Our Lady of Frauenkirchen

Marian vocation of Frauenkirchen (Burgenland)

The Marian devotion of Women's churchesin the Austrian Burgenland, focuses on the Basilica of the Nativity of Mary (Basilika Mariä Geburt), an important baroque sanctuary of pilgrimage of the panonic plain.

Main data

Origin and history

The Marian devotion of Women's churchesin the Austrian Burgenland, focuses on the Basilica of the Nativity of Mary (Basilika Mariä Geburt), an important baroque sanctuary of pilgrimage of the panonic plain.

Documented history. Since the Middle Ages, Frauenkirchen has been a place of Marian devotion, historically linked to local lords and, since the 17th century, especially to the family. Esterházywhich led to the construction and beautification of the Baroque sanctuary. The current Baroque-style church was consolidated as church of pilgrimage Marian and today is recognized as one of the main pilgrimage goals of Burgenland. The invocation is directly related to the mystery of the Nativity of Maryas indicated in the official title of the temple in German: Basilika zu Marihama Geburt.

Devotional tradition and continuity. The local tradition presents Frauenkirchen as a place of ancient Marian piety over a medieval cult, later renewed and magnified in Baroque times under the patronage of the Esterhazy; however, the specific legendary details of miraculous origins or apparitions do not accurately reflect in the easily accessible sources. Therefore, beyond the historical continuity of Marian devotion and the character of a medieval sanctuary reconfigured in Baroque times, do not clearly contain precise foundational legends in the sources consulted.

The image and the sanctuary

The image. La advocación de Our Lady of Frauenkirchen, also venerated as “María on the Heath” (Mary of the plain, "Our Lady of the Plains"), is attached to the Marian image in the Basilica of the Nativity of Mary. The available sources do not describe in technical detail the size (type of image, material, style or specific iconography), so it should be noted that do not contain precise and contrasted data on the type and material of the image in the consulting sources.

The sanctuary. – Nombre oficial: Basilica of the Nativity of Mary (Basilika zu Marihama Geburt), en Frauenkirchen. – Carácter: es una church of pilgrimage mariana de gran relevancia regional, situada en el Burgenland, en plena llanura panónica. – Estilo: el templo es un Baroque building, highlighted by its monumental architecture and its configuration as a Marian sanctuary historically linked to the noble family of Esterházy.

The basilica has become the principal Marian sanctuary of Burgenlandwith a projection beyond the local level, especially for the faithful of the panonic region (Eastern Austria, Hungary and surrounding countries). The accessible sources do not explicitly indicate the date of granting the minor basilicabut they do clearly present it as "Basilika" and "pilgrimage church," which confirms its rank and recognition in the life of the Church.

Sponsorship and coronation

Patronage. La advocación de Nuestra Señora de Frauenkirchen – María on the Heath es el main Marian pilgrimage center of Burgenlandand in this sense acts in fact as a Marian reference of Land de Burgenland and the panonic plain. However, in the documentation consulted does not contain an express formal proclamation that the main patron of the Burgenland or of another specific ecclesial constituency; therefore, it can be said that its patronage is at least of a character regional and devotional, very rooted in the Burgenland.

Canon coronation. In the sources consulted (information on the basilica, devotional notes and general references) does not contain a documented canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of Frauenkirchen, no date or pontiff or delegate is indicated for an act of this nature.

Party and devotion

The main feast of this advocation is celebrated August 15the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, who in Frauenkirchen is lived as a great patron Marian feast of the sanctuary and of the region. The pilgrimages and more significant liturgical celebrations, which bring together the faithful of Burgenland and other areas of the panonic plain.

The basilica of Frauenkirchen, as church of pilgrimageduring the year, it hosts various romaneries and Marian celebrations, with special emphasis in the summer and in the great festivals of the Virgin. Although the sources consulted do not provide specific annual flow figuresthey clearly point it out as one of the most important Marian destinations in eastern Austria, which indicates a remarkable presence of pilgrims and devotees. Among the devotional features is participation in the Eucharist, the Marian processions and the prayers of intercession to Mary under the title of Maria on the Heath, very linked to the daily life of the peasants and inhabitants of the plain.

Link to the Rosary

The specific sources on Frauenkirchen do not expressly mention a particular association of this advocation with the prayer of the Rosary (for example, historical co-fradies of the Rosary, specific indulgences or parties of the Rosary linked to the sanctuary).

However, as in most of the major Central European Marian shrines, the Rosario is naturally part of ordinary devotional life de los peregrinos y de las celebraciones marianas: – El título de Nativity of Mary invites the joyful mysteries, especialmente la preparación y comienzo de la vida de la Virgen en el plan de Dios. – La ubicación de Frauenkirchen en la llanura panónica y su carácter de santuario de peregrinación favorecen la práctica del Rosario como simple, repetitive and contemplative prayerwhich accompanies the Marian walks and processions.

This way, though on the particular legal link between the advocation "Our Lady of Frauenkirchen - Mary auf der Heide" and a particular fellowship or title of the Rosary, the prayer of the Holy Rosary It is understood as a privileged way to accompany devotion to Mary in this sanctuary: it allows us to meditate, together with her, on the mysteries of Christ, by inserting the life of the faithful of Burgenland and the panonic plain into the rhythm of salvation that the Church contemplates day by day.