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The blessing of the fruit
The Blessing of the Fruit is an artistic and religious act
that, lately, has been carried out in the Prado Gaucho, in the east
coast on the Fountain of the Continents at General San Martin Park.
Liturgical for its characteristics and religious in its essence, is
an act of appreciation to God for the fruits received, with the
participation of the Virgin of Carrodilla, image that came to Cuyo
in 1911, bringing in her hands some grapes and closely linked to the
history of the harvest.
By the decree No 54 the government of Cano, on February 9, 1938,
declared the Celestial patron saint of Vineyards, under a title of
La Carrodilla. The origin of the Blessing was established in Mendoza
as a custom of peasants who dedicated their offering of fruit to any
image near the end of the year's work.
The first time the celebration was performed, a huge container
filled with fruit was blessed. Both the place and time have been
modified on several occasions. In 1939, it was added one of the
constituent parts of the act, in tribute to the vintage. It
consisted of a rustic frame, made with wood from a plough, which
maintains a grate. The humble tool symbolized the men who eke out
the earth, the backbone of the celebration.
The governor of the province is responsible for giving blows to the
grate, recalling how people used to be called to rest in the fields,
at noon and at sunset. With blows to the grate, every year people
are called to rest, to celebrate and to taste new wines.
The annual religious ceremony was officiated by the
Archbishop of Mendoza and was attended by the Governor of the
Province and other provincial and municipal authorities; the Queen
of the Harvest, the departmental queens, a lot of locals and
tourists.
Originally, the act was carried out in the forecourt of the
Carrodilla Church, but due to the massive turnout of audience, it
had to be moved. Currently it takes place in the Prado Gaucho at
General San Martin Park.
Virgen de La Carrodilla
The countrymen from Mendoza are deeply religious; they have
always looked up to their faith to receive encouragement in their
despair, to alleviate their pain, to dry their tears, to fill their
desires and to meet their aspirations. The farmer who knows the
suffered life in the groove, enhances his appeal for a good harvest
in the image of the Virgin of Carrodilla.
The image of the Virgin was brought to Mendoza by Don Antonio
Solanilla, who placed it in a beautiful grotto built in his house,
where neighbours and relatives would go to pray for a good harvest.
Subsequently, a church was built where today houses in the Parish
of Carrodilla, located on San Martin Avenue of Luján de Cuyo, and
which receives the love and prayers of our harvesters.
During the central acts, those men who raise a plea of silent
devotion, love and hope carry the image of the Virgin. The
traditionalist centres of Maipú, Junín, La Consulta, Chañar, Colonel
Dorrego and the Delegación Sur are responsible for escorting the
Virgin.
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