Marian Advocations of Latvia
The Marian soul of Latvia beats in LatgaleHis Catholic region. There, in Aglona, the Basilica of the Assumption, the national sanctuary of the country, rises, which every 15 August brings together more than a hundred thousand pilgrims around their miraculous icon of the Virgin, venerated as Queen of Latvia. He's with her. Skiphill, second place of pilgrimage in the country.
- Marvel and Marian anecdotes of Latvia
The Catholic heart of the Baltic has the name of Virgin:
- Aglona - The Dominicans raised their first wooden church here in 1699; after a fire, the Baroque Basilica was raised (1768-1780). The tradition recalls an apparition of the Virgin on August 15, 1798. Today it is the national sanctuary of Latvia and brings together more than one hundred thousand pilgrims in the Assumption; it was visited by John Paul II (1993) and Pope Francis (2018).
- Skiphill - second place of pilgrimage of the country, ancient Marian sanctuary of the Jesuits on the border with Lithuania, with an image of the very dear Virgin and long tradition of graces.
Latgale
History of Marian devotion in Latvia
Latvia, a Baltic country of deep Catholic tradition in its region of Latgalia, has in the Sanctuary of Aglona the most important Marian center in northern Europe. The Virgin of Aglona, canonically crowned in 1993 by Pope John Paul II, is the patron of Latvia. The Dominican shrine of Aglona, built between 1768 and 1780 in Baroque style, is the goal of pilgrimage every 15 August (Asuncion de Maria), bringing together tens of thousands of faithful from the Baltic countries.
The Latvian Marian tradition, although a minority in a mostly Lutheran country, has survived thanks to the resistance of Latgalia Catholics during centuries of Swedish, Russian and Soviet domination. During the Soviet period (1940-1991), Aglona was a symbol of spiritual resistance and Latvian national identity. In addition to Aglona, the Shrine of Skaistkalne ("Bella Montaña"), also in Latgalia, where it has been venerated to the Virgin since the 17th century, stands out.
During the Soviet occupation (1940-1991), the shrine of Aglona was a symbol of spiritual resistance for the Latvian people. Despite religious persecution, the faithful continued to go on pilgrimage every 15 August, keeping the Catholic faith alive in Latvia. Pope Francis visited Aglona in 2018 during his trip to the Baltic countries. The second Marian sanctuary in the country is Skaistkalne, in the Zemgale region, where the Jesuits established a centre of devotion to the Virgin in the 17th century.
Marian Advocations of Latvia
Our Lady of Aglon
The devotion of Our Lady of Aglona is linked to the main Catholic sanctuary of Latvia in the region of Latgale, where the local tradition has since ancient a place of special sacrality, associated with a spring and...
"Our Lady of Aglona, pray for us."
Our Lady of Skaistkalne
The devotion to Our Lady of Skaistkalne is attached to the Roman Catholic Church of Skaistkalne, in Zemgale (Latvia), which today appears as an important center of Catholic faith in the region and the second place of pilgrimage more...
"Our Lady of Skaistkalne, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Aglona
Patron of Latvia, venerated in the Basilica Sanctuary of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Aglona. The image, an icon of the Virgin with the Ninyo of the 17th century, was taken to the sanctuary by the Dominicans in 1699. Canonically crowned by John Paul II in 1993 during his apostolic visit. His August 15 holiday brings together more than 100,000 pilgrims each year, making it one of the largest pilgrimages in northern Europe. The sanctuary, declared a minor Basilica in 1980, is the spiritual center of the Latvian Catholicism.
O Virgin of Aglona, Mother of Latvia, who in the time of trial you were a beacon of hope for your people, protect all Latvian families and grant us the peace and freedom of the children of God. Amen.
Our Lady of Aglona, patron of Latvia, Basilica of the Assumption
The Aglona shrine, declared a minor basilica in 1980, is the most important Marian centre in northern Europe. The image of the Virgin of Aglona, from the 17th century, was crowned by John Paul II in 1993. Every 15 August brings together more than 100,000 pilgrims.
"Our Lady of Aglona, pray for us."
Our Lady of Skaistkalne, second Marian shrine of Latvia
The shrine of Our Lady of Skaistkalne in the Zemgale region was founded by the Jesuits in the 17th century. His image of the Virgin with the Child is very venerated, and the Nativity of Mary (8 September) is his main feast.
"Our Lady of Skaistkalne, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Riga, venerated in the Catholic parish of Riga
The parish of Our Lady of the Rosary of Riga, in the Latvian capital, serves the Catholic community of the city. Its church, built in the 19th century, houses an image of the Virgin of the Rosary much loved by the faithful.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of Riga, pray for us.
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