Our Lady of the Rosary

The Marian apparition known as Our Lady of the Rosary in San Nicolas, Argentina, is a captivating and spiritually significant event that began in the early 1980s. It is one of the most well-documented and widely recognized apparitions in recent history, drawing thousands of pilgrims to the site each year.

The story starts with a woman named Gladys Quiroga de Motta. On September 25, 1983, in the city of San Nicolas de los Arroyos, located in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina, Gladys experienced the first of many apparitions of the Virgin Mary. A devout Catholic, Gladys initially saw a luminous image of the Virgin Mary in her home. The Virgin was holding the Infant Jesus and a rosary in her hands.

Following the initial apparition, Gladys began receiving messages from the Virgin Mary, who identified herself as "Our Lady of the Rosary." Mary conveyed messages emphasizing prayer, conversion, and the importance of the rosary. She also spoke of the need for repentance and a return to the teachings of Jesus Christ. These messages were often prophetic, addressing both personal and global issues, including concerns about faith, peace, and the moral direction of humanity.

An important element of the apparitions involved a statue of the Virgin Mary that had been in the local cathedral for many years. Gladys was directed by Mary to find a specific statue, which was later discovered in the bell tower of the cathedral of San Nicolas. This statue, depicting Our Lady of the Rosary, was moved to a specially constructed sanctuary as the apparitions and messages continued.

In response to the apparitions, the construction of a sanctuary began in 1989. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas, located near the banks of the Paraná River, became a significant pilgrimage site. The sanctuary was completed in 1990 and has since been visited by millions of pilgrims.

The local bishop, Monsignor Domingo Salvador Castagna, after a thorough investigation, acknowledged the authenticity of the apparitions and messages. In 1990, he declared that the events were of supernatural origin and encouraged the faithful to visit the sanctuary and heed the messages given by the Virgin Mary.

The central themes of the messages given by Our Lady of the Rosary in San Nicolas revolve around prayer, particularly the rosary, penance, conversion, and the need for a deeper relationship with God. Mary emphasized the importance of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and called for a renewed devotion to her Immaculate Heart. The messages also contained warnings about the moral and spiritual dangers facing the world and the need for humanity to return to a life of faith and virtue.