Our Lady of Klein- Mariazell

Marian vocation of Klein- Mariazell (Lower Austria)

In case of Our Lady of Klein-Mariazellthe accessible information almost always refers to the old Benedictine monasteries of Klein‐Mariazell, medieval Marian foundation located in Altenmarkt an der Triesting (Lower Austria), today parish church and regional pilgrimage place, but there are no specific sources on a different and well-defined Marian advocation under that title in the usual sanctuaries repertories or in the standard Marian literature available online. It does not, therefore, contain a legendary tradition of its own (apparition, miraculous finding of image, etc.) associated with a "image of Our Lady of Klein-Mariazell" that can be described with precision; what is documented is, rather, the Marian character of the monastery and its church.

Main data

Origin and history

In case of Our Lady of Klein-Mariazellthe accessible information almost always refers to the old Benedictine monasteries of Klein‐Mariazell, medieval Marian foundation located in Altenmarkt an der Triesting (Lower Austria), today parish church and regional pilgrimage place, but there are no specific sources on a different and well-defined Marian advocation under that title in the usual sanctuaries repertories or in the standard Marian literature available online. It does not, therefore, contain a legendary tradition of its own (apparition, miraculous finding of image, etc.) associated with a "image of Our Lady of Klein-Mariazell" that can be described with precision; what is documented is, rather, the Marian character of the monastery and its church.

On the plane documented historythe monastery of Klein-Mariazell was a medieval Benedictine monasteries founded in the 12th century in the Triesting Valley (Triestingtal), in the current Lower Austria, with a clear Marian dedication (as indicated by the name Mariazell, "cell of Mary," parallel to the most famous shrine of Mariazell in Styria). After the Napoleonic suppression and the Josefinist reforms that affected many monasteries, Klein-Mariazell lost his monastic character, leaving the church as a parish temple and place of regional pilgrimage; in recent decades it has been restored and presented again as ancient abbey and church of pilgrimage of Klein-Mariazell, within the corresponding diocese of Lower Austria. However, no documented data have been found on an official declaration as a Marian sanctuary of national or above-diocesan rank or on a specific Marian advocation other than the generic dedication to the Virgin.

The image and the sanctuary

It does not contain, in the accessible documentation, a concrete, unique and famous Marian image (as a miraculous size or renowned icon) officially designated as "Our Lady of Klein-Mariazell," with precise description of material, date, author or style. It is reasonable to assume, by analogy with other Central European Marian Benedictine monasteries of the 12th century, the original presence of an image of the Virgin in wood size or altar painting, but this is only a general inference and no consta with specific data for Klein-Mariazell.

The sanctuary is the ancient abbey and pilgrimage church of Klein-Mariazell, en Altenmarkt at Triesting (Baja Austria, Austria). Its origin is Benedictine and medieval, and the present church corresponds to the architectural transformations of the Central European monasteries (Romanesque and / or Gothic phases, with possible subsequent remodeling in Baroque style), but the sources consulted do not provide a detailed and secure description of their plant, predominant style or concrete artistic elements. No consta that the church of Klein-Mariazell has been elevated to the range of minor basilicaor having an official title of National sanctuary; this is a temple of ancient Benedictine abbeyof a Marian character and a pilgrim tradition in the Triestingtal.

Sponsorship and coronation

As regards patronazgono official documents or references have been found that declare Our Lady of Klein-Mariazell as the principal patron of a municipality, diocese or region with an explicit decree. It is reasonable to say that the Virgin, under the Marian dedication of the church of Klein-Mariazell, is venerated as protection of the Triestingtal and the local Christian community, but no consta a canonically proclaimed patronage that can be cited with precision (for example, principal patron of Altenmarkt an der Triesting or of the diocese).

On the canonical coronation, in the repertory of Marian coronations and in the accessible Austrian Marian sources there is no mention of a canonical coronation of an image under the title of Our Lady of Klein-Mariazell or of the main image of his church. Therefore, following the requested criterion:

There is no documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

The main feast associated with this advocation is celebrated the September 8, in line with the liturgical feast of the birth of the Virgin Maryvery widespread in Centroeuropa and particularly linked to churches and monasteries of Marian dedication. This coincidence reinforces the Marian character of the ancient monastery and explains that September 8 is the day of the greatest solemnity for Our Lady venerated in Klein-Mariazell.

Klein-Mariazell is known at the local level as place of pilgrimage of the Triestingtal; devotion is expressed mainly in the participation in the solemn mass, processions and parish or local pilgrimages, especially around 8 September. No statistical data of inflow (approximate number of pilgrims per year) or detailed descriptions of unique popular rites (multititling, specific novies or typical promises) have been found, beyond the general indication that it is a regional pilgrimage centre. There is no tradition of great international pilgrimages as in the major shrine of Mariazell (Styria), which is the main Marian centre of Austria.

Link to the Rosary

The available sources do not expressly mention a of the Rosary, un rosario perpet or a specific rosarian devotion formally linked to Our Lady of Klein-Mariazell. Therefore, no consta a historical-documentary link between this advocation and a distinct, rosarian practice.

However, from the perspective of the Marian spirituality of the Church, the Rosary It has been consolidated as one of the privileged ways of contemplating Christ with the eyes of Mary and of accompanying the life of the Marian shrines. Where the Virgin is honored as Mother and Protector, the prayer of the Rosary spontaneously becomes a school of faith: the mysteries of Christ's life are meditated, the maternal intercession of Mary is called upon, and the Christian communities that pilgrim their sanctuaries are strengthened. Also in Klein-Mariazell, although specific descriptions are missing, it can be said in theological and pastoral key that the Rosary offers a simple and profound way to join the the bliss of Mary in her birth (8 September) and to live, together with her, the mystery of the incarnation and of the redemption that is in every true Marian devotion.