Nyakijoga, the Lourdes of Tanzania
Nyakijoga · Tabora Region · Tanzania
The sanctuary in the heart of Tanzania
Nyakiogia is a town in the Tabora region, in the centre of Tanzania. In the 1950s, the Combonian missionaries established a missionary centre in this place with a grotto dedicated to the Virgin, modeled on that of Lourdes. The water in the grotto was soon attributed by the local population medicinal properties, and the first pilgrims began.
The "Lourdes of Tanzania"
Over the decades, Nyakijoga became the main Marian sanctuary in Tanzania. The sanctuary attracts more than 100,000 pilgrims per yearof Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is popularly known as "the Lourdes of Tanzania" o "the Lourdes of East Africa".
The pilgrims drink the water from the spring and wash with it, reporting curations and favors attributed to the intercession of the Virgin. The ecclesiastical authorities have maintained an attitude of prudence and openness: they have not approved specific miracles, but have not prohibited devotion.
The pilgrimage of August 15
The main party is the August 15 (Assumption of Mary), when tens of thousands of pilgrims walk the last stretch of the road to the sanctuary. Those who come from afar spend the night in the nearby hills under the stars. The dawn mass of August 15, presided over by the diocesan bishop, is one of the most impressive celebrations of the Church in East Africa.
Is the advocation of the Virgin Mary of your people missing?
Si no encuentras la advocación mariana de tu ciudad o pueblo, cuéntanosla: la investigaremos para ubicarla y darla a conocer en este mapa del amor de la Madre por el mundo.
Propose an apvocation →