In Asia, the Virgin Mary transcends religious boundaries

Though it is generally believed that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India, scholars have acknowledged that the first Europeans to arrive in India were actually Italian Franciscan missionaries, who arrived at Quilon (Kollam) on the Kerala coast in the early 13th century. However, they at least partially, traveled through land.

The minor friars were probably the most daring missionaries and explorers of the 13th century in the heart of Asia: China and India. In the middle of the 15th century, the Franciscans established their province of the Mother of God with their provincial house at Daugim, in Goa.

The missionaries who disembarked in Asia brought with them many images and statues of the Virgin Mary. They promoted devotion to Our Lady as they were all fervent devotees of different Marian cults: the Franciscans and Jesuits of the Immaculate Conception, the Dominicans of the Virgin of the Rosary. So, Mary’s image would exert a remarkable influence in Asia during the 16th century and play a central role in the Church’s mission to evangelize and civilize the masses during the following centuries.

Not only religious orders were fervent followers of Mary, but Portuguese sailors also brought images of the Our Lady during their voyages. The devotion to Our Lady of Navigators, also known as Our Lady of Seafarers, Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, started in the 15th century by Europeans, especially the Portuguese navigators, praying for a safe return to their homes. They saw the Virgin Mary as their protector during storms and other hazards. This title given to the Virgin Mary is a widespread devotion in South America, especially in Portuguese colonies. Several churches in Brazil are dedicated to Our Lady of Navigators.

The most important sanctuary dedicated to Mary in South India is that of Our Lady of Health in Velankanni. According to the legend, a Portuguese ship caught in a storm at sea was saved by invoking the help of Mary. The church of Our Lady of Health was built in Velankanni to fulfill the vow made by the sailors.

Our Lady of the Conception became the patron saint of the kingdom of Portugal in 1640. She was the nation’s true sovereign. Her cult, under the above designation, was given a boost by the Council of Trent. Devotion to Our Lady of Conception thus grew throughout the 18th century giving rise to the fabrication of a large number of wooden and ivory images.

After the Portuguese lost their commercial supremacy in the East, the British East India Company took over. The Portuguese left, but the Virgin Mary stayed, adapted and transformed. She wore different dresses and changed her look, she appeared in different places, in the forest (Our Lady of Lavang), in caves (Goa Maria Sendangsono, Goa Maria Kerep), and on the beach (Our Lady of Larantuka ). She intervened, helping in disastrous situations like plagues, famine (Our Lady of Health, Bangalore), and shipwrecks (Our Lady of Bandel, Our Lady of Chindaaththirai).

She is not only venerated in South India and Southeast Asia but also in China, Japan, the Philippines, and pilgrims travel a long way in search of the Virgin Mary's blessings in all her sanctuaries around Asia.

A characteristic feature of popular devotion to the Virgin Mary in Asia is that it tends to transcend religious affiliations and cultures and she is venerated by Hindus, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, and Taoist devotees. She transcends religious boundaries.

It seems paradoxical that in an intra-Christian setting, Mary has always been viewed as an obstacle to the mutual understanding between Catholics and Protestants, whereas in many inter-religious milieus, Mary tends to be very much a unifying symbol. Mary stands as an inter-religious bridge that brings together the most diverse devotees.

Patrizia Granziera

Adapted from www.ucanews.com