Difunta Correa

During the Civil wars of the 1840’s in Argentina, Deolinda Correa became lost in the desert while attempting to follow her husband's battalion. When her food and water ran out, she died of thirst and exhaustion. However, in passing, someone discovered her young baby nursing on the dead woman’s breast – still alive. It was proclaimed a miracle. Now, many decades later, she has become Argentina's favorite soul, unrecognized by the church, yet worshipped by many Argentineans.

Her shine is located in Difunta Correa, a town that has grown around the site of her death. People visit from around the country both thanking her and asking her for their own special miracle. Whether it is a scale model of a newly acquired hotel, an ultrasound image of their unborn child, a wedding dress, a photo of a new vehicle, or a bowling trophy, hundreds of thousands of offerings now litter the shrine.

As Easter is one of her biggest days, the Argentines flocked in droves to thank Difunta Correa, as she is now called, for her deeds. Whether by bike, horse, truck, foot, or even crawling, they came to pay homage to this giving soul. Smaller shrines dot the Argentine highways with stacks of bottled water. These offerings represent the water she needs to keep her soul alive in the desert.

Amanda and I strolled through the town for hours, observing this incredibly vibrant religious ceremony. It was a surreal experience not to be forgotten and certainly the most interesting Easter Amanda and I have ever had.