Our Lady of Aglon

Marian Advocation of Aglona (Latgale)

La devoción de Our Lady of Aglon is linked to the main Catholic sanctuary of Latvia, in the region of Latgale, where the local tradition has since ancient place of special sacrality, associated with a spring and memories of pre-Christian veneration. The tradition also a Marian apparition dated the August 15, 1798, referred to by a woman of the place; this vision is part of the devotional memory of the sanctuary, but it is not a fully verifiable data of documentary history.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción de Our Lady of Aglon is linked to the main Catholic sanctuary of Latvia, in the region of Latgale, where the local tradition has since ancient place of special sacrality, associated with a spring and memories of pre-Christian veneration. The tradition also a Marian apparition dated the August 15, 1798, referred to by a woman of the place; this vision is part of the devotional memory of the sanctuary, but it is not a fully verifiable data of documentary history.

La documented history from the sanctuary begins with the Dominicans, who raised a first church of wood in 1699 and a monastery the following year. Both buildings were lost in the fire of 1766. The current church, factory of masonry and Italian baroque style, began in 1768 y se concluyó en 1780; was dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and consecrated in 1800 by Bishop Benislavski. The Basilica is today the most important Catholic center in the country and one of the most significant shrines in Latvia.

The image and the sanctuary

At the main altar one will venerate a very old image of the Virgin with the Child, considered Milanese icon and described as type Hodighitria. The image is kept in an oak frame, it is dated in early 17th century and, according to the historical tradition collected, it was probably brought from Lithuania by the Dominicans; its connection to the icon of the Virgin of Trakai is mentioned as the most likely explanation of its origin. The image is usually hidden behind a panel and is shown only on special occasions.

The official temple is the Roman Catholic Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Aglona. It was recognized as minor basilica by John Paul II at 1980and is presented as the main Roman Catholic sanctuary of Latvia and one of the international sanctuaries recognized by the Holy See. The basilica is found in Aglona, Latgale, Letoniaand is the great pilgrimage center of the country.

Sponsorship and coronation

The patronage of this advocation is National, as the Basilica of Aglona is the main Catholic sanctuary of Lethargy and the great Marian pilgrimage center of the country. It also exercises a de facto religious centrality for the region of Latgale.

About canonical coronation, does not contain a documented canonical coronation in the sources consulted. The church's elevation to the minor basilica by John Paul II at 1980.

Party and devotion

The main party is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, el August 15. This date brings together a multitude of pilgrims each year; the sources consulted mention an influx of over a hundred thousand faithful, and other references even speak of much higher figures in certain years. The pilgrimage of August 15 is the most characteristic devotional feature of the sanctuary.

The popular piety of Aglona is linked to the veneration of the miraculous image, to the memory of the waters or springs considered healthy and to the local tradition of the Marian apparition. The visits of San Juan Pablo II en 1993 y del Pope Francis in 2018 They strengthened the international projection of the sanctuary.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not document an exclusive or unique link of this advocation with a specific practice of the Rosary other than general Marian devotion. However, as a Marian sanctuary focused on the Assumption and contemplation of Mary as the Mother of Christ, Aglona is naturally integrated into the spirituality of the Rosary, which leads to meditating on the mysteries of Jesus' life with Mary and to praying in the key of pilgrimage, intercession and praise.