Our Lady of the Snow of Japan - The Sanctuary of Mary in the Mountains of Nagasaki
In the region of Nagasaki, where the hidden Christians kept their faith alive for centuries, there is a special devotion to Our Lady of the Snow, an advocation linked to the Basilica of St. Mary of Nagasaki and the kakure kirishitan.
🌹 Wonders and anecdotes
- The basilica of the 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki (Ōura) is dedicated to Mary and was built by French missionaries in 1864.
- The kakure kirishitan (hidden Christians) kept their devotion to Mary secret for more than 200 years, using hidden statues and prayers.
- The name "Snow" evokes Mary's protection over persecuted Christians, as snow covers and protects the earth.
- Nagasaki was raised to the diocese in 1885 and its cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
Our Lady of the Snow of Japan
The devotion to Our Lady of the Snow in Japan is linked to the history of Nagasaki's hidden Christians. After the opening of Japan in the 19th century, foreign missionaries found entire communities that had preserved their Marian faith in secret, praying the rosary with daily camouflaged objects.
🙏 Our Lady of the Snows, pray for us.
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