SAN CAYETANO, Argentina (By Bill Cormier, Associated Press) August 8, 2006 — Thousands of Argentines traveled to a religious shrine Monday, some tearfully raising stalks of wheat symbolizing jobs gained, to give thanks for an improving economy that has cut the unemployment rate to close to single digits for the first time in 13 years.

Four years after the worst economic crisis on record shattered the job market in South America's second-largest economy, Argentines made their annual pilgrimage to a Roman Catholic Church of San Cayetano — a saint revered as the patron of bread, jobs and prosperity.

Many of the worshippers said they were thankful for an economy on the mend but still worried about the future.

President Nestor Kirchner inherited an economy in tatters when he took power three years ago. A 2002 financial meltdown brought hunger, despair and an unemployment rate that shot above 21 percent.

In May, Argentina's jobless rate was reported at a preliminary 9.8 percent. Kirchner said the rate for the second quarter of 2006 was 10.4 percent, down from 11.4 in the first quarter. The official statistics agency INDEC is due to release second quarter jobless numbers later this month.

Supporters say Kirchner has reaped some economic successes by keeping the peso steady and cheap at 3-to-1 to the dollar — a ratio that has favored Argentina's farm exports during a time of high commodity prices for soybeans and wheat. The government has also implemented inflation-fighting accords to hold down prices in sectors ranging from supermarkets and pharmaceuticals to dairy and beef producers.

Still, the country's inflation rate topped 12.3 percent in 2005 and is expected to finish just under that amount in all of 2006. Poverty still afflicts more than a quarter of Argentina's 37 million population and even Kirchner's supporters acknowledge that unemployment is still high in rural areas and more jobs need to be better paid.

"I've come to give thanks that things are getting better and that our economy seems to be slowly returning to normal," said 66-year-old retired schoolteacher Nelida Burdazco. She said many of her relatives had gotten jobs since recovery began three years ago.

"Inflation is still worrisome and we still have far too much unemployment, but things are looking up," Burdazco said, joining an enormous line that snaked for 17 blocks to the cream-colored church in the suburban working-class district of Liniers where an image of San Cayetano is housed.

Known in English as St. Cajetan, San Cayetano died in Naples in 1547. Among his works was the founding of a bank to help the poor and offer an alternative to loan sharks.

Retirees surviving on small pensions, factory workers in coveralls and office workers make the pilgrimage each Aug. 7 — San Cayetano's feast day — in good times and bad.

Jorge Danelli, a retired municipal worker, said he worries whether the economic recovery can be sustained.

"It's not like things are stupendous. There are a lot of people who are still struggling but at least everyone is a little better off," Danelli said.