The Miraculous Medal Parish in El Talar, in the district of Tigre, will be the scene of a religious event of great significance for the community: the permanent enshrinement of a first-class relic of María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, known as Mama Antula, Argentina’s first female saint. The central ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 8:00 p.m. at the church located at Las Heras 1893, and will be attended by ecclesiastical authorities, including auxiliary bishop Raúl Pizarro. The event will be open to the entire community, which can participate in the solemn mass of enshrinement and blessing of the reliquary.
A milestone for local religious life
The parish highlighted that the arrival of the relic represents a historic event for the religious life of the town, as it will turn the church into a permanent pilgrimage site for the faithful who wish to venerate the so-called spiritual “Mother of the Homeland.” After her canonization in the Vatican, the figure of Mama Antula has sparked strong devotion in various parts of the country, especially for her missionary work and evangelizing journey during colonial times. In this context, the enshrinement of the relic in El Talar seeks to strengthen the bond between Argentine religious history and the daily faith of the residents.
Previous activities and community participation
The activity will have a preliminary session on Friday, May 15, at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., with the celebration of Holy Mass and a talk by Jorge Bayá Casal, a descendant of María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa and author of the book “Tras los pasos de Mamá Antula.” On Sunday, May 17, the solemn mass of enshrinement and blessing of the reliquary will take place. The parish invited residents to participate in the gathering and to bring a particular intention to place at the feet of the relic during the day of civic faith.
Testimony of the parish priest
“Receiving Mama Antula in our home permanently is an immense blessing. She walked thousands of kilometers to bring the Gospel, and today she decides to stay here, with the residents of Talar,” said Father Ignacio Alvarado, known as “El Ruso,” pastor of Miraculous Medal. This event not only reinforces the religious identity of the community but also invites the faithful to deepen the spirituality of a saint who marked the history of the Church in Argentina.
Original source: www.zonanortediario.com.ar (published on May 9, 2026)
Photo: Michel Stockman on Unsplash
