Pilgrimage to Luján in Argentina with Special Consideration to Argentines of Polish Descent During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Spiritual Aspect.

Luján is considered the religious heart of Argentina, attracting pilgrims from all over the world. Among the pilgrimages across the world, there is also a Polish pilgrimage organized every year by Polish communities in Buenos Aires for the Polish Argentines. The purpose of this article is to examine the changes in the number of pilgrims, administered sacraments and celebrated masses in Luján from 2019 to 2023. The research shows that after a sharp decline in the number of pilgrims from 5 million in 2019 to 1 million in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a resurgence in pilgrimages, with over 6 million pilgrims worldwide in 2023. The article analyses empirical data collected through in-depth interviews with 25 Argentines of Polish descent (n = 25). Its purpose is to examine how the motives and intentions of these individuals for making a pilgrimage to Luján have changed before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as significance of the pilgrimage for each of them. The research clearly demonstrates that the pandemic has strengthened the faith of Polish pilgrims living in Argentina, who now view pilgrimages to Luján and entrusting their intentions to the Virgin Mary as a personal obligation.