The beginnings of a spiritual phenomenon
September 25, 1983 marked the beginning of a series of extraordinary events in San Nicolás, in the province of Buenos Aires. Gladys Motta, a woman of deep faith, experienced the first of what would be numerous Marian apparitions. While praying the rosary, she noticed how the beads began to shine with a supernatural light, thus beginning a fundamental chapter in Argentine religious history.
The heavenly message and the location of the shrine
Over the following months, the apparitions intensified. On October 7, the feast of the Rosary, Gladys received a vision of a temple when she asked the Virgin what she expected of the faithful. The communications continued sporadically until November 15, 1983, when, according to Gladys' testimony, Jesus Christ appeared to her for the first time. The Virgin identified herself as "Patroness of this region" and demanded that her rights be upheld. From that moment on, the messages became daily.
The divine sign and the construction
On the night of November 24, 1983, Gladys went with a group of people to the field near her home, where Mary had indicated that she wanted her temple. In the darkness, a ray of light appeared, marking the exact spot where the sanctuary would be built, witnessed by both Gladys and a six-year-old girl. The next day, the Virgin confirmed: "The place of my dwelling has been chosen; everything is in your hands."
Development of the Marian project
In 1985, the Municipality of San Nicolás donated the land known as "El Campito" for the construction of the sanctuary. The first Mass was celebrated on February 25, 1986, and in August of the same year, Monsignor Salvador Castagna announced the laying of the cornerstone. Construction officially began on October 13, 1987, thus initiating the realization of the project envisioned years earlier.
The messages and their evolution
According to Father Luis Prieto, current rector of the sanctuary, "in every first event there is a message; the Virgin reveals herself to Gladys and then, naturally, the message gives way to the event itself." The book "Messages" compiles the approximately 1,900 dictations of the Virgin and Christ to Gladys Motta between 1983 and 1990. That year, Monsignor Castagna decided to put an end to their public dissemination "because he considered them sufficient and to prevent them from being distorted."
Spiritual phenomena and pilgrimages
The shrine has become an important center of pilgrimage, receiving approximately 1.5 million people annually in normal times. According to Father Prieto, "fundamentally, people seek the sacrament of Reconciliation, which is the great miracle of Saint Nicholas." Among the phenomena reported are miraculous healings, conversions, and the so-called "dance of the Sun," witnessed by numerous faithful during mass celebrations.
Capacity and future plans
Once completely finished, the sanctuary will have a capacity for 6,000 people inside. However, for large celebrations such as May 25 and September, "El Campito" or the outdoor temple is used, where more than 70,000 people can gather. The busiest dates are September, during the Novena, and May 25, which has become a day of great spiritual mobilization.
Original source: dib.com.ar (published on September 25, 2024)
Photo: Marites Allen on Unsplash
