Marian devotion
Our Lady of Reykjavik
Reykjavik, Iceland
The Virgin Mary in the land of ice and fire, where the Catholic faith has endured despite the harsh conditions.
Landakotskirkja Cathedral
Landakotskirkja Cathedral is the most important Catholic church in Iceland. Built in the 19th century, the cathedral is the center of Catholic life in a predominantly Lutheran country.
The Virgin of the Ice
The image of Our Lady of the Ice is a wooden carving depicting the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, surrounded by glaciers and the Northern Lights. Tradition says that the Virgin appeared to an Icelandic fisherman during a terrible storm in the North Atlantic.
"The Virgin of Ice protects Icelanders on their journeys across the stormy sea."
Popular devotions
The faithful in Reykjavik flock to the cathedral to light candles for the Virgin Mary and ask for her protection. The most popular tradition is that of "wishearing the Virgin": faithful write their requests on slips of paper and place them in a special box next to the image of the Virgin.
Prayer
O Virgin of the Ice, protector of the Icelanders. You who watch over those who sail the northern seas, intercede for us before your Son Jesus. Protect the people of Iceland and guide us toward peace. Amen.
Is the advocation of the Virgin Mary of your people missing?
Si no encuentras la advocación mariana de tu ciudad o pueblo, cuéntanosla: la investigaremos para ubicarla y darla a conocer en este mapa del amor de la Madre por el mundo.
Propose an apvocation →