Our Lady of Mission

Marian title of Ziguinchor (Diocese of Ziguinchor (Casamance))
Recognized by the Church

The Marian shrine of Ziguinchor, dedicated to Our Lady of Mission, was officially opened in December 2010 in the city of Ziguinchor, capital of the Casamance region. He was born in the context of the Catholic mission in a region marked for decades by tensions and a low-intensity conflict, so that the advocation was conceived from the beginning as a sign of hope and reconciliation. The dedication to Our Lady of the Mission underlines Mary's role as Mother of the Church in evangelization and in mission ad gentes.

Main data

Origin and history

The Marian shrine of Ziguinchor, dedicated to Our Lady of Mission, was officially opened in December 2010 in the city of Ziguinchor, capital of the Casamance region. He was born in the context of the Catholic mission in a region marked for decades by tensions and a low-intensity conflict, so that the advocation was conceived from the beginning as a sign of hope and reconciliation. The dedication to Our Lady of the Mission underlines Mary's role as Mother of the Church in evangelization and in mission ad gentes.

The image and the sanctuary

It is a diocesan Marian sanctuary of a strong missionary character, opened by the episcopal authority of Ziguinchor. The accessible sources do not specify the origin or the author of the headline image, so these details are not recorded.

Sponsorship and coronation

There is no formal proclamation of patronage or canonical coronation. His recognition as an official diocesan sanctuary of the diocese of Ziguinchor is recorded.

Party and devotion

There is no liturgical date of the sanctuary; devotion is often celebrated around the great Marian solemnities. According to Fides, devotion is linked to the desire for Mary to accompany the Church's evangelizing work and the healing of the wounds of the conflict in Casamance, rather than to the stories of spectacular miracles; no specific famous exvotes are documented.

Link to the Rosary

As an advocation that puts Mary at the head of mission and reconciliation, Our Lady of Mission invites us to pray the Rosary for the peace of Casamance and for evangelization, entrusting to the Mother every mystery of the life of Christ that the Church announces.