Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu, Oñati, Guipúzcoa, Basque Country, SpainIn 1469, young shepherd Rodrigo de Baltzátegui ranged the flanks of Mount Aloña, near the town of Oñate in Guipúzcoa, trying to gather his sheep. Suddenly, a bright object appeared among the briars of the valley. On approaching, he saw that it was an image of Our Lady, carved in the white stone of the region. Rodrigo exclaimed, "¡Arantza Zu!, ¡Arantza Zu!", which means in Basque, "You among the thorns!" Once a sanctuary was built, it soon became the object of many pilgrimages, which continue today. Emigrants spread devotion to Our Lady of Aránzazu around the world. Her feast is September 9. (Information and picture from Fundación Argentina del Mañana, www.cruzadadelrosario.org.ar.) |
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