Our Lady of Fátima de Luodong

Marian vocation of Luodong (Lotung) (Yilan)

La devoción a Our Lady of Fatima born from the Marian apparitions of 1917 in Fatima (Portugal), recognized by the Church, in which the Virgin Mary manifested herself to the pastoralists Lucía, Francisco and Jacinta, insisting on the conversion, penance and prayer of the Rosary. From these apparitions, the advocation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima It spread throughout the world, and in many dioceses temples and shrines were raised under this title.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción a Our Lady of Fatima born from the Marian apparitions of 1917 in Fatima (Portugal), recognized by the Church, in which the Virgin Mary manifested herself to the pastoralists Lucía, Francisco and Jacinta, insisting on the conversion, penance and prayer of the Rosary. From these apparitions, the advocation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima It spread throughout the world, and in many dioceses temples and shrines were raised under this title.

As regards Luodong (Lotung), Yilan County, Taiwanno specific and verifiable historical data on the date of the beginning of local devotion, the canonical erection of the sanctuary, or the concrete responsible for its foundation (diocese, religious congregation, bishop, etc.) have been found in the sources consulted and open access. There is therefore no documented chronology from the origin of Our Lady of Fatima's sanctuary in Luodong.

Also, in available sources, traditional stories or legends of this advocation have not been located in Luodong (for example, local apparitions, extraordinary signs or specific oral stories of the area); therefore, in this case does not contain a differentiated local tradition or legend of universal devotion to Fatima.

The image and the sanctuary

The accessible documentation does not provide an official and detailed description of the concrete image of Our Lady of Fatima venerated in Luodong: the material (wood, plaster, resin, etc.), the exact size and particular iconographic features of the local image are not safely recorded. In general, the images of Our Lady of Fatima reproduce the iconography spread from Portugal: Mary standing, dressed in white, also white or light, rosary in her hands and sometimes the Immaculate Heart visible in her chest; however, applying these traits to the image of Luodong would be a inferencia general and not a documented description of the local original. Therefore, does not contain a specific and documented iconographic description of the image of Luodong.

Concerning sanctuary or templeIt is known that in many parts of the world devotion to Fatima is embodied in parish churches, diocesan shrines or chapels dedicated to the Virgin of Fatima, often linked to the pastoral of the Rosary. However, in the specific case of Our Lady of Fátima de Luodong (Lotung) no se han hallado, en fuentes verificables, datos claros sobre: – nombre oficial completo del templo (por ejemplo, si se denomina formalmente “Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Fátima de Luodong” o es una parroquia bajo ese título), – si posee el rango de minor basilica, National sanctuary o diocesan sanctuary, – ni detalles arquitectónicos relevantes (estilo, fecha de construcción, ampliaciones, etc.).

As a result, it can only be said with certainty that this is a place of Latin catholic ritelocated in Luodong, Yilan County, dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima; but no consta additional official information on the canon status of the temple and its architectural characteristics.

Sponsorship and coronation

No express mention of a Official patronage of Our Lady of Fatima of Luodong over the city of Luodong, Yilan County, a specific diocese or the whole of Taiwan. Therefore, no consta a formal decree or proclamation of specific patronage related to this advocation in Luodong.

Similarly, there is no documented reference to a canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of Fatima venerated in Luodong. Since canonical coronation requires an express decree and is usually recorded in diocesan archives or in the ecclesial press, the absence of verifiable data makes it possible to state that does not contain a documented canonical coronation for this advocation in Luodong.

Party and devotion

The devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, throughout the world, especially celebrates the dates of 13 May (first apparition of 1917) and 13 October (last apparition and "miracle of the sun"), with processions, solemn masses and prayer of the Rosary. In the case of Luodong, it is indicated that the sanctuary celebrates as main parties precisely the 13 May y el 13 October, in line with the devotional calendar of Fatima.

It is reasonable to assume, by analogy with other shrines of Fatima, that they are organized on those dates. liturgical celebrations, processions with the image and prayer vigil, pero las fuentes disponibles no aportan datos concretos sobre: – el número de peregrinos, – la procedencia de los fieles (locales, de otras partes de Taiwán o del extranjero), – ni sobre tradiciones populares específicas (por ejemplo, procesiones con velas, promesas, novenas propias, etc.).

Therefore, it can only be said with certainty that the shrine of Luodong, as the center of Marian devotion, honors Our Lady of Fatima on the traditional dates of May 13 and October 13, within the Latin Roman rite; no detailed figures of influx or local customs.

Link to the Rosary

La advocación de Our Lady of Fatima is deeply linked to Rosaryto the point that the full title recognized by the Church is "Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima"; in the apparitions of 1917 the Virgin insisted on the daily prayer of the Rosary for peace and conversion. For this reason, every Marian sanctuary linked to Fatima, also in Asia, is usually characterized as a center for the spread of the Rosary and Marian catechesis.

In the specific case of Our Lady of Fátima de Luodong, confirmed that are a center of devotion to the Rosary in northeastern Taiwan, lo cual armoniza con la espiritualidad propia de Fátima, centrada en: – el prayer of the Rosary, – la conversión del corazón, – la reparación por los pecados y la oración por la paz.

Although there is no official published program (Rosario schedules, co-fradies, Rosario leagues, etc.), it can be theologically stated that the Rosary is the natural axis of spirituality in a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. There, the Rosary becomes a school of contemplation of the mysteries of Christ next to Mary, in communion with the universal Church, and a spiritual bridge that unites the faithful of Taiwan with the message of Fatima and the praying tradition of the Church on all continents.