The remarkable protection granted to the Army of the Andes by its Patron and General, Our Lady of Cuyo, cannot fail to be observed. I am obliged as a Christian to acknowledge the favour and to present to Our Lady, who is venerated in your Reverence's church, my staff of command which I hereby send: for it belongs to her and may it be a testimony of her protection to our Army.

Letter to the superior of the Franciscans at Cuyo (12 August 1818), as quoted in "Virgin of Cuyo" in The Catholic Encyclopedia (1914)