Our Lady of Lourdes de Tieling - Marian Sanctuary of Liaoning

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At the western foot of the Longshou mountain, in the historic Catholic compound of Tieling, is the Marian mountain of Our Lady of Lourdes. Since 1997 it has been a place of pilgrimage for the Catholics of Liaoning, who come every 24 May to ask for Mary's intercession for the Church and for peace.

A sanctuary within a historical enclosure

The Marian mountain is not isolated from the city. It was built within the large compound of the Catholic church of Tieling, on the western hillside of Longshou. The parish occupies over twenty thousand square meters and brings together the temple, the old priestly residence, pastoral spaces, a residence for the elderly and the place of pilgrimage.

The main church is dedicated to Sacred Heart of Jesus. This title should not be confused with the advocation of the Marian mountain: the parish temple and the sanctuary of Lourdes share a compound, but they retain different devotional identities.

The Catholic roots of Tieling

The Catholic presence organized in this place goes back to 1875, when the first church was founded with support from the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris. The historical sources place the temple's consolidation at the end of the 19th century.

During the violence of 1900, the church was burned. In 1902, the French priest Henri Lamasse promoted his reconstruction and the new temple was dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The priestly residence and the present church thus retain more than a century of Christian memory.

Interruption and recovery

In 1966, public religious activity ceased. Priests and religious were removed from the community and some died during the years of persecution. The parish reopened in 1982after the progressive return of religious use.

A new dedication was held in November 1993 following the restoration works. The recovery of the compound made it possible for, a few years later, Tieling to assume a Marian mission for the entire province.

The creation of the Marian mountain in 1997

A comienzos de 1997, the Catholic Church of Liaoning chose Tieling as a place of pilgrimage. The reason for the parish history is precise: the faithful wanted to have a space to express their devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.

The Marian mountain was built in the courtyard of the church and was set on May 24 as an annual pilgrimage day. Since then, faithful come from different cities of Liaoning to celebrate the Eucharist, to pray and to entrust to Mary the needs of their families and communities.

Lourdes or Maria Auxiliadora?

The sanctuary was expressly born to venerate Our Lady of Lourdes. However, its annual pilgrimage takes place on May 24, liturgical feast of Mary Assistant and Day of Prayer for the Church in China. The two references coexist in the pastoral practice of Tieling.

The provincial pilgrimage

The provincial government of Liaoning documented, for example, the pilgrimage held on May 24, 2014 in the Marian mountain of Tieling. The official news confirms that this is not just a private parish devotion, but a Catholic call of provincial scope.

The parish chronicle published in 2024 states that tradition continues: every May 24 Tieling receives the pilgrimage of all Liaoning and the celebration is usually presided over by the bishop. The parish also maintains its ordinary celebrations and serves the faithful of the city and its surroundings.

Mary and prayer for China

From the beginning, the intention expressed by the pilgrims has been to ask that the intercession of Mary achieve peace and well-being to the Chinese people. This prayer joins the Day for the Church in China instituted by Benedict XVI for the same day.

Lourdes' invocation brings a concrete spirituality: to hear the call to conversion, to pray with humility, to approach the sick and to return to Christ through Mary. In Tieling, this spirituality is lived in community and with a special intention by the local Church.

Verified location

The address published by the parish history is 75 Fanrong Road, Cuifengling, distrito de Yinzhouat the western foot of Longshou. Aerial photography allows you to recognize the great ecclesial enclosure next to the wooded edge of the mountain and to distinguish the longitudinal building from the temple and its dependencies.

The marker is located in 42.29255, 123.85655 (WGS-84). It points to the center of the Catholic compound where the fountains place the Marian mountain; it must be understood with a precise enclosure, because international mapping does not identify the small inner monument. The Tieling generic centre and the Longshou mountain centre have not been used.

Spirituality of Our Lady of Lourdes of Tieling

The history of the place teaches that a wounded community can be rebuilt and open its doors to others. The sanctuary was born after the parish restoration and turned the memory of suffering into a provincial space of prayer.

Mary, invoked as Lady of Lourdes, accompanies those who come with disease, concern or tiredness. His presence leads to the Heart of Jesus, the headline of the temple that welcomes the pilgrimage.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes of Tieling

Mary Immaculate, Lady of Lourdes, receive your children who pilgrim to Tieling. He presents to Jesus the needs of the sick, the families and the communities of Liaoning. Save the Church in China, make us peace builders and teach us to serve the suffering. That, united with your Son's Heart, we live with faith, hope and charity. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Parish history of Tieling: direction, chronology, creation of the Marian mountain and current pilgrimage.
• Committee on Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Liaoning: provincial pilgrimage of 24 May.
• Inventory of historical churches: dating and linking Tieling to the Paris Foreign Missions.

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