Argentina – Place of Pilgrimage of Gaucho Gil
El Gauchito's Main Shrine is in Mercedes, in Corrientes Province
Feb 24, 2009
Argentina's roads are often coloured by red flags that wave in the wind, sometimes visible from miles away. These do not mark the quintessential shrines that commemorate those that died in a fatal accident, but they can all be attributed to one and the same person: Gaucho Antonio Gil, also affectionately known as Gauchito Gil ["Little Gil"], or El Gauchito.
Patron Saint Gaucho Gil – How the Legend Was Born
Gaucho Gil lived in the 19th century and deserted the army. While evading capture, he robbed the rich and shared with the poor - hence his nickname "Robin Hood". Eventually he was captured and strung up by his feet in order to be beheaded. Gaucho Gil prophesied to his executioner: "When you return home you'll discover that I have actually been pardoned and you'll find your son gravely ill". He pleaded to be properly buried, which was unusual in those days for a hoodlum, in exchange for which he would assure the recovery of the executioner's mortally ill son. But his pleas didn't work and Gaucho Gil was beheaded.
When the executioner came home he found both prophecies to be true and hastened to return to the place of the execution, in order to bury Gaucho Gil properly. Soon the executioner's son recovered - a miracle had occurred and a legend was born.
Corrientes Province – Place of Pilgrimage of Gaucho Gil
Word spread and the first sanctuary in Gaucho Gil's honor soon grew into a place of pilgrimage. Especially on 8 January thousands of pilgrims are drawn to Mercedes, his place of birth and death, to commemorate the date of his death. People venerate him like they do a Catholic saint, although he isn't acknowledged as such by the Catholic Church. Votive offerings at this shrine are similar to those at Difunta Correa's shrine in Vallecito, Argentina's second popular folk saint. Chapels hold wedding gowns, license plates, pictures and knives - all offered to express devotion or in gratitude for a miracle performed
Patron Saint Gaucho Gil – Protector of the Traveler
Smaller road shrines are found all around Argentina, albeit more in the north than in the south of the country, and are typified by red flags, scarves and red paint. Like Difunta Correa, he is considered a patron saint of the traveler. Shrines are often filled with candles and votive offerings like plastic flowers or empty bottles. The red flags and scarves are attributed to different reasons: some say they represent Gil's neck scarf soaked in blood after his beheading, others say it shows the affinity he had with the 'Colorados', a political party at the time.
Gaucho Gil's Shrine in Mercedes, Corrientes – Location, Transportation and Accommodation
- "Sanctuario Cruz Gil" is located nine kilometres west of Mercedes, in the province of Corrientes, along Ruta 123 towards the city of Corrientes.
- To travel by bus from Buenos Aires to Mercedes takes about nine hours.
- Mercedes is a town of about 20,000 inhabitants and, in terms of hotels and restaurants, has all the facilities to receive travellers.
Places of Pilgrimage in Argentina
- Difunta Correa is another much revered folk saint. Her main shrine is located in Vallecito, near San Juan in west Argentina.
- Argentina's oldest patron saint is the Virgin of Luján; the Basilica in Luján - near Buenos Aires - is one of Argentina's largest places of pilgrimage.
- In northwest Argentina "Pachamama", or "Mother Earth", is much revered. There is no specific place of pilgrimage but shrines along roadsides, dedicated to Pachamama, are plentiful.
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