Maria Schutz

Postcard from Maria Schutz, Austria

The pilgrimage to Maria Schutz thanks its existence to a small well. In 1679 many people suffering from the plague found healing at the well, next to which stood a small shrine for Mary.

In 1722 a chapel was built at the site. In the same year, Mary appeared to a sick girl and told her she would be healed. In return Mary asked her to “buy two candles and offer them at Maria Schutz”. However, at the time the site was not yet known under that name. The priest in charge of the shrine came up with the name after he woke up from a dream.

Two further apparitions in the area confirmed that the name Maria Schutz was chosen by Mary herself. In English it means ‘Maria Protection’, which is very appropriate for a place where people come to ask Mary for help and protection.

Maria Schutz soon become one of Austria’s pilgrimage sites. Between 1728 and 1739 the a large pilgrimage church was built. Though the church suffered greatly in the 19th and 20th century, respectively from a fire and WWII damage, it was always restored to its former glory. It is still a popular place of pilgrimage.

The bells of Maria Schutz

Maria Taferl

Devotional image of Our Lady of Maria Taferl, a pietà venerated in Austria.

Maria Taferl is one of Austria’s most important places of pilgrimage. The baroque basilica which houses the statue was built between 1660 and 1710 and has been attracting many pilgrims since.

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1000s of greetings

Sei gegrüsst Vieltausendmal

Traditional pilgrimage song from the Alp region, sung by pilgrims before returning home after a visit to one of Mary's shrines.

The song offers Mary a last farewell and 'many thousands of greetings'.

Obama and Mary

During her vacation in Spain in August, US First Lady Michelle Obama revealed that her husband President Barack Obama always carries a picture of Mary Help of Christians in his wallet.

According to the parish priest of Santa Maria la Mayor in Ronda, Michelle told him "her husband always carries with him a photograph with an image of Mary Help of Christians, to whom, those present reported, the first family of the United States has great devotion".

Devotion to Mary under the title Help of Christians goes back to the European victory over the Turkish forces at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

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Devout

Holy mother of Christ most dear,
receive our devout hymn and praise.

- Inviolata

Maria Plain

Old postcard of the baroque pilgrimage church of Maria Plain outside Salzburg, Austria.

The church was built to house a miraculous picture of Mary and still attracts many pilgrims from Salzburg and surrounding areas. The building was constructed between 1671 and 1674 by the architect Giovanni Antonio Dario.

Listen to the bells of Maria Plain

Virgen de Belen

Vintage postcard of Our Lady of Belen (Bethlehem) in Cusco, Peru.

An ancient legend tells us that this image of Mary appeared one day floating on the sea by the Peruvian coast, near the port of San Miguel in Piura. According to the legend, the Virgin carried a note in which she requested to be taken to Cusco. There the image was placed in the church of the Holy Kings, which later became known as the church of Our Lady of Belen.

Corpus Christi in Cusco

Hour of death

It will be blessed indeed to have Mary at your side at the hour of death for she is more tender than any earthly mother. If she is there, then all will be well.

- Blessed John Henry Newman

Mantilla

Nuestra Señora de la Mantilla

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Walsingham

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, the most important shrine of Mary in England.

The original shrine and image of Walsingham were destroyed after the Reformation. However, in the early 20th century the cult was revived and the Norfolk village once again became a place of pilgrimage for both Anglo and Roman Catholics.

Virtual visit

Mariastein

Miraculous image of Mariastein, an important place of pilgrimage for Swiss Catholics.

Mariastein has been a place of pilgrimage since the late 14th century. The shrine and its image are looked after by the Benedictine monks, who built a monastery next to the basilica.



The bells of Mariastein

Maria Kirchental

Greetings from Maria Kirchental!

Postcard from Maria Kirchental, a pilgrimage church near Salzburg in Austria.

The pilgrimage to the church is centred around a gothic Madonna from 1400. The baroque building was constructed between 1694 and 1701. It was designed by the Austrian architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.

During the season of advent the church of Maria Kirchental upholds the ancient tradition of celebrating Rorate Masses in honour of Mary. The name of this Mass refers to its opening antiphon: “Rorate caeli désuper et nubes pluant justum”. Before the Second Vatican Council the Masses would take place in the early hours of the morning, but now evening celebrations are permitted also.

There is a beautiful symbolism associated with the Rorate Mass. Through the snow and cold and darkness of the early morning the faithful would travel with lanterns in their hands to the candlelit church where the Mass was celebrated. What a beautiful symbol of light concurring darkness.

Maria Kirchental website

Schutzmantel

Schutzmantelmadonna - The German word 'Schutzmantel' means protective cloak.

Images of Mary offering shelter to people under her cloak were very popular in the Middle Ages, especially in Germany. This late Medieval print shows Mary as the protector of religious orders.

Boulogne-sur-Mer

Panorama of Boulogne-sur-Mer with the church of Notre Dame

The impressive cathedral-basilica of Notre Dame towers high over the city of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. The church was built between 1827 and 1875 on the site of a medieval church. Its dome is 101 meters high.

Faithful

Virgin most faithful, pray for us.

- Litany of Loreto