Immaculate Conception of Andohalo

Marian vocation of Antananarivo (Andohalo district) (Archdiocese of Antananarivo)
Recognized by the Church

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Antananarivo, in the Andohalo district, is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception (Cathédrale de l'Immaculée Conception d'Andohalo). Antananarivo was one of the first Catholic implantation centers in the 19th century, with Jesuit and then Lazarist missions; the present temple is from the late 19th or early 20th century, although it does not know the exact date in the sources consulted.

Main data

Origin and history

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Antananarivo, in the Andohalo district, is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception (Cathédrale de l'Immaculée Conception d'Andohalo). Antananarivo was one of the first Catholic implantation centers in the 19th century, with Jesuit and then Lazarist missions; the present temple is from the late 19th or early 20th century, although it does not know the exact date in the sources consulted.

The image and the sanctuary

It is the metropolitan cathedral of the archdiocese and an important center of the Marian life of the capital. It is near historical places linked to the persecution of Christians in the 19th century, whose memory is united in local piety to devotion to the Immaculate.

Sponsorship and coronation

Metropolitan Cathedral with full official title of the Immaculate Conception. There is no canonical coronation of a concrete image.

Party and devotion

It is celebrated on 8 December, solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, with great solemnity in the archdiocese. The cathedral is the stage of processions and great Marian celebrations, such as the Month of Mary and multitudinary rosaries. There are no miracles or apparitions specifically linked to this image.

Link to the Rosary

The multitudinary rosaries held around the cathedral express the deep Marian piety of the Malagasy people, who meet in Andohalo to pray to the Immaculate, Mother conceived without sin and Predilect Daughter of the mystery that the Rosary contemplates.