The original Sanctuary of the Difunta Correa is in Vallecito, Province of
San Juan, Argentina.
The veneration of the Difunta Correa is a popular Argentine tradition. It
is a curious fact for many foreigners when they see many bottles of water on
the side of the road.
According to the story, Deolinda Correa and her husband lived in a small
town in La Rioja. In 1840, her husband Don Clemente Bustos was recruited by
Facundo Quiroga as a soldier to participate in the civil war between Unitarios
and Federales. He had to leave with the army to fight in battles in San
Juan. According to the story, Clemente Bustos
was sick at that time.
One day, Deolinda Correa, worried about her husband and because she missed
him so much, decided to go out in search of the troops to ask Quiroga for
clemency and to return her husband.
Deolinda started her journey with her little baby and some horses in the
Cuyo desert. But, one day, Deolinda lethargically exhausted, by the fatigue
that produced the heat of the desert and thirst, lay down to rest in the shade
of some bushes and placed the baby on her breasts. Unfortunately, it was
already too late for her body because she finally died.
Days after his death some cattle drivers pass through the place and find
the body of Deolinda, but miraculously the little boy was alive.
About the destiny of the baby, there are no records, some historians of the
subject say that he was taken to La Rioja and lived his life; others say that
he dies at the time of being found and that the carriers would have taken them.
Over time the miraculous story became popular. So, different people came to
the grave to ask for favors. Today, more than 1,000,000 faithful walks monthly
to make petitions or offer thanks.
The most common offerings are bottles with water. However, people also show
appreciation for the purchase of a dream vehicle or that was needed. In the
place, there are many car patents, photos, toy trucks, but the most striking
are the houses, many are replicas or photos of houses built. It looks like a
big city of dollhouses.
Passing the town of Vallecito is the sanctuary that is like a small town in
the middle of the desert. There is a parking lot, a restaurant and a lot of
people, groups, private cars and even a bike path that connects the sanctuary
with the center of the city of San Juan.
To access the sanctuary, you have to reach the top of a small hill in the
desert, remember that you would be on the historical site of the event.
You have to start the ascent by a difficult staircase, covered by a shed of
all kinds of objects. These objects are samples of thanks or orders. There are
many patent car plates.
Once up there is a small altar and a statue full of plates, candles,
photos, everything.
The Deceased Correa is venerated in Argentina as a Saint even if it is not
recognized as such by the Catholic Church.