Marian Advocations of Cape Verde
In the Caboverdian archipelago, small and deeply Catholic, devotion to Mary lies in the ancient churches of the first Portuguese evangelization and today presides over the two diocesan headquarters of the country.
- Marvel and Marian anecdotes of Cape Verde
- The church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, in Cidade Velha, the former capital of the archipelago, is considered one of the oldest Catholic temples in the south of the Sahara, linked to the first Portuguese ecclesial implantation and to the memory of the enslaved population.
- When the diocese of Mindelo was erected in 2003, for the islands of Barlovento, the church of Nossa Senhora da Luz was chosen as a procession, entrusting under Mary's mantle all that portion of the archipelago.
Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde
History of Marian devotion in Cape Verde
The devotion to the Virgin Mary in Cape Verde, although a minority in a country of Muslim majority or traditional African religions, has a significant presence among local Christian communities. Christianity has come to these lands through European missionaries since the 15th century (Portuguese, French, Spanish), and the figure of Mary was one of the pillars of evangelization. Marian apparitions in Africa, like Kibeho's in Rwanda (1981- 1989), have boosted Marian devotion throughout the continent.
In Cape Verde, the Virgin is venerated under various vocations, many of them introduced by the missionaries: the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes. The local Catholic communities keep the devotion to Mary alive through the prayer of the Rosary, processions and patronal parties, which are expressions of an incarnate faith in African culture.
The diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde covers the islands of Sotavento, and the diocese of Mindelo those of Barlovento. The shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Mindelo, the church of Our Lady of the Rosary in São Filipe (Fogo) and the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in Assomada are important Marian centers. The Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption on August 15 is a great celebration throughout the archipelago. The Virgin Mary is invoked as a protector of the Caboverdian sailors and fishermen.
Marian Advocations of Cape Verde
Church of Our Lady of Light
It is a historic church dedicated to Our Lady of Light (Nossa Senhora da Luz), in Cidade Velha, island of Santiago, within the scope of the Diocese of Santiago of Cape Verde.
"Our Lady, Church of Our Lady of Light, pray for us.
Our Lady of Light
The diocese of Mindelo, which covers the islands of Barlovento of Cape Verde, was erected in 2003 and set its seat in the church of Nossa Senhora da Luz, in the city of Mindelo, which thus became a procession.
"Our Lady of Light, pray for us.
Church of Our Lady of the Dolores
It is the parish church of Santa Maria, on the island of Sal, dedicated to Our Lady of the Dolores (Nossa Senhora das Dores), and belongs to the Diocese of Mindelo (Cape Verde).
"Our Lady, Church of Our Lady of Dolores, pray for us.
Our Lady of Grace
The advocation of Our Lady of Grace in Praia is linked to the history of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça, located in the so-called Plateau, the historical center of the Caboverdite capital.
"Our Lady of Grace, pray for us."
Our Lady of the Rosary of Cidade Velha
The advocation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Cidade Velha is linked to the old urban nucleus of Ribeira Grande, today Cidade Velha, on the island of Santiago (Cape Verde), considered one of the first colonial cities of the...
"Our Lady of the Rosary of Cidade Velha, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Assumption of Praia, Cape Verde Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Praia, built in 1902, is the mother church of Cape Verde. Its neoclassical façade houses an image of the Virgin of the Assumption that presides over the great celebrations of the archipelago.
"Our Lady of the Assumption of Praia, pray for us.
Nuestra Señora de Fátima de Mindelo, santuario mariano de São Vicente
The shrine of Our Lady of Fátima de Mindelo on the island of São Vicente is a Marian pilgrimage center in the north of Cape Verde. The image of Fatima was brought by the Portuguese missionaries.
"Our Lady of Fátima de Mindelo, pray for us.
Nuestra Señora del Rosario de São Filipe (Fiego), venerated in the parish of São Filipe
The parish of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de São Filipe on the island of Fogo is one of the oldest Catholic centers in Cape Verde. Its colonial church houses an image of the Virgin of the Rosary of the 18th century.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of São Filipe, pray for us.
Is 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 →