San Nicolas: September 25, 1983 - February 11, 1990

Origin (1)

On September 24, 1983, a 46-year-old woman of humble condition named Gladys Herminia Quiroga de la Motta, married to a metal worker and the mother of 2 daughters, noticed that her rosary was "glowing," in her home.

On September 25th, Gladys was in her bedroom when she saw the Virgin, wearing a blue dress and accompanied by the Child Jesus: "I was saying my rosary and I saw her image. But she didn't speak," she explained. The apparition gave her a rosary.

Our Lady appeared again on September 28th, then October 7th and 13th. On that day, she spoke for the first time: "You have been faithful. Don't be afraid, come see me." One message evoked Ezekiel 2: 4-10. This was the first of hundreds of biblical references given to the seer in the 1,800 messages that she received until February 11, 1990.

The public apparitions continued until February 11, 1990. They were all very close in time but didn't follow a regular pattern. Sometimes she would receive up to one visit everyday. Some were accompanied by fragrances.

From February 3, 1983, to December 30, 1989, Gladys also saw Jesus 78 times, and received messages from him:

"In the past, the world was saved by Noah's Ark. Today, my Mother is the Ark [...]. Whoever rejects my mother rejects me." (December 30, 1989)

On November 16, 1984, Gladys received the stigmata. Doctors examined her, and saw blood oozing from beneath her wrists, at the precise spot of the crucifixion.

Fruits

The spiritual fruits are countless: prayer groups, conversions, vocations, pilgrimages attended by thousands of people on the 25th of each month. Cures are recorded by a medical board.

Commission of investigation and the position of the Church (1)

A commission of investigation was instituted in April 1985. Its conclusions were published the following October. In the events of San Nicolas, "only the Virgin matters. It is all about her: on how to be devoted to her and venerate her." It was established that the messages contain no doctrinal errors. But the commission has not given a conclusive statement.

A number of experts (biblical scholars, theologians, etc.), without experience in spiritual discernment, have examined the external facts from the point of view of their own field. 

• On March 25, 1986, the Most Reverend Dominyco Salvador Castagna, bishop of San Nicolas, made the pilgrimage for the first time. In his homily, he intended to: "answer the call of the Blessed Mother, and acknowledge her presence, while separating what comes from her, and what comes from human exaggeration and deviations."
• On September 25, 1986, work on the new shrine began, dedicated to "Mary of the Rosary of San Nicolas."
• On December 28, 1987, Bishop Castagna authorized the foundation of an institute of life devoted to facilitating the pilgrimage: the Daughters of Mary of the Rosary of San Nicolas.
• On March 19, 1989, the statue of the Virgin venerated in the cathedral was transferred to the new shrine. Even though the bishop never officially authorized the public cult nor canonically recognized the apparitions, he was nevertheless present at all the stages of the life of the shrine. Bishop Castagna, who approved the apparition in a fruitful and pastoral way, paid it a visit twice a year -- for the monthly procession -- on May 25th, Argentina's national holiday, and September 25th, the anniversary feast of the first apparition and of the shrine itself.
• His successor, Bishop Mario Luis Mauliòn, has followed in his footsteps.
• The current bishop, Bishop Cardelli, continues to preside over the monthly processions attended by hundred of thousands. Bishop Cardelli actually goes further: he goes to San Nicolas unannounced, to celebrate Mass and hear confessions.
• The apparitions of San Nicolás de los Arroyos were recognized by Msgr Hector Sabatino Cardellli on May 22, 2016.

Prayers posted on the official website

A simple prayer to God the Father

Father, deliver us from evil. Lord, by your Holy Wisdom, save us from all sin. On behalf of all, we ask you, Lord, lead us onto the path of Goodness. Amen.

Heart of Mary

Heart of Mary, you are so wonderful that I would never imagined to know you one day. Mary, you make me rejoice, my heart overflows with joy, with just a glance at the light you shed. You shine like the sun at midday, you are transparent like spring water but the love that you bear in your Heart, Mary, is so great that it reaches and covers the whole world. I hope that all nations will one day meet you, my Mother, and see you also, just for one instant. Enlighten humanity so there may be peace and brotherly love, and that hatred may be erased from this world for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Spirit

Pure Spirit, you who have spread your gifts to a poor sinner, prepare my heart and free me from the temptation of the world, in order to be accepted by you. Already I fear no more, because you are near me. I walk with confidence toward your glorious and purifying light. May you be blessed for ever and ever. Amen

To the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus, because I am weak, I beg you to guide my steps, protect me and bless me. May you be blessed O Lord, because in your heart lays our salvation. Do with me according to your will. Amen.

Another prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most sweet Heart of Jesus, I bless you, I revere you, and I ask you to have compassion on me. May I never leave the path of the Lord. Give me strength, O Sacred Heart, in order to amend my sins and merit the peace of the Lord. Amen.

A simple prayer to Mary

O very sweet Mother, by all the pains you have endured, help me carry my cross.

Consecration to Mary

O my Mother, I desire to consecrate myself to you. Virgin Mary, today I consecrate my life to you; I feel a constant need for your presence in my life, for your protection, your guidance and consolation. I know that with you my soul will find rest, anguish won't overtake me, my failures will turn into successes, and my tiredness turned into strength. Amen. 

(1) R. Laurentin, Un appel de Marie en Argentine. San Nicolas, Paris, O.E.I.L., 1990.

Official site of the shrine: https://virgen-de-san-nicolas.org/