Our Lady of Africa watches over Algeria

On a hill over Algiers (Algeria), in the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, above there is this inscription above the main altar: "Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for Muslims." This invocation has never been erased. Both Muslims and Christians come here to pray to Mary and bring her flowers.

We can also see a quote from Saint Augustine (who was an Algerian – d. 430), written in French, Arabic and Kabyle: "Brotherly love comes from God and is God himself." A very strong statement in this country where some kill in the name of Allah!

In 1846, there was only a small Marian shrine in Algiers, which was an artificial grotto dedicated to "Our Lady of the Ravine," very quickly adorned with ex-votos. In 1857 there was a temporary shrine, with a beautiful Black Madonna, offered by the Ladies of the Sacred Heart from Lyons in May 1840, to the first bishop of Algiers.

Cardinal Lavigerie, who became archbishop of Algiers, built the large present-day basilica, Notre-Dame d'Afrique (Our Lady of Africa), completed in 1872. He also founded in Algiers the congregations of the White* Fathers and the White* Sisters (*based on the habit they wore). The pilgrimage to Our Lady of Africa was relocated to Théoule-sur-Mer (Maritime Alps, France) with a replica of the statue that remained in Algiers.

Source: Algiers from 1830 to 1962 by Guy Tudury, editions Lacour Collection Rediviva 1994.