Marian calls from Afghanistan
Mary's Discrete Presence on Mission Land
Afghanistan and the Virgin Mary
Afghanistan is an Islamic country without a significant official Catholic presence. It is estimated that before 2021 there were 200 católicos throughout the country, almost all foreigners: diplomats, NGO staff and military. There is no diocese or parish open to the public. The Misión Sui Iuris de Afghanistan was erected by St. John Paul II in 2002, with headquarters in the chapel of the Italian embassy.
The Marian presence in Afghanistan has two faces. The first, the única iglesia católica del país: The Chapel of Our Lady of Divine Providence (then dedicated to Our Lady of Annunciation), within the Italian diplomatic compound in Kabul, not open to the public and closed since the evacuation of 2021. The second, the Islam: Mary (Maryam) is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran, with a complete sura (the 19) dedicated to her. Many Muslim Afghans venerate Maryam as the mother of the prophet Isa (Jesus).
Before the Islamic conquest of the 7th century, there were Nestorian Christian communities in Herat, Balkh and Kabul. Some of her churches were dedicated to Mary. Those communities disappeared by conversion to Islam or emigration, but their memory continues.
Marian histories and anecdotes
1. The chapel of the Italian embassy
The only Catholic church in Afghanistan was inside the Italian embassy in Kabul. Built around 1960, it was a small and white building 15 meters long, with Christian symbols relegated to the interior so as not to draw attention. The barnite parents attended her for decades. There Mass was held, the Rosary was prayed and an image of the Virgin was kept. In 2021, with the Taliban takeover, the embassy moved to Doha and the chapel was closed and abandoned. The few Catholics who could access it prayed there for the peace of the country.
2. Maryam in the Koran
Mary (Maryam) occupies a unique place in Islam. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran and has a complete sura (19, Maryam) dedicated to it. The Quran tells of his birth, his childhood in the temple, the Annunciation and the virginal birth of Jesus. Many Muslim Afghans have deep respect for the Virgin Mary. In Afghan homes it is not rare to find Maryam's name as a blessing. Those who visit countries where there are images of the Virgin often show him veneration.
3. The Missionaries of Charity in Kabul
The Sisters of Mother Teresa were present in Kabul until August 2021. They provided a home for orphans and children with disabilities, where they provided care, food and education. They prayed the Rosary daily in their chapel. They were evacuated after the Taliban took Kabul. His silent work was an evangelical witness in the midst of a country punished by decades of war.
4. Pre-Islamic Nestorian Christianity
Before the arrival of Islam in the seventh century, Afghanistan was part of the Church of the East (nestorian). There were Christian communities organized in Herat, Balkh (the former Bactriana) and Kabul. Some of her churches were dedicated to Mary. St. Thomas Apostle, the traditional patron of the country, would have preached in the region. Over time, those Christians converted to Islam or emigrated, but their Marian footprint remains in historical memory.
5. The Virgin of Peace of the secret converts
There are small groups of converted Afghan Christians who live their faith in secret, risking their lives, for the apostasy of Islam is punishable by the death penalty. In their hiding they venerate the Virgin as «Madre de la Paz» and pray the Rosary in silence asking for Afghanistan. For them, Mary is a spiritual refuge in the midst of persecution.
Marian advocacy in Afghanistan
Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación (Kabul)
It is the title of the chapel of the Italian embassy in Kabul. A painting of the Annunciation, the work of Ulisse Salvini, presided over the altar. Under this title, the Virgin was the silent protector of the small Afghan Catholic community for almost a century. The chapel was the only place throughout the country where the Eucharist could be celebrated and the Rosary publicly prayed.
The Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación, ruega por Afghanistan.
Santa María de Herat (antigua iglesia nestoriana)
Before the Islamic conquest, there was in Herat a Nestorian Christian community that had a church dedicated to Mary - "Santa Maria de Herat" - of which it is known from Syrian sources. That community was part of the extensive network of the Eastern Church that reached China. The local tradition recalls that there the Theotokos (Mother of God) was venerated following the Eastern Syriac liturgy.
Por the people of Afghanistan.
Virgin of Peace (devotion of secret converts)
Not officially recognized, this advocation is born from the piety of the converted Afghan Christians who live their faith in hiding. Under the title "Virgin of Peace," they invoke Mary as an intercessor in the face of the violence and persecution they suffer. They secretly pray the Rosary, often with improvised accounts, calling for peace and reconciliation in their country.
"Our Lady of Peace, pray for Afghanistan.
Our Lady of the Rosary (Missionaries of Charity)
The Sisters of Mother Teresa maintained a home for orphans and disabled people in Kabul until 2021. His chapel was dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, who prayed daily. His Marian presence was a witness of charity in the midst of the war. The sister community was evacuated after the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
"Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for the missions.
Related links
A flower for the Virgin
Reza un Ave María por Afghanistan y por la paz de este país martirizado.
Pray a Hail MaryIs the advocation of the Virgin Mary of your people missing?
Si no encuentras la advocación mariana de tu ciudad o pueblo, cuéntanosla: la investigaremos para ubicarla y darla a conocer en este mapa del amor de la Madre por el mundo.
Propose an apvocation →