Taiwan Marian Advocations
The Catholicism of Taiwan, rooted between indigenous peoples and immigrants, honors Mary in the Immaculate of Wanjin, the oldest temple on the island.
- Wonders and Marian Anecdotes of Taiwan
- Wanjin - the oldest Catholic temple in Taiwan (1870), of Spanish-missionary style, with a great procession of the Immaculate in December to which even non-Christian neighbours come.
- Our Lady of China - very venerated in Taiwan under the face of a Chinese empress: Marian faith made its own culture.
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History of Marian devotion in Taiwan
Christianity in Taiwan has a history that dates back to apostolic times (in the case of some Eastern traditions) or to the arrival of European missionaries in the XVII- 17th centuries. The devotion to the Virgin Mary, although practiced by a minory of the population, has a significant presence among the local Catholic communities. Mary is venerated as the Mother of God and protector of Christians in contexts where they are often minory.
The Marian advocacy in Taiwan reflects both the missionary tradition (Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Fatima, the Immaculate Conception) and the local expressions of Marian piety. The Christian communities, through their parishes, schools and social works, keep alive the devotion to Mary as the Mother of all peoples.
Taiwan Marian Advocations
Our Lady of Fátima de Luodong
The devotion to Our Lady of Fatima is born from the Marian apparitions of 1917 in Fatima (Portugal), recognized by the Church, in which the Virgin Mary manifested herself to the pastors Lucia, Francis and Jacinta, insisting on the...
"Our Lady of Fatima of Luodong, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Wanjin
The Church of the Immaculate Conception of Wanjin (also known as the church / basilica of Wanchin) is considered the oldest Catholic temple preserved in Taiwan, with the construction of the current building dated 1870.
"Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Wanjin, pray for us.
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The Virgin Mary on the island of Formosa
Taiwan, the island of Formosa, has a Catholic community that accounts for about 1.5 per cent of the population, but its historical and cultural presence is significant. Catholicism was introduced in Taiwan by Spanish Dominican missionaries in the 17th century, who established missions in the north of the island. However, modern evangelization began with the Dominican and Jesuit missionaries in the 19th century. The Church of the Immaculate Conception of Wanjin (Pingtung), built in 1870, is the oldest Catholic temple preserved in Taiwan and a magnificent example of the Spanish-missionary architecture. Its red brick façade and its Philippine baroque-style bell tower make it one of the most photographed historical buildings on the island.
The Marian devotion in Taiwan has a particularly Chinese face: Our Lady of China, represented as a Chinese empress with the Child Jesus in her arms, is the most loved advocation by Taiwanese Catholics. This image, created by the Jesuit missionary Vincent Lebbe in the 1930s, combines Marian iconography with Chinese imperial aesthetics, symbolizing that Mary is the Mother of all peoples. The shrine of Our Lady of China in the district of Sanchong, New Taipei, is an important pilgrimage center. Every year, the procession of the Immaculate Conception in Wanjin attracts thousands of faithful, including many non-Christians who venerate the Virgin as a maternal and protective figure.
Our Lady of China of Taipei
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Taipei, built in 1960 by the Dominican missionaries, is the seat of the archdiocese of Taipei. The cathedral features a modern design that incorporates Chinese architectural elements, such as the curved tile roof and red pillars. Inside, an impressive mosaic mural represents Our Lady of China, with the Virgin dressed as a Chinese empress, crowned and tuned, with the Child Jesus in her lap. The image, the work of the Taiwanese artist Chen Chi-kwan, is a perfect synthesis of the Catholic faith and Chinese culture. Every 8 December, the archdiocese celebrates a procession that runs through the streets of Taipei.
"Our Lady of China of Taipei, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Kaohsiung
In Kaohsiung, the second largest city in Taiwan and the main port in the south, the Cathedral of the Rosary is the seat of the diocese of Kaohsiung. The original cathedral was built in 1860 by the Spanish Dominican missionaries, but the current building dates back to 1963. The cathedral combines modern style with Chinese elements, like a bell tower that evokes a Buddhist pagoda. The interior houses an image of Our Lady of the Rosary carved in sandalwood, donated by the Philippine Church. The image shows Mary with the Rosary in her hands, with Asian features, dressed in a traditional Chinese qipao. The feast of October 7 is held with a procession that runs through the port of Kaohsiung.
"Our Lady of the Rosary of Kaohsiung, pray for us.
The Catholic Church in Taiwan has maintained a close relationship with the Holy See, being one of the few Asian countries that maintains full diplomatic relations with the Vatican. The archdiocese of Taipéi, with its 300,000 faithful, has an important educational and social work. The devotion to Our Lady of China, an advocation that presents Mary as Chinese empress, is a unique expression of inculturation of the Marian faith. This image, created by the Belgian missionary Vincent Lebbe, shows the Virgin in Chinese imperial garments, sitting on a throne of dragons, with the Child Jesus in her lap, blessing the Chinese people.
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