Pilgrimage to Luján 2025: Thousands of faithful walk with faith and hope
This weekend marks the 51st edition of the Luján 2025 Pilgrimage , one of the most popular religious events in Argentina. Thousands of people walk from the Sanctuary of San Cayetano in Liniers to the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján , covering more than 60 kilometers on foot. This year's motto, "Mother, give us love to walk with hope ," is linked to the 2025 Jubilee and reflects the spirit of those participating: young people, families, parishes, and communities who bring their personal intentions to the feet of the Virgin.
Preparations and logistics for the 2025 Luján Pilgrimage
The walk officially begins on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., although many faithful leave early to avoid crowds. The route crosses the municipalities of Morón, Merlo, Moreno, and General Rodríguez, following National Route 7.
Along the route, 63 free support stations have been set up, offering medical assistance, hydration, food, and rest areas. AySA provides support with tanker trucks providing drinking water, and there are also recycling stations, toilets, and health care .
The organizers recommend wearing comfortable shoes, lightweight clothing, a coat for the evening, sunscreen, a flashlight, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle. We suggest walking in groups, avoiding excessive cell phone use, and avoiding alcohol consumption during the hike.
Buenos Aires Provincial Police have deployed a special operation with scheduled roadblocks, aerial patrols, and roadside assistance. NGOs, scout groups, and parishes have also joined in, offering food, shelter, and rest areas.
Testimonies that mark the 2025 Luján Pilgrimage
The Luján 2025 Pilgrimage is not only a religious event. It also represents a collective gesture of popular faith, in a context marked by economic uncertainty and the search for spiritual comfort. For many, it is a way to express gratitude, to pray, or simply to walk in company.
Stories like that of Marta, who is walking for her recovered daughter, or Tomás, who is participating for the first time with his parish group, reflect the profound meaning of this tradition. "Each person walks with what they carry in their life and places it at the feet of the Virgin," the Archbishopric stated.
More than 5,000 volunteers are helping with logistics, alongside neighborhood organizations that provide food, shelter, and rest areas. On social media, the slogan #Luján2025 has become a trending topic, with thousands of users sharing photos , messages, and promises.
Safety and assistance during the 2025 Luján Pilgrimage
The main Mass will be celebrated on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. in front of the Basilica, presided over by the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. There will also be celebrations in Plaza Belgrano and inside the church throughout the weekend. Over a million people are expected to attend.
On the other hand, Caritas and other organizations are promoting a solidarity campaign to collect non-perishable food items, diapers, and hygiene items, which will be distributed to community kitchens. This social dimension reinforces the communal nature of the pilgrimage, which transcends the religious and becomes an expression of collective commitment.
Luján as a national symbol
The Virgin of Luján is not only the patron saint of Argentina, but also an icon of popular identity. Her image has been present in historic moments, from rural processions to official ceremonies, and has accompanied generations through times of crisis, grief, and hope. For many, she represents a spiritual refuge, a figure that transcends the religious and connects with the deepest aspects of the national culture.
For many Uruguayans living in Buenos Aires or traveling specifically to participate, the pilgrimage represents a bridge between cultures, a way to keep Marian devotion alive and feel part of a broader community. Faith, like mate, crosses borders.
