Our Lady of Marijampolė

Advocación mariana de Marijampolė (Suvalkija)

In accessible and reliable sources, there are no specific historical data on a Marian title. "Nuestra Señora de Marijampolė (Mother of God of Marijampolė) ' as an image or title officially recognized at diocesan or national level in Lithuania. The literature and regular resources on Lithuanian mariology and sanctuaries clearly cite other Marian claims of the country, such as Our Lady of Šiluvabut a specific Marian advocation does not appear in a different way, linked under that title to Marijampolė.

Main data

Origin and history

In accessible and reliable sources, there are no specific historical data on a Marian title. "Nuestra Señora de Marijampolė (Mother of God of Marijampolė) ' as an image or title officially recognized at diocesan or national level in Lithuania. The literature and regular resources on Lithuanian mariology and sanctuaries clearly cite other Marian claims of the country, such as Our Lady of Šiluvabut a specific Marian advocation does not appear in a different way, linked under that title to Marijampolė.

What is attested is that the city of Marijampole the Virgin Mary (literally, "city of Mary") and is an important Marian center the presence and history of the Congregation of Marianos de la Immaculate Conception, restored by Saint George Matulaitis--Matulevičius, who lived and is strongly associated with this city. In this sense, Marijampolė's Marian devotion is real and significant, although a canonically defined advocation is not documented with the title "Our Lady of Marijampolė."

From the point of view documentedthe main Marian reference of Lithuania with canonical recognition and great national irradiation is the sanctuary of Our Lady of Šiluva, recognized as one of the great Marian pilgrimage centers of the country and crowned canonically in the 18th century. It is not, however, clear that this advocation is directly identified with Marijampolė or that there is a separate cult as "Our Lady of Marijampolė."

As regards local tradition / legend, since there are no specific sources of apparitions, miracles or foundational accounts of "Our Lady of Marijampolė," there is no distinct legendary tradition that can describe a origin similar to that of other Lithuanian claims such as Šiluva.

It can therefore be said that in Marijampolė there is a strong Marian identity linked to the city and the Marian congregation, but there is no clear documentation on an advocation with specific title and worship "Our Lady of Marijampolė" beyond that general identity.

The image and the sanctuary

In the city of Marijampole se eleva la iglesia de San Miguel Archangel, which has been elevated to the minor basilica (Basilica of San Miguel Archangel of Marijampolė). This church is closely linked to the presence of the Congregation of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception and to St. George Matulaitis--Matulevičius, a key figure of the Catholic and Marian Renaissance in Lithuania in the 20th century. However, the sources consulted do not provide a precise and differentiated description of a Marian image under the title "Our Lady of Marijampolė" enthroned there as the main icon.

It appears, in a documented form, that the Marian image (painting, icon on board, polychrome sculpture, etc.) that could receive the title "Marijampolės Dievo Motina" nor an iconography of its own (posture, attributes, distinctive signs) that singles it in front of other images of the Virgin present in Lithuania. The reference sources on Lithuanian Marian shrines describe in detail the iconography of Siluva (icon of the Virgin with the Child, very venerated, object of canonical coronation), but no specific descriptions are found for an image entitled "Our Lady of Marijampolė."

La Basilica of San Miguel Archangel of Marijampolė is therefore more like a Marian spiritual center by the presence of the Marians and the memory of St. George Matulaitis, who as a national Marian sanctuary around a concrete miraculous image, in the way of Šiluva. It is not known that the basilica has been officially declared a national or diocesan Marian sanctuary specifically under the title "Our Lady of Marijampolė."

Sponsorship and coronation

It is not found in the sources consulted that there is a Official patronage (city, municipality, diocese or nation) formally recognized under the specific title of "Our Lady of Marijampolė". The Marian dimension of the city seems to be more linked to the name of the city ("of Mary") and to the spirituality of the Marian Congregation than to a decree of patronage with its own title.

It also does not contain a documented canonical coronation of an image with this title in the Basilica of San Miguel Archangel. This contrasts, for example, with the case of Our Lady of Šiluva, whose image was canonically crowned with Pío VI and whose coronation (8 September 1786) is well documented. For "Our Lady of Marijampolė," there is no decree, no year, no name of a Pontiff or delegate.

Party and devotion

No consta una Fecha liturgica propia universally recognized for a specific feast of "Our Lady of Marijampolė." It is generally known that Marian parties, especially the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (September 8), associated with the Shrine of Šiluva and considered one of the great pilgrimage quotes of the country. It is reasonable to think that also in Marijampolė that date, and other Marian solemnities (Immaculate Conception, Asunción), are of particular importance, but there are no specific published data that attribute it to this specific advocation.

The city of Marijampolefor their connection with the Marianas and with St. George Matulaitis, it is a point of reference for pilgrims who wish to know the Marian spirituality of the congregation and the life of the saint. This devotion is especially expressed in:

– La participación en la liturgical life de la basílica de San Miguel Arcángel. – La peregrinación a lugares vinculados a san Jorge Matulaitis, cuya vida y ministerio están marcados por una profunda devoción a la Virgen María.

However, in numerical flow constants nor popular traditions clearly associated with a specific image or party under the name "Our Lady of Marijampolė" (such as processions, public vows, registered miracles, etc.).

Link to the Rosary

No documented references describing a specific and own link between an advocation entitled "Our Lady of Marijampolė" and the prayer of Rosary (for example, the Rosary's cofradies formally erected under that title, specific promises, particular indulgences, etc.). Therefore, there is no specific and officially described relationship.

However, the strong Marian identity of Marijampolė, together with the charism of the Congregation of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception and the figure of St. George Matulaitis, it is possible to state that the Rosary It is in all likelihood an important place in the daily piety of the faithful and religious associated with this centre. In the Catholic tradition, the Rosary is a school of contemplation of the mysteries of Christ with Mary and a simple and profound way to join the Virgin, whatever the local advocation.

In this way, although there is no specific "legal" or "historical" link between "Our Lady of Marijampolė" and the Rosary, the Marian life of the community who prays, celebrates and pilgrims in Marijampolė is naturally accompanied by this prayer, which helps to contemplate, together with Mary, the mysteries of the Incarnation, the Passion and Glory of Christ, the foundation of all true Marian devotion.