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Published: October 31st 2006
Fotos
One of the capillas is completely covered with pictures, used as proof and thankfulness for what Difunta Correa has done for her followers.In the 1840s a civil war raged in Argentina, the porteños against the interior of the country. One woman named Deolina Correa set out with her infant baby and supplies to follow her sick husband, serving as a soldier in the war. After her food and water ran dry, she soon collapsed in the desert, dead. When were body was found, those there were astonished to find that her infant baby was still alive, suckling on the dead woman's breast. Soon news spread of the apparent miracle, and people began to become devotees to the dead soul (not technically a saint) who had come to be known as Difunta Correa (literally, "defunct Correa").
The site where she supposedly died began as a simple cross on a hilltop about 100 years after her death, but has since turned into a massive shrine, prompting the creation of the small town of Vallecito in the middle of the dry Argentine desert lands to support the influx of devotees to the site.
People make petitions to Difunta, and when they are realized, the person will often travel out to the shrine at Vallecito to leave a picture, a trophy, a license plate, a
Subida
The stairway to the top of the hill where the original cross to Difunta was place is now covered with car license plates and the hill itself looks like a scene out of It's a Small World, with red and yellow wooden houses meant to represent the real thing. plaque, a wedding dress, a miniature home, anything to symbolize what she has done for them. Seventeen different chapels are filled with all types of items, each one with a different theme, la Capilla de Novias, la Capilla de Deportes, la Capilla de Viviendas, etc.
The shrine at Vallecito is not the only place that use to give thanks to Difunta. All along highways in Argentina (especially the closer you get to the shrine) are miniature homages to her. They can range in size from tiny to decently large and often have various objects strewn all over the ground in front, car parts, rocks, and (most often) plastic bottles of water, to quench Difunta Correa's thirst. Sometimes the monuments and all the surrounding objects are painted completely red. Interestingly, truck drivers seem to be particularly devoted to her, and these small chapels are often created and visited by them.
Overall, the entire phenomenon is very interesting, especially since the Argentine Catholic church has apparently expressed outright disapproval of the legend. However, when you visit the shrine in Vallecito or see water bottles on the side of the road, you're remembered of what an important symbol she is in
Agua
Bottles of water are scattered through the shrine at Vallecito and along smaller ones on the side of highways all over the country. the life of many faithful Argentines.
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Glenn Simmons
non-member comment
Muy Cool Trip
Andy...keep up the good work...I;d like to get a print out of all your blogs...its like reading a book...enjoy because one day you may have to work....Glenn Simmons