshrined there. Engraved with silver, the image shows Our Lady with folded hands, wearing a white robe and blue cloak. The white and blue colors represent the Argentine Flag. The robe of the Virgin is decorated with flowers and vines and she has a golden crown.
The image was canonically crowned in the 1800s. In 1930, Pope Pius XII awarded the title of  ‘Basilica’ to the Sanctuary. Pope Francis on May 8, 2013, paid a visit to the Basilica, to venerate the image.