Anecdotes about the Virgin Mary

Mary, Tabernacle of the Most High, by the seven springs

Ngome (South Africa) (1955-1971)

En Ngome, in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, within the diocese of Eshowe, there is a unique Marian sanctuary: «María, Tabernáculo del Altísimo». His history is linked to a religious missionary of German origin, the hermana Reinolda Maywhose life and work in the region are in the diocesan sources and in the chronicles of the missionary Benedictines.

Enter 1955 y 1971 - the exact dates vary in the various summaries, but the strip is well established -, Sister Reinolda claimed to have received several apparitions from the Virgin Mary in a place near Ngome, in a place marked by seven sources de agua. La Señora se habría presentado con ese título, «Tabernáculo del Altísimo», subrayando la presencia eucarística de Cristo y llamando a la conversión, la oración y la penitencia, y pidiendo que se levantara allí una capilla.

For years the ecclesiastical authorities worked with caution, and sister Reinolda lived in incomprehension and silence. In time the diocese recognized the pastoral importance of the place and allowed it to develop as a sanctuary, with pilgrimages, confession and Eucharistic worship. It should be noted that no equivalent necestarily a un reconocimiento oficial de apariciones del tipo de Lourdes o Fátima: los textos diocesanos suelen hablar de Ngome como «lugar de gracia», evitando la fórmula de «apariciones aprobadas».

The existence of sister Reinolda, the existence of the sanctuary recognized in the diocese, the use of the Marian title and the physical presence of the seven sources are documented. The detailed content of the apparitions, by their nature, belongs to the field of faith. They collect testimonies of the sick who, after drinking or using water and approaching confession, declared amazing improvements or deep comfort; there is therefore a fame of graces, but no consta a canonical process of miracles. Ngome's spirituality revolves first and foremost around the Eucharist, Mass and confession; the Rosary is recommended and prayed in a structural way on pilgrimages, as a way to join Jesus for Mary.