Marian Advocations of Senegal
In a country of Muslim majority, the Marian Catholic devotion flourishes mainly on the coastal strip, with two living spotlights: the great national sanctuary of Popenguin and the mission sanctuary in Ziguinchor.
Marian Wonders and Anecdotes of Senegal
- Every Pentecost Monday, thousands of young people walk to Our Lady of the Liberation of Popenguin, the country's main Marian focus.
- The shrine of Our Lady of Mission, opened in Ziguinchor in December 2010, was born as a sign of hope and reconciliation for the Casamance wounded by years of conflict.
Diocese of Ziguinchor (Casamance)
History of Marian devotion in Senegal
The devotion to the Virgin Mary in Senegal, 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 Senegal, 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 Senegal has a unique exponent in the shrine of Our Lady of Delivrance in Popenguin, 70 km from Dakar. This sanctuary, built on a hill in 1888, is the most important Catholic pilgrimage place in Senegal. Every year, on Pentecost Monday, thousands of pilgrims from all over West Africa come to Popenguine to pray to the Virgin of Delivrance. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Saint- Louis and the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary of Thiès also stand out.
Marian Advocations of Senegal
Our Lady of Mission
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.
- Our Lady of Mission, pray for us.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Victories
It is the cathedral of the archdiocese of Dakar, dedicated to Our Lady of the Victories (Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Victoires), in the city of Dakar (Senegal).
"Our Lady, Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Liberation of Popenguin
Popenguine (also written Poponguine) is a small coastal town of about 2,500 inhabitants, located about 60 km south of Dakar, in the Petite Côte Senegalese.
"Our Lady of the Liberation of Popenguin, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Delivrance of Popenguin, national sanctuary of Senegal
The shrine of Our Lady of Delivrance in Popenguin was founded in 1888 by Father François- Marie Duboin, a spiritist missionary. Built on a hill overlooking the Atlantic, it is the most important Marian pilgrimage center in French-speaking West Africa.
"Our Lady of the Delivrance of Popenguin, pray for us.
Immaculate Conception of Saint- Louis, venerated in the Cathedral of Saint- Louis
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Saint- Louis, built in 1828, is one of the oldest churches in West Africa. Its French colonial architecture houses an image of the Immaculate which has presided over the life of the Senegalese Catholic community for almost two centuries.
"Immaculate Conception of Saint- Louis, pray for us."
Our Lady of the Rosary of Thiès, venerated in the parish of Thiès
The parish of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Thiès, an important railway city of Senegal, was founded by the espionan missionaries. The image of the Virgin of the Rosary is the object of great devotion among the faithful of the region of Thiès.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of Thiès, pray for us.
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