Marian Advocations of Mauritius
In Mauritius, an island of deep Marian devotion gathered in the diocese of Port-Louis, Mary is venerated as a factor of unity between Catholics of African, Indian, Chinese and European origin, especially under the title of Queen of Peace.
Marian Wonders and Anecdotes of Mauritius
- The national sanctuary of Marie Reine de la Paz, on a hill that dominates Port-Louis, hosted in 2019 a mass of Pope Francis, confirming his role as a great place of prayer for the peace and unity of the country.
- Marian devotion in Mauritius is lived as a sign of inter-ethnic unity: Catholics of African, Hindu, Chinese and European origin meet under the mantle of Mary, especially in Marie Reine of Peace.
Diócesis de Port-Louis
History of Marian devotion in Mauritius
The devotion to the Virgin Mary in Mauritius, although a minority in a country of Muslim majority or traditional African religions, has a significant presence among local Christian communities. Christianity has come to these lands through European missionaries since the 15th century (Portuguese, French, Spanish), and the figure of Mary was one of the pillars of evangelization. Marian apparitions in Africa, like Kibeho's in Rwanda (1981- 1989), have boosted Marian devotion throughout the continent.
In Mauritius, the Virgin is venerated under various calls, many of them introduced by the missionaries: the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes. The local Catholic communities keep the devotion to Mary alive through the prayer of the Rosary, processions and patronal parties, which are expressions of an incarnate faith in African culture.
The Marian devotion in Mauritius has an extraordinary exponent in the shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption of La Salette, in the village of La Salette (Flacq district). This sanctuary, built in 1860, is the most important pilgrimage center of the Indian Ocean, receiving thousands of pilgrims every September 19 for the feast of Our Lady of La Salette. They also highlight the basilica of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Port Louis and the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in Quatre Bornes.
Marian Advocations of Mauritius
Mary Queen of Peace (Rose-Hill)
In Rose-Hill, in the centre of Mauritius, there is a parish dedicated to Marie Reine de la Paz, Maria Reina de la Paz, different from the great national sanctuary of the same title in Port-Louis.
Praise Mary Queen of Peace (Rose- Hill), pray for us.
Our Lady Helper of Cap Malheureux
Es la conocida iglesia de tejado rojo («Red Roof Church») situada en Cap Malheureux, en la costa norte de Mauricio, dentro de la Diócesis de Port-Louis, única diócesis del país.
"Our Lady Helper of Cap Malheureux, pray for us.
Marie Queen of Peace
According to the documented story, the monument of Marie Reine de la Paix is a statue of the Virgin Mary erected on the montagne des Signaux (Signal Mountain), dominating the city of Port Louis, capital of Mauritius.
"Our Lady, Marie Reine de la Paix, pray for us.
Our Lady of La Salette of Mauritius, national sanctuary of La Salette (Flacq)
The shrine of La Salette in Mauritius, built in 1860 by the missionaries, is the most important Marian pilgrimage center in the Indian Ocean. The image of the Virgin of La Salette recalls the apparition in the French Alps in 1846.
- Our Lady of La Salette of Mauritius, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Assumption of Puerto Luis, Cathedral of Mauritius
The cathedral of San Luis de Puerto Luis, built in 1752, is dedicated to San Luis and Our Lady of the Assumption. It hosts an image of the Virgin of the Assumption that is the object of great veneration among the Mauritanians.
- Our Lady of the Assumption of Puerto Luis, pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes of Quatre Bornes, venerated in the chapel of Quatre Bornes
The chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes of Quatre Bornes, in the centre of Mauritius, is a place of Marian prayer much loved by the faithful. Its grotto reproduces that of Massabielle and is visited by sick and pilgrims.
"Our Lady of Lourdes of Quatre Bornes, pray for us.
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