Long ago, around 1840, during the brutal civil wars in Argentina, a woman named Deolinda Correa lived in the province of San Juan. When her husband was forcibly conscripted into the army and fell gravely ill, she decided to set out across the harsh desert to find him, carrying her infant child in her arms. With very little food or water, her journey through the scorching sands of Cuyo was driven entirely by loyalty to her husband and love for her child.
After days of wandering under the relentless sun, Deolinda grew exhausted from hunger, thirst, and fatigue. She collapsed beneath a small tree on a hillside, knowing she could go no further. With her final breaths, she prayed to the protective spirits to safeguard her baby, hoping against hope that her child would survive. A few days later, passing her resting place in the Vallecito hills, shepherds discovered something miraculous: Deolinda’s body had dried in the sun, yet her infant was alive and nursing from her still-flowing body. The child’s survival was regarded as a divine miracle, a testament to the enduring strength of maternal love.
The local people buried Deolinda where she fell, and her grave at Vallecito soon became a sacred pilgrimage site. Travelers, long-distance drivers, and shepherds believed that La Difunta Correa would protect them from thirst and accidents on dangerous roads. Over time, she also became a symbol of compassion for mothers, the poor, and anyone in need. Devotees created a unique tradition of leaving bottles of water at roadside shrines to quench her eternal thirst, giving thanks for blessings received or seeking her protection on their journeys.
The story of Deolinda teaches the power of maternal love, showing that it can triumph over death and the harshest forces of nature. It celebrates courage and perseverance, embodying the spirit of someone willing to face unimaginable hardship for the sake of loved ones. Above all, her legend reminds humanity of the importance of compassion, urging people to help and support one another, even in the most desperate circumstances.