Cathedral of Our Lady of the Congo

Marian Invocation of Kinshasa (Archdiocese of Kinshasa)
Recognized by the Church

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Congo (Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Congo), in the commune of Lingwala, is the main Marian temple of the archdiocese of Kinshasa and the seat of the archbishop. It was built in the Belgian colonial period and came to replace the old cathedral of Saint- Pierre. In the verifiable sources there is no account of a singular miracle or exvote linked to the image of the main altar; the references are those of a great national cathedral.

Main data

Origin and history

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Congo (Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Congo), in the commune of Lingwala, is the main Marian temple of the archdiocese of Kinshasa and the seat of the archbishop. It was built in the Belgian colonial period and came to replace the old cathedral of Saint- Pierre. In the verifiable sources there is no account of a singular miracle or exvote linked to the image of the main altar; the references are those of a great national cathedral.

The image and the sanctuary

It is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Kinshasa, consecrated to the Virgin under the national title of Our Lady of the Congo. It is one of the great centers of the liturgical life of the country, the scene of national celebrations, great ordinations and masses for peace. There is no documented description of a headline image with a tradition of own miracles.

Sponsorship and coronation

As a metropolitan cathedral, it is dedicated to Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Congo, in which the Virgin is called especially as Mother of peace and unity of the country. There is no documented canonical coronation of your image in available sources.

Party and devotion

There is no "nationalized" holiday as such in the fountains; the cathedral celebrates the great Marian solemnities (Immaculate, 8 December; Asunción, 15 August). Devotion is lived in processions and rosaries for peace, especially in times of social and political tension.

Link to the Rosary

In the cathedral, as in the entire Congolese Church, Mary is invoked as Mother of peace and unity through the prayer of the Rosary for the reconciliation of the country. The Rosary usually accompanies the great Marian celebrations of this temple.