a few posts ago i spoke briefly about a celebration that happens in Salta on September 15th. it’s called Procesion del Señor y Virgen del milagro, the procession of the Lord and Virgin of the miracle.

the story goes something like this……..on September 13, 1592 an image of the Lord on the cross was placed in the main church of Salta. the image had been found in the sea by Peru with only the writing, “for Salta” on the box. they don’t know who sent it or what ship it came in on.

jump to September 13, 1692, big earthquakes continuously shook the whole valley and Salta was at the point of destruction. the main church was on the verge of collapsing and the ladies who dressed the statues in the church noticed that the Virgin became pale just before each earthquake. a priest understood it was Mary’s pleading for the image of the Lord. the image was still in the wooden box, never taken out, just as it arrived….

the Lord and Virgin were taken out of the church and placed in the main plaza and for days people prayed. on the 15th the earthquakes stopped and a big procession was organized. when earthquakes started happening again years later, it made the people remember the time when Salta was almost destroyed, and a pact was made between the people of Salta and the Lord and the Virgin of the miracle. each year they would celebrate the miracle, renew the pact, and continue their loyalty and love to Salta and the province.

Salta is expecting a million people at the celebration this year, and people walk from all over the country to participate. i heard of one group that was walking 22 days.

it’s a one day celebration that starts at the church in the main plaza and then after the service the people walk eight blocks, ending at the monument of General Guemes.

when i was in Peru last year i was able to see a religious celebration of a smaller magnitude in Cusco, and it was truly amazing. i can only imagine how incredible, and moving it must be in Salta today.