Our Lady of Mariasthein

Marian title of Metzerlen- Mariastein (Soleura)

According to the tradition local, the origin of the sanctuary is linked to a protection miracle: a child (some stories simply speak of a "young man") fell from the rock to the valley and was saved from death by the intercession of the Virgin Mary. This legend, which is generic in the Middle Ages, explains the name Maria im Stein / Mariastein ("Mary on the rock" or "Mary of the Stone") and the birth of the place of pilgrimage around the grotto. The numerous plates of thanks placed by the faithful over the centuries are understood in continuity with this memory of maternal protection.

Main data

Origin and history

According to the tradition local, the origin of the sanctuary is linked to a protection miracle: a child (some stories simply speak of a "young man") fell from the rock to the valley and was saved from death by the intercession of the Virgin Mary. This legend, which is generic in the Middle Ages, explains the name Maria im Stein / Mariastein ("Mary on the rock" or "Mary of the Stone") and the birth of the place of pilgrimage around the grotto. The numerous plates of thanks placed by the faithful over the centuries are understood in continuity with this memory of maternal protection.

As for the documented history, various sources point out that the Marian pilgrimage place of Mariasthein already existed at least from the 14th century, consolidating over the following centuries. In 1648, los Benedictine monks from Beinwil they officially took over the sanctuary and began the construction of a monastery and a great church of pilgrimage, giving rise to the present Benedictine abbey of Mariastein. The monastic set and the basilica were set up as well as religious center regional and the main Marian sanctuary of the Diocese of Basel.

Today, Mariasthein is in the commune of Meterlen-Mariasteinin the district of Dorneck, canton of Soloura, and remains an important focus of pilgrimage and religious tourism, with a devotional tradition of more than 600 years.

The image and the sanctuary

In the heart of the sanctuary, in a underground chapel excavated in the rock, se venera una image of the Virgin Mary designated as Mother of Mercy, object of devotion and spiritual center of pilgrimages. The sources consulted describe the image as a Marian figure to which votes and thank-you tablets are accumulated, but do not provide precise data on the material, author or exact date of the sculpture; therefore, is not certain the detailed technical description (wood / stone, concrete style, etc.).

The sanctuary is part of the whole monasterio benedictino de Mariastein (Benedictine monastery of Mariastein), recognized as Benedictine abbey and also classified as minor basilica. The main church is a basílica de tres naves, with architectural elements of late Gothic, integrated into a monastic set located on a hill at about 500 meters of altitude. The complex includes, in addition to the great church of pilgrimage, the grub underground, monastic dependencies, hospedery and agricultural spaces, in a natural environment highly valued by pilgrims.

La underground chapelwhere the Marian image is located, presents the walls covered with tablilla votivas and other offerings placed by the faithful in testimony of gratitude for favors received. This chapel on the rock is the devotional core of Our Lady of Mariasthein's advocation.

Sponsorship and coronation

Mariastein is recognized as the main Marian sanctuary of the Diocese of Basel and one of the most important pilgrimage places in Switzerland, usually cited as the second Marian sanctuary of the country, after Einsiedeln. The devotion to Our Lady of Mariasthein is especially linked to cantón de Soleura and the Basel region; however, the sources consulted do not mention a formal decree of canonical patronage on the diocese, canton or commune, so is not legally specified beyond its recognized role as the main diocesan Marian sanctuary.

On a canonical coronation of the image, the available sources (tourist, journalistic and religious dissemination about the sanctuary) no record ningún given claro ni fecha preciseor mention of a coronation approved by the Holy See. Accordingly, following the requested approach, it must be stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

Various sources point out that the tradition of pilgrimage to Mariasthein has more than six centurieswith a significant influx of faithful from not only the Basel region and the canton of Soloura, but also from other cantons and countries, including many foreign workers (for example, Galician residents in Switzerland) who come to thank them for their favors. The sanctuary receives pilgrims throughout the year and stands out as a "very visited" and "among the most famous" place in Switzerland.

The sources consulted do not clearly indicate a own and universally established liturgical date for Our Lady of Mariasthein; therefore, is not certain a specific Marian party that can be recorded with specific day and month. The liturgical life of the sanctuary revolves around the great Marian festivities of the calendar (especially the Solemnities of the Virgin), although the detail of their own dates is not documented in the open sources consulted.

In the devotional plane, they highlight:

– La pilgrimage to the grottowhere the faithful pray before the image of the Virgin and leave plates and exvotes en acción de gracias. – La asistencia a la lithurgy monástica benedictin, con oraciones desde la mañana hasta la noche, abiertas a los peregrinos. – La percepción de Mariastein como lugar de maternal protection and hazard assistance, in continuity with the legend of the child / young man saved from the fall.

It also mentions the possibility of combining the spiritual visit with walks around the natural environment, which has strengthened the character of sanctuary of pilgrimage and retreat.

Link to the Rosary

The specific sources about Mariastein consulted (monastery, tourism, press) in explicit manera documentan una of the Rosary, un Rosario's beep or another form of particular organization of devotion to the Rosary linked only to this advocation. Therefore, at the historical-documentary level, it should be indicated that does not contain a unique and own link with the prayer of the Rosary beyond the general Marian practice of the Church.

However, in a Benedictine Marian sanctuary like Mariastein, where the image of the Virgin is venerated as Mother of Mercy and place of refuge and thanks, the Rosary is naturally integrated into the life of prayer of the faithful:

– El Rosario ofrece un contemplative itinerary for the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary, in tune with the spirituality of a sanctuary that was born from an experience of protection and mercy. – Para muchos peregrinos, el Rosario es el modo habitual de express subsidiary confidence in the Virgin, intercede for specific needs and to thank favors, as reflected in the votive plates present in the grotto.

So, even if there is no "own" rosarian tradition documented, the prayer of the Rosary in fact accompanies devotion to Our S