Chinese Marian Advocations
Singapore has 360,000 Catholics (6.2% of the population). The Church began with the arrival of the missionary Father Laurent Marie Joseph Imbert (MEP) on December 11, 1821. In 2021, the two-hundredth anniversary of the Church was celebrated in Singapore. The archdiocese has 32 parishes and 200 pastoral centers. Archbishop William Goh became the first cardinal of Singapore in 2022, and Pope Francis visited the city in September 2024.
🌹 Wonders and anecdotes
- Father Imbert and the 12 lay founders - In 1821 Father Laurent Imbert arrived in Singapore, finding only 12 lay Christians. Years later he was martyred in Korea for not revealing the whereabouts of other missionaries.
- Iglesia de la Novena - The Church of St. Alfonso (Ninth Church) attracts thousands of devotees of all religions every year, including Hindus and Buddhists, who come to vote for Our Lady of Perpetual Relief.
- European Mary in Singapore - Unlike other Asian countries where Mary takes on local features, in Singapore the main Marian devotions are European: Fatima, Lourdes and Perpetuo Socorro. This reflects the pride for colonial heritage.
- Annual Procession of the Ninth - Every first Sunday of September since 1953, the procession in honor of the Virgin Mary attracts more than 4,000 devotees.
- El bicentenario - In 2021 Singapore celebrated 200 years of Catholic presence, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong commending the Church's contribution to education, health and social welfare.
History of Marian devotion in Singapore
The Archdiocese of Singapore has 32 parishes, some of which are very important Marian centres. The church of Our Lady of Fatima in Singapore, the chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Relief and the church of Our Lady of Lourdes are places of special Marian devotion. The Singaporean, multicultural and multilingual Catholic community celebrates May with Marian processions in which faithful from the Chinese, Indian, Malay and Filipino communities participate.
Singapore City (Central)
Catedral del Buen Pastor — Good Shepherd Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the main Catholic temple of Singapore, the seat of the archbishopric since 1847. Although dedicated to the Good Shepherd, he houses a deep and deep Marian devotion. The cathedral was built by the European and Eurasian Catholic community, and was declared a national monument in 1973.
Inside, an image of Our Lady of the Rosary is venerated, and each year it welcomes the main Marian celebrations of the archdiocese, including the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the solemnity of St. Mary the Mother of God.
"Good Shepherd, pray for us."
Iglesia de San José — St. Joseph’s Church
The Church of San José, located on Victoria Street, is a national monument of Singapore. Although dedicated to San José, the church maintains a strong Marian tradition. It was built by the Portuguese and Eurasian Catholic community, and its neoclassical façade is one of the most photographed in the central district.
Inside, an image of Our Lady of Fatima is venerated, much loved by the Portuguese-speaking Catholic community and Filipino immigrants attending Sunday Mass.
Praise for us.
Church of the Ninth - Our Lady of Perpetual Relief
The Church of St. Alfonso, popularly known as "Ninth Church," is the center of devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Relief in Singapore. The redeemers arrived in Singapore in 1935 and since then they promote this Marian devotion that attracts faithful of all religions.
Every day, hundreds of people - Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims - come to light candles and make vows to the image of the Virgin of Perpetual Relief. The ninth of Wednesday is the most crowded, with thousands of attendees. The annual procession, which has been held since 1953, brings together more than 4,000 devotees every first Sunday of September.
🙏 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
Serangoon (North)
Church of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Church of the Nativity
The Church of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Church of Nativity, is one of the oldest in Singapore and was declared a national monument in 2001. It is located in Serangoon, the historic district of the Chinese Catholic community.
This church houses the venerated image of Our Lady of Singapore, a local advocation that represents the Virgin Mary with features that reflect the cultural diversity of the city-State. It is a pilgrimage place for Chinese Catholics from Singapore and Malaysia.
"Our Lady of Singapore, pray for us.
Other Singapore claims
Explore more Marian advocations from Singapore in rezaelrosary:
Immaculate Conception of Singapore, Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Singapore
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Singapore, built in 1843 by the Portuguese missionaries, is the mother church of the Singaporean Catholicism. Its neoclassical architecture is one of the milestones of the historic district of the city.
"The Immaculate Conception of Singapore, pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes of Singapore, venerated in the church of Our Lady of Lourdes
The church of Our Lady of Lourdes of Singapore, built in 1888, is famous for its neo-Gothic architecture and its Grotto of Lourdes. It is a Marian pilgrimage center much loved by the Singaporean Catholic community.
- Our Lady of Lourdes of Singapore, pray for us.
Our Lady of Perpetual Relief of Singapore, venerated in the parish of Perpetual Relief
The church of Our Lady of Perpetual Relief in Singapore, built in 1970, serves one of the most dynamic Catholic communities in the country. The image of the Virgin of Perpetual Relief is the object of great popular devotion.
"Our Lady of the Perpetual Relief of Singapore, pray for us.
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