Shrine of Our Lady of Europe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shrine of Our Lady of Europe |
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Shrine of Our Lady of Europe
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | Diocese of Gibraltar |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | National Shrine, Parish |
| Leadership | Fr. Charles Azzopardi |
| Year consecrated | 20 August 1462 |
| Location | |
| Location | Europa Point, Gibraltar |
| Architecture | |
| Groundbreaking | 14th century |
The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe is a special Catholic church in Gibraltar. It is also a national shrine, which means it's a very important religious place for the country. You can find it at Europa Point, the southernmost tip of Gibraltar. The church is named after Our Lady of Europe, who is considered the patroness (a special protector) of Gibraltar. This shrine is part of the European Marian Network. This network connects twenty important places in Europe dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Contents
History of the Shrine
Early Beginnings
The story of the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe began a long time ago. In the early 1300s, when Gibraltar was under Moorish rule, a small mosque stood at Europa Point.
Later, when the Spanish took control of Gibraltar between 1309 and 1333, this mosque was changed into a Christian shrine.
Spanish Rule and the Statue
On August 20, 1462, the Spanish took back Gibraltar from the Moors. They once again turned the small mosque at Europa Point into a Christian shrine. They named it in honor of Our Lady as the Patroness of Europe. The idea was to dedicate the whole continent to God through Mary, from this special prayer spot.
A large chapel was built next to the mosque's east wall. The entire area became known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe. A beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus was placed in the shrine in the 1400s. The statue was small, about two feet tall, and made of wood. It was painted in royal red, blue, and gold colors. The Virgin Mary sat on a simple chair with Jesus on her lap. Both wore crowns. The Virgin held a sceptre (a royal staff) with three flowers. These flowers stood for Love, Truth, and Justice.
The shrine became very famous and popular for over 200 years. Sailors passing through the Strait of Gibraltar would salute Our Lady as they sailed past Europa Point. Many sailors even came ashore to bring gifts to the shrine. They made sure there was always enough oil to keep a light burning. This light was not only in front of the statue but also in the tower above the chapel. This tower light was actually Gibraltar's first lighthouse!
In the 1500s, Barbary pirates often attacked the Mediterranean coasts of Spain. In 1545, Gibraltar was attacked and robbed by a pirate named Hali Hamat. The shrine was looted, and all its valuable items were stolen. However, the statue of the Virgin and Child was left untouched.
The shrine soon recovered and was protected by new walls built by King Philip II. New and important gifts were given to the shrine. These included a silver lamp from Giovanni Andrea Doria in 1568. Also, two large silver lamps were given by John of Austria after his victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
The British Period
In August 1704, the city of Gibraltar was captured by a fleet of British and Dutch ships. As the city was being attacked, many women and children were taken to the shrine for safety. But some soldiers from the fleet reached the shrine and captured the women. They also stole many valuable items.
The soldiers took twelve silver lamps, candlesticks, crowns, and other precious items. They also took clothes from many families who had sought safety there. When there was nothing left to steal, they broke off the head of the statue and the baby Jesus. They threw the pieces onto the rocks below.
However, because the statue was made of wood, the pieces floated into the Bay of Gibraltar. A fisherman found them and later gave them to Juan Romero de Figueroa. He was the priest in charge of the main church in Gibraltar. Father Romero de Figueroa stayed in the city even after most people left. He eventually took the statue's remains to Algeciras for safekeeping. This was one of the places where the Spanish people from Gibraltar had settled. The statue was kept in a small chapel there, which was later renamed the Chapel of Our Lady of Europe.
After Gibraltar was captured, the shrine, like most other Catholic churches, was no longer used for worship. It was taken over by the military and used for army purposes. It was also badly damaged during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. A new building was later built on the same spot.
In the early 1860s, the Catholic leader of Gibraltar, John Baptist Scandella, asked for the original statue to be returned from Algeciras. It finally came back to Gibraltar in 1864. Since the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe was still controlled by the military, the statue was placed in a new chapel. This chapel was built along Engineer Road. This new chapel later received a marble altar donated by Pope Pius IX.
During World War II, the statue was moved to the main cathedral for safety. After the war, the statue was moved again. This time it went to St. Joseph's Parish Church, which was the closest church to Europa Point.
The building at the site of the old Shrine of Our Lady of Europe remained military property until 1961. It had been used as an army storehouse for oil and other supplies. From 1928, it was a library for the soldiers. But when World War II started, it became a storage facility again. By 1959, the military decided they no longer needed the building and planned to tear it down.
However, thanks to the efforts of Bishop John Farmer Healy, the building was given to the Catholic Church on October 17, 1961. Restoration work began in 1962. For the first time in 258 years, a Mass was held at the Shrine on September 28, 1962. The statue was finally moved in a public procession from St. Joseph's Parish Church to the Shrine on October 7, 1967. The building was changed and improved in the early 1970s. The statue of Our Lady is still in the Shrine today. In 1997, the sanctuary was rebuilt, and the statue was restored again.
Recent Years
Papal Approval
In 1979, Pope John Paul II officially approved the title of Our Lady of Europe as the Patroness of Gibraltar. After this, the shrine was restored and improved.
A Special Gift: The Golden Rose
To celebrate the 700th anniversary of devotion to Our Lady of Europe, the shrine received a very special gift. This gift was the Golden Rose, which is a rare honor given by the Pope. Pope Benedict XVI presented it in May 2009.
See also
- Roman Catholicism in Gibraltar
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar
- Shrine of Our Lady of Africa
In Spanish: Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Europa para niños
