“Mother, under your gaze we want to walk, the hearts beat that pray to Luján. Mother, under your gaze we seek unity, bless our people with love and happiness,” repeats the chorus of the official song for the 50th Youth Pilgrimage to Luján in Argentina.
The popular demonstration of faith, which brings together nearly a million faithful each year, will take place on October 5 with the motto “Mother, under your gaze we seek unity.”
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Inspired by that phrase, the official song is titled “Under your gaze” and was composed by singer-songwriter Alfo Urrutia, who has been a servant of the pilgrimage for many years, offering his talent as a musician and producer.
“If you look at me from up there, in heaven, that’s when I find comfort, my path lights up. If you look at me, I have no doubts and I believe… I close my eyes and see, and my night becomes day”, can be heard in this piece by Urrutia, who was also in charge of several of the hymns in previous editions of the pilgrimage.
The song can be heard on Spotify and in YouTube.
What is the Youth Pilgrimage to Luján?
This traditional display of faith, which this year celebrates its 50th edition, takes place on the first weekend of October and is one of the most significant in Argentina, bringing together nearly one million pilgrims each year.
The walk covers 60 kilometers, starting from the Sanctuary of San Cayetano, in the Liniers neighborhood, in the City of Buenos Aires. On this occasion, the concentration will be at 10:00 a.m., and from there the pilgrim image of the Virgin will leave.
On Sunday, October 6, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bishop Jorge García Cuerva, will preside over the traditional 7:00 a.m. Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján.
Pilgrims are reminded to bring a small candle to light at midnight on Sunday. You are also invited to bring non-perishable food, which will be delivered to Cáritas.
Participation is free and open. Along the way, more than 60 health and support posts will be deployed.
Juliet Villar
I am a journalist, with a degree in communication from the National University of La Matanza in Argentina. I have work experience in non-governmental organizations. Since 2016 I have been dedicated to Catholic journalism, first at the Argentine Catholic Information Agency (AICA) and, since 2022, as ACI Prensa correspondent for Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Bolivia.