Marian Advocations of Indonesia
The Mother of God in the archipelago of the seventeen thousand islands
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, but it houses ~ 8.5 million Catholics (3%). Catholicism came with the Portuguese in 1511; St. Francis Javier preached in the Molucas (1546-1547). Today the Church has 37 dioceses. Marian devotion is intense in Flores, West Timor, North Sulawesi, Central Java and Kalimantan. The Indonesian Church stands out for its interreligious harmony under the principles of Pancasila.
Marian Wonders and Anecdotes of Indonesia
- La Catedral de Yakarta frente a la mezquita Istiqlal - The Cathedral of the Asunción (1901, neo-Gothic) rises in front of the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia. An underground tunnel connects both temples. At Christmas the Muslims guard the cathedral; in Ramadan the Catholics do the same in the mosque.
- Our Lady of Sendangsono and the three children - In 1954 three pastoral children saw a light in a cave next to the spring of Sendangsono (Central Java). The place was transformed into Marian sanctuary, today the main Catholic pilgrimage center of Java.
- The Virgin of Kerep and the miracle of Ambarawa - In 1994 an image of Lourdes in the church of Kerep (Ambarawa, Central Java) cried oil tears. After canonical research, the Vatican approved the local cult and the place is a destination for national pilgrimage.
- As long as Santa en Larotanka (Flores) - The most famous Holy Week in Indonesia, with the procession of Our Lady of the Dolores. It dates from the Portuguese 16th century and attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims. The images are dressed in black fabrics and the entire community participates in the Viacruces.
- Puhsarang and the Virgin of the Cave - In East Java, the Puhsarang shrine (1930s) houses an artificial cave dedicated to Lourdes. The pilgrims go up on their knees and pray the rosary.
- San Francisco Javier in the Molucas - The missionary preached in Ambon and Ternate (1546-1547), baptizing thousands. He left an image of the Virgin who was still being venerated in Ternate.
Yakarta
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
The site of the Archbishopric of Jakarta, the New Gothic Cathedral of 1901 rises in front of the Istiqlal Mosque. It is the main Catholic temple of the capital and emblematic place of interreligious encounter.
"Virgin of the Assumption, Queen of Indonesia, pray for peace and harmony among all the inhabitants of this nation.
Maria Reina del Rosario de Jakarta
The faithful of Jakarta honor the Virgin under this advocation with the community prayer of the Rosary, especially intense in October, with processions and parish novenas.
Por María Reina del Rosario, teach years to pray with the heart and to live in peace with all our brothers.
Java
Our Lady of Sendangsono
Since 1954, when three children saw a light in a cave, Sendangsono is the most important Marian sanctuary in Java. The image shows the Virgin with javanese features, dressed in kain and kebaya.
"Our Lady of Sendangsono, Mother of Java, lead the way of your Son Jesus.
Our Lady of Puhsarang
Built in the 1930s, the artificial cave of Puhsarang is replica of the Grotto of Massabielle. The pilgrims rise on their knees praying the rosary. The attached crucis track has javanese-sized stations.
"Our Lady of Lourdes of Puhsarang, Mother of the pilgrims, come with us years on our way of faith.
Nuestra Señora de Kerep (Ambarawa)
In 1994 the image of Lourdes in Kerep cried oil tears. After canonical research, the Vatican approved the local cult. Today it is a sanctuary of pilgrimage, especially visited by the sick who seek the intercession of the Virgin.
"Virgin of Kerep, who shed tears of love for your people, praise us for the grace of conversion and peace.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Semarang
Cathedral of the Archbishop of Semarang. Each October celebrates with solemnity the feast of the Rosary with novenas, processions and community prayer in Javanese and Indonesian.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of Semarang, Mother of the Church in Java, intercede for all the faithful of Indonesia.
Our Lady of Ganjuran
Famous for her image of the Virgin with javanese features carved in Andean stone, dressed in kain kebaya. The shrine of the Sacred Heart in Bantul (Yogyakarta) houses a very visited Marian chapel, an example of the inculturation of the sacred art.
"Our Lady of Ganjuran, Mother of all the people of Java, acogens under your mantle.
Flowers and the rest of the archipelago
Our Lady of the Larantuka Dolores
The oldest and most massive Holy Week in Indonesia. The image of the Dolores, dressed in black, processes Good Friday in overwhelming silence. The tradition dates back to the Portuguese 16th century and includes the image of the Señor Muerto (Senior Dead).
"Our Lady of the Dolores, Mother of silence and suffering, join us in our pains and give us strength.
Our Lady of Fátima de Flores
Flowers, a Catholic heart of Indonesia, has numerous chapels and grotto dedicated to Fatima. Every 13 May the communities celebrate with processions and rosary. Especially venerated in rural areas, where crops and families are commissioned.
"Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of the Rosary, pray for the farmers and families of the island of Flores.
Our Lady of Velangkenni of Medan
Replica of the Indian shrine of Velankanni (Tamil Nadu), built by the Tamil Catholic community of Medan. It reflects the influence of the Indian diaspora in Indonesia and is a pilgrimage centre for the Catholics of Sumatra.
"Our Lady of Velangkenni, Health of the Sick, bring us healing of the body and the soul.
Church in Indonesia
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