Our Lady of Europe is one of the titles of Mary, mother of Jesus.
"Devotion to Our Lady of Europe started over 700 years ago (1309), when ... the Castillian King Ferdinand IV, in thanksgiving,
dedicated the Continent of Europe to the care and protection of our Blessed
Lady and gave her the title OUR LADY OF EUROPE. The small mosque at Gibraltar
was converted into a Christian Chapel which houses the statue of Our Lady
of Europe. History tells us that the feast of Our Lady of Europe in Gibraltar
was celebrated on 15th August from time immemorial. In 1979 European countries
were exerting serious efforts to create greater unity in all spheres of
life,so much so, that 5th May was celebrated as Europe Day. Bishop Rapallo
petitioned Rome for the transfer of the feast day of Our Lady of Europe
to coincide with "Europe Day". Rome replied in the affirmative and since
then the Feast of Our Lady of Europe has been solemnised on May 5th. (Added to the Marian Shrines list 9-27-2011)"
Pope John Paul II:
"The reason why
successive Popes have always approved and as
far as possible have promoted devotion to
the Most Blessed Virgin, our Mother, is
clear to anyone who seriously considers he
greatness before God, whose Mother she is;
her greatness before men, whose Patroness
she has become; her sublime holiness, which
is an example and an encouragement to us her
children; and the power of her intercession
with her adorable Son, the ruler of all.
That is why, on
being asked by our reverend Brother, Edward
Rapallo, Bishop of Gibraltar, officially to
approve Our Blessed Lady as the Principal
Patroness of the Diocese of Gibraltar, under
the title of Our Lady of Europe, which is
the name by which the clergy and faithful
invoke her there with his approval, I most
gladly accede to this request, for I myself
am very keen to promote our heavenly
Mother’s honour.
I therefore
approve what the Sacred Congregation for the
Evangelisation of People had decided in this
connection, and I declare that the Blessed
Virgin, the Mother of Christ, be held to be
the Principal Patroness of the Diocese of
Gibraltar and be invoked with the title ‘Our
Lady of Europe’, towards whom the faithful
are drawn with very special devotion.
Her patronage
under this title will enjoy all the rights
and privileges envisaged by liturgical law,
all things to the contrary notwithstanding.I avail myself to this opportunity
to invoke the Divine Mother and ask her
kindly to protect the people whose welfare
is her very special concern.
Given at Rome, at
St. Peter’s, under the Ring of the
Fisherman, on the 31st
May in the year 1979, the first year of my
Pontificate.’
Authenticated and
signed by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli,
Prefect of the Council For Public Affairs of
The Church."
