Jordanian Marian Advocations
Land of Baptism, the refuge of the Holy Family
Jordan is a land of deep biblical meaning: here Jesus was baptized, here Mary spent the flight to Egypt, and here one of the oldest Christian traditions is preserved. The Catholic Church in Jordan includes Latinos, mosques, Syrians, Armenians and Chaldeans, with 66 parishes. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has a strong presence. The Marian shrines include Our Lady of Mount Nebo, Our Lady of Madaba and Our Lady of Jordan. Jordan is the safest country in the Middle East for Christians and one of the few where the Christian population grows.
- Anecdotes and Marian traditions of Jordan
Mount Nebo and Mary. On Mount Nebo, from where Moses saw the Promised Land, tradition says that Mary also contemplated the land where her Son would grow. There is a sanctuary dedicated to it and a Byzantine mosaic that represents it.
Madaba and the map of the Holy Land. The Church of St. George in Madaba conserves the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land (6th century), where representations of Mary appear. Local tradition says that the Virgin protected this treasure for centuries.
She's fleeing to Egypt. The Jordanian tradition retains the route of the Holy Family in its flight to Egypt, which passed through the territory of current Jordan. Several churches commemorate this step.
The place of Baptism. In Bethany of Transjordania (Al-Maghtas), where John baptized Jesus, Marian tradition recalls that Mary was present spiritually. Every year pilgrims from all over the world come to renew their faith.
Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Benedict XVI visited Jordan in May 2009, blessed the first stone of the University of Madaba and celebrated Mass at the International Stadium of Amman, entrusting the country to the Virgin Mary.
Gobernación de Amán
The Jordanian capital houses several Marian Catholic and holy communities of great importance to the faithful of the region.
Catedral de San Jorge (melquita)
The Cathedral of St. George is the seat of the Greek-Greek Catholic Church in Amman. His main vocation is Marian, with a strong devotion to the Mother of God venerated in the Byzantine rite. The Melkite community, one of the most numerous in Jordan, keeps the Eastern Marian tradition alive.
"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peace is the center of the Latin community in Amman, under the care of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It is a place of pilgrimage and prayer where the Catholic faithful of Latin rite gather to honor the Virgin Mary under this advocation.
"Our Lady of Peace, pray for us.
Madaba
Madaba, the "City of Mosaics," is famous for its Byzantine heritage and deep Christian tradition. The Marian presence is central to his spiritual life.
Our Lady of Madaba
The Church of St. George in Madaba, known for hosting the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land (6th century), is also an important center of Marian devotion. The Virgin of Madaba is venerated by both Latinos and mosques, and her icon is visited by pilgrims from all over the world who travel the route of the Byzantine mosaics.
"Our Lady of Madaba, pray for us."
Monte Nebo (Government of Madaba)
Mount Nebo is one of the most emblematic places in the biblical tradition. From its top, Moses saw the Promised Land. Today is also a first-class Marian sanctuary.
Our Lady of Mount Nebo
The sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Nebo rises on the top of the mountain from where Moses saw the Promised Land. Tradition holds that Mary also contemplated from here the land where her Son would grow. The sanctuary houses a valuable Byzantine mosaic that represents the Virgin, and is a pilgrimage goal for those who follow the Marian route of the Holy Land. The views of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea are impressive.
"Our Lady of Mount Nebo, pray for us.
Bethany de Tranjordania.
The place of the Baptism of Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a Marian destination where pilgrims remember the presence of the Mother of God in the public life of their Son.
Our Lady of the Jordan
Our Lady of the Jordan is venerated in the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Although the Gospels do not explicitly mention Mary in Baptism, the Marian tradition recalls her present spiritually at this foundational moment of the public life of Christ. Every year, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to renew their faith and to entrust themselves to the Virgin in the waters of the Jordan.
"Our Lady of the Jordan, pray for us.
Other Marian parishes in Jordan
In addition to the great sanctuaries, devotion to the Virgin Mary extends throughout all the dioceses of the country through parishes and local communities.
Our Lady of Perpetual Relief (Zarqa)
Zarqa, the second most populous city in Jordan, has a parish dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Relief, much loved by the local Catholic community. It is a center of prayer and meeting for the faithful of the country's industrial area.
🙏 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Rosary (Irbid)
Irbid, north of Jordan, houses the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, where the Catholic community meets to pray the Rosary and keep the Marian tradition alive. The city is an important university center with a vibrant Christian community.
"Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
Immaculate Conception (Karak)
The parish of the Immaculate Conception in Karak bears witness to the Catholic faith in southern Jordan. The city, famous for its cross castle, retains a Christian community that honors the Virgin under the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
🙏 Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Santa Maria Reina (Aqaba)
Aqaba, the only coastal city of Jordan on the banks of the Red Sea, has the parish of Santa Maria Reina. It is a meeting point for Catholics from the south of the country and for pilgrims who travel to the Holy Land on the Red Sea route.
"St. Mary Queen, pray for us."
Links about Marian devotion in Jordan
Sources: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Catholic Church in Jordan, local tradition, pilgrimage chronicles.
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