Marian advocacy of Kazakhstan
Catholic Faith in Central Asia
Kazakhstan houses a Catholic community consisting mainly of descendants of Polish, German and Lithuanian deportees of the Soviet era. Despite being a minority, Kazakh Catholics maintain an active Marian faith. The country has one of the most active Catholic communities in Central Asia.
Wonders and Marian Anecdotes of Kazakhstan
Deportados que conserved la fe
The Kazakh Catholic community descends from Polish and German deportees who retained their faith during decades of Soviet persecution. During Stalinism, hundreds of thousands of Poles, Germans and Lithuanians were deported to Kazakhstan. In extreme conditions, they kept their Marian devotion alive in secret, transmitting the prayer of the Rosary from parents to children as a hidden treasure. This heritage of silent faith is the root of the current Kazakh Catholic Church.
El Seminario Mayor «María Madre de la Iglesia» de Karagandá
Karagandá alberga el Seminario Mayor «María Madre de la Iglesia», el único seminario católico de Asia Central. Fundado tras la caída de la Unión Soviética, forma sacerdotes no solo para Kazajistán sino para toda la región, incluyendo Uzbekistán, Kirguistán, Tayikistán y Turkmenistán. Es un faro de esperanza para la Iglesia en Asia Central y un testimonio del renacer católico en la región.
The Virgin of Fatima in Karaganda
The Virgin of Fatima is especially venerated in Kazakhstan. Karagandá has a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, built thanks to the efforts of the local Catholic community. The devotion to Fatima connects the Kazakh Catholics to the universal Church and to the message of prayer and peace that the Virgin entrusted to the Portuguese pastoralists in 1917.
The visit of Pope John Paul II (2001)
El papa Juan Pablo II visitó Kazajistán en septiembre de 2001, convirtiéndose en el primer pontífice en pisar esta tierra. Durante su visita a Astana, celebró una multitudinaria misa ante más de 30.000 fieles y se reunió con líderes religiosos del país. El Papa calificó a Kazajistán como «tierra de encuentro entre Oriente y Occidente» y alentó a la comunidad católica a ser levadura de reconciliación en la sociedad kazaja.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
The feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 December) is celebrated with great solemnity in all parishes of Kazakhstan. It is the country's main patron party, as the Cathedral of Astana is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. On this date, Kazakh Catholics, descendants of many different nations, are united in the same Marian faith that transcends their Polish, German, Lithuanian and Ukrainian origins.
Marian devotions
Advocations by province
Akmola
Our Lady Queen of Peace of Oziornoe
The parish of Oziornoe, dedicated to Our Lady Queen of Peace, serves the Catholic community of the Akmola region. This area received many German and Polish deportees during the Soviet era, and the parish is a meeting centre for its descendants. The advocation of the Queen of Peace expresses the yearning of a people who have known the suffering of exile and deportation.
"Our Lady Queen of Peace of Oziornoe, pray for us.
Karagandá
Our Lady of Fatima of Karaganda
The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Karagandah is one of the most important Marian centers in Kazakhstan. Built by the local Catholic community, it houses an image of the Virgin of Fatima who receives special veneration. Karagandá was a major destination of deportations during the Soviet era, and devotion to Fatima - which promised the conversion of Russia - has a profound meaning for the Catholics of this region.
"Our Lady of Fatima of Karagandah, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Karagandá (Cathedral)
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Karagandah is the seat of the diocese of Karagandah. This temple is a testimony to the vitality of the Catholic faith in the region. The Rosary is a central devotion for Kazakh Catholics, who see in this prayer a link with their ancestors who were secretly praying during Soviet persecution.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of Karagandah, pray for us.
Almaty
Our Lady of Lourdes of Almaty
The parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Almaty - the former capital of the country - serves the Catholic community of the largest city of Kazakhstan. The advocation of Lourdes connects the faithful with the message of prayer and penance that the Virgin transmitted to Saint Bernardite in 1858. It is a meeting place for Catholics from various backgrounds residing in Almaty.
- Our Lady of Lourdes of Almaty, pray for us.
Astana (capital)
Immaculate Conception of Astana
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Astana is the seat of the Archdiocese of Astana and the most emblematic Catholic temple in Kazakhstan. It was consecrated in 1999 and its modern architecture incorporates elements that evoke the Eastern Christian tradition. It is a symbol of the rebirth of the Catholic Church following the fall of communism and a pilgrimage centre for Catholics from all over Central Asia.
"Immaculate Conception of Astana, pray for us.
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