They want another giant virgin in Mendoza: where it will be built and why

The construction of the dual carriageway , which will eventually connect San Martín with Rivadavia and whose first phase is almost complete and ready to open, will feature four roundabouts that will regulate traffic at the intersection with the main lanes in the area. At the entrance to Rivadavia, at the intersection with Falucho Street, there will be one, and there are plans to erect a large 9-meter-high monument in honor of the "Virgin Mother," as those who support the project already call her.

The main promoters are the Rivadavia electric cooperative, which will finance the project, and the Church, both through its San Isidro Labrador parish and the Archbishopric itself . It also has the support of the Provincial Highway Department.

The artist who will carry out the work will be San Martinian Daniel Jiménez and the project design is by architect Marcelo Medina .

The Virgin will have a kind of star-shaped pedestal, with 12 points, which will be about 3 meters high, and then the complete image of the Virgin will measure another 6 meters.

The project includes a sophisticated lighting concept, which will make the work stand out especially at night.

With a minimalist design, the first proposal says that the Virgin will embrace the city of Rivadavia with her back facing north.

The project will be a large reinforced concrete structure, constructed in assembleable blocks.

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Priest Alberto Daniel Caballero , parish priest of San Isidro Labrador, better known as Father Dany in the community and recognized in the province for his charisma and handling of social media that has transformed him into an "influencer priest," is one of those supporting and driving the construction of the monument to the Virgin Mother.

In a letter circulated by the parish seeking to gather signatures to support the project, Father Dany says:

Dear brothers and sisters in the faith:

I address you with humility and hope, in my role as pastor of this community I love so much, to share with you an initiative that calls us all together from the heart, faith, and sense of belonging.

As many of you already know, the new dual carriageway connecting National Route 7 with our beloved city of Rivadavia is a project that not only improves traffic flow but also transforms the entrance to our department, giving it a new image of progress, safety, and modernity.

In this context, and with the same spirit of dedication that has characterized its history, the Rivadavia Electric Cooperative has decided to present the people with a monumental sculpture in honor of the Virgin Mother Mary , which would be located at the new roundabout at the entrance to the department. The initiative originated from a proposal by the residents of the Cooperativa Eléctrica neighborhood, who expressed their desire to highlight the Padre Pío shrine located in that neighborhood. Based on that initial request, and after a process of dialogue and analysis with various representatives of the community, the project was redefined so that the tribute would take the form of a sculpture of greater reach and visibility that represents all Rivadavia residents and beautifies a strategic entry point to the department. This is how the image of the Virgin Mother Mary emerged and flourished as the symbol chosen to represent us all.

The work, almost nine meters tall, has been designed with a sober and modern artistic language, but charged with profound symbolism: it represents our Mother with open arms, welcoming, protecting, and welcoming all who enter our land.

This initiative, blessed by the Church and developed with the support of architect Marcelo Medina, artist Daniel Jiménez, members of the Cooperative, and the author of this article, is much more than a sculpture: it is a gesture of love, identity, and faith , which seeks to elevate the spirit of our community and leave a clear message of who we are and what values ​​sustain us.

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We know that the figure of the Virgin Mother, beyond its religious dimension, represents profoundly human values: welcome, care, compassion, and protection. Her image, with open arms, can speak to both believers and non-believers alike, because it expresses a universal gesture of love and protection. This work, conceived as a symbol of welcome and humanity, transcends beliefs and invites us to recognize what unites us: the desire for peace, encounter, and belonging. Therefore, we believe it will not only beautify the entrance to the department, but will also represent us all, as individuals and as a community.

With the greatest respect, I invite you to express your support for this project by signing this note to be forwarded to the competent authorities of the Provincial Highway Department, responsible for the access road. Your signature, more than mere consent, is an expression of community, shared faith, and hope.

May our Mother continue to watch over us, and may this collective gesture be an offering to her, her permanent blessing, and a symbol of unity for all the people of Rivadavia.

With affection and blessing

Father Dany