The remains of the Patagonian Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá rest in a temple in the shape of a kultrún, located in the San Ignacio area.
During his meeting with the Supreme Pontiff, the President of Neuquén invited him to visit the province and asked for the sanctification of Ceferino Namuncurá. “I believe that this is what many believers are asking for: that Ceferino be made a saint”, said Figueroa.
The governor explained that the Camino de Gracia is a project that involves multiple actors as it extends from the north to the south of the province and requires a respectful approach to the feelings of the communities, that is why he commented it during the last regionalization meeting held in Junín de los Andes with local authorities, regional delegates and provincial officials who participated in that meeting and articulation space.
Today, those who travel from north to south usually use National Route 40, since it is paved. But the paved Provincial Route 23 will offer other possibilities of circulation, including new forms of binational links through the Pino Hachado, Icalma, Mamuil Malal and Carirriñe border crossings.
The projected Camino de Gracia would start from the Domuyo volcano to -probably- Junín de los Andes, with the possibility of including new destinations, proposing an immersion in the different identities and customs associated with the expressions of faith and devotion.
Among others, the governor mentioned the Virgin of Lourdes, a festivity that takes place on February 11 every year in the adobe chapel of Ailinco. From several places people travel on horseback, by bicycle or on foot to pay homage to the Patron Saint of the breeders of Northern Neuquén.
Also San Sebastián, from Las Ovejas, where the novena of adoration to the Saint takes place every year. From January 11 to 20 the community and tourists gather in the chapel to pray or follow the prayers by radio. Recitals and presentations of popular singers, artistic events, gastronomic samples and artisan meetings have contributed to make this festival one of the most important in Patagonia Argentina.
Other important religious events that attract the interest of many visitors to the region are the traditional excursion to the Virgen María Auxiliadora de Chos Malal. Hundreds of people take the low-difficulty trek to the natural viewpoint to appreciate the monument to the Virgin Mary and the Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross) next to the image of Christ.
Several religious landmarks allow concluding this Way of Grace in Junín de los Andes, land of Blessed Laurita Vicuña and Ceferino Namuncurá and site chosen to create the Via Christi. In this respect, the governor said: “We have an architect who has left his stamp on the Province: Alejandro Santana, whom we must value and promote not only for Junín de los Andes but for the whole province”.
Santana is an architect by profession and an acclaimed sculptor: he designed and created each one of the stations that make up the Vía Christi theme park, including the emblematic Cristo Luz: a 52-meter-long work that emerges from the hill.
