Une Minute avec Marie
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On Sunday, November 10, 2024, Togo celebrated the golden jubilee of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lake Togo, Mother of Mercy, in Togoville.
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Lake, located in Togoville, is an emblematic spiritual place dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title of “Our Lady of the Lake, Mother of Mercy”. The name Mother of Mercy reflects one of the most important aspects of Marian devotion: compassion and forgiveness. Pilgrims often come to ask for Mary's mercy in times of personal difficulty, suffering, or seeking redemption. Mary is seen as a benevolent mother, always ready to listen to the prayers of her children and grant them her mercy.
The shrine has been an important pilgrimage site for the Catholic faithful and a landmark in the country's religious and cultural life since 1973, when a woman reported an apparition of the Virgin Mary near Lake Togo.
This apparition, recognized by the Church, strengthened the faith of the inhabitants of Togoville and the surrounding area, and gave birth to the shrine. The statue of the Virgin Mary installed on the site recalls this miraculous event.
The shrine is not only a place of Marian devotion, but also a symbol of unity for the Togolese people. It illustrates the country's rich religious and cultural heritage, while attracting international visitors.