The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes of Bobo- Dioulasso

Bobo-Dioulasso · Burkina Faso · The Burkinese West Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes of Bobo- Dioulasso, the second city of Burkina Faso, is the home of the country's oldest diocese. Built by the white missionaries (White Fathers), it is a testimony to the evangelization of the Western Sahel.

Bobo-Dioulasso: the second capital

Bobo-Dioulasso is the second city of Burkina Faso, a commercial and cultural centre located in the west of the country, in the Hauts-Bassains region. The city has a diverse population: bobo, dioula, Fulani and mossi live together in an urban area that is at the same time modern and traditional.

The White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa, founded by Cardinal Lavigerie) established the mission of Bobo-Dioulasso in the late 19th century. The cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, was built in the center of the city, near the large market.

Marian devotion in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a Muslim majority country (~ 60%) with a significant Catholic minority (~ 15%). Marian devotion is strong among Burkinese Catholics: Our Lady of Lourdes's vocation is especially popular, probably because the Grotto of Lourdes (France) was the model that the missionaries transplanted to Africa.

The diocesan pilgrimages, the Marian prayer groups and the co-fradies of the Rosary are the concrete expression of this devotion. The Virgin Mary is invoked as a protector of families, healer of the sick and comfort of the afflicted.

The Sahel: land of contrasts

The Burkinese Sahel is a land of contrasts: droughts, famine, terrorism and poverty coexist with an extraordinary spiritual vitality. The Cathedral of Bobo-Dioulasso is a refuge in the midst of the crisis: the faithful come to pray for peace, rain and protection.