Our Lady, Tabernacle of the Most High

Marian Invocation of Ngome (South Africa)

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared in Ngomein the region of KwaZulu-Natal (Zululandia), to the Benedictine religious Hermana Reinolda Mayof the Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, in a series of visions between the 22 August 1955 and 2 May 1971. In these apparitions it would have been identified as "Mary, Tabernacle of the Most High" and would have asked for the construction of a sanctuary in that place for the worship of his Son in the Eucharist. Devotion underlines Mary as "Ark of the New Covenant" and "living custody" of Christ.

Main data

Origin and history

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared in Ngomein the region of KwaZulu-Natal (Zululandia), to the Benedictine religious Hermana Reinolda Mayof the Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, in a series of visions between the 22 August 1955 and 2 May 1971. In these apparitions it would have been identified as "Mary, Tabernacle of the Most High" and would have asked for the construction of a sanctuary in that place for the worship of his Son in the Eucharist. Devotion underlines Mary as "Ark of the New Covenant" and "living custody" of Christ.

On the documented historical plane, it is found that Sister Reinolda May lived and worked on the Ngome mission, belonging to the diócesis de Eshoweand who claimed to have received 10 visions for the period indicated. Initially, the local bishop did not support the spread of devotion, so that the cult developed discreetly. However, from the 1990s the place was officially recognized by the diocese as “lugar de oración”and began to organize diocesan pilgrimages, eventually becoming one of the most frequent Marian shrines in southern Africa. Sister Reinolda died. 1 April 1981, data collected from missionary sources linked to the diocese.

The image and the sanctuary

The advocation is venerated in the Santuario Mariano de Ngome (Ngome Marian Shrine), dedicated to Our Lady, Tabernacle of the Most Highlocated in Ngome, in the heart of the Zulu region, within the Catholic diocese of Eshowe. The sources describe the sanctuary as a place of Marian prayer and pilgrimage that has gradually grown in infrastructure to host faithful, with chapel, spaces for Eucharistic veneration and outdoor areas for prayer and prayer of the Rosary. It does not know that the temple has the title of minor basilicaor that it has been declared National sanctuary; is described as a diocesan Marian sanctuary or simply "place of prayer" recognized by the diocese.

As for the image, the available sources focus mainly on the description of the visions: Mary would have shown herself linked to the Eucharistwith strong emphasis on the worship of the Most Holy and the consecration to his Immaculate Heart. The request to build a sanctuary "for all to come to worship my Son" is one of the central motives. The author, material or the exact iconography of a specific headline image (painting or sculpture) linked to the sanctuary, beyond devotional representations spread locally; therefore, no consta with precision an official and complete description of the image.

Sponsorship and coronation

The Shrine of Ngome is cited among the main Marian shrines of South Africawhere Mary is venerated with the title of "Mary, Tabernacle of the Most High". It is a centre of pilgrimage of reference especially for the faithful of the diócesis de Eshowe and the KwaZulu-Natal region, and its devotional influence has spread more widely in South Africa and other African countries. There is no specific decree declaring it the principal patron of a city or of the entire South African nation; at the national level, the patron of the Church in South Africa is Mary Queen Asunta to Heaven, proclaimed in 1952.

In the documentation consulted does not contain a documented canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady, Tabernacle of the Most High in Ngome, neither by Pontifical Decree nor by delegation of competent ecclesiastical authority.

Party and devotion

The general sources on the Ngome shrine do not clearly specify a Fecha liturgica propia universally recognized for "Our Lady, Tabernacle of the Most High"; therefore, no consta with certainty the date of an official feast of this advocation in the general calendar. There may be local celebrations of the diocese or the sanctuary, but they are not clearly documented in the sources consulted.

As for devotion, the sanctuary of Ngome is described as one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in South Africawith pilgrims from various races and origins, especially significant in the historical context of apartheid and subsequent reconciliation. The messages attributed to the Virgin insist on the prayer, la Eucharistic adoration y la consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; many pilgrims refer spiritual graces, conversions and some cures. The place has also become a sign of spiritual unity among faithful of different cultures, underlining the universal dimension of Mary as Mother of the Church. The most specific devotional features include the pilgrimage on foot or in organized groups, the celebration of the Eucharist, the worship of the Most Holy and the common prayer of Marian prayers.

Link to the Rosary

The sources on Ngome above all highlight the link of this advocation with the Eucharist and the worship of the Most Holy, more than an explicit and specific relationship with the Rosary. There is no particular message in the visions of Sister Reinolda that introduces a proper form of prayer of the Rosary or a special promise linked to this prayer; therefore, does not contain a specific relationship of the Rosary with this advocation beyond ordinary Marian practice.

However, in the life of the sanctuary and in groups of pilgrims, the Rosary takes a natural place as a classic Marian prayer: in Ngome, the contemplation of Mary as Tabernacle of the Most High It leads to meditating on the mysteries of Christ's life, and the Rosary offers precisely a way to contemplate Jesus with the eyes of Mary. The insistence of the messages on Eucharistic worship harmonizes with the light mysteriesincluding institution of the Eucharistand with the joyful mysteries, where the Incarnation is meditated, in which Mary is fully "the Tabernacle of the Most High." Thus, even if there is no unique and exclusive link, the Rosary is presented as a privileged way to accompany and deepen devotion to Our Lady, Tabernacle of the Most High in the sanctuary of Ngome.