Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Ethiopia. Ethiopia is one of the world's most Marian countries. Saint Frumentius (4th century) called the first church built in Axum, the capital, Edda Mariam, which means House of Mary. Mary is venerated with the name Waladita Amlâk, the Mother of God. Ethiopians join the name of Mary with other names which reveal the people's trust in her: Ghebié Mariam (servant of Mary), Hailé Mariam (fortitude of Mary), Laoké Mariam (message of Mary), Teklé Mariam (offspring or descendent of Mary), Hapté Mariam (Dono di Mary). Many beautiful churches hewn out of the rock and decorated with frescoes of Bible scenes are dedicated to Mary. The Church in Ethiopia has a special feast: Kidäma Mehret, the Covenant of Mercy, on 10 February. Certain that Mary's prayers to her Son will be answered Ethiopian Christians consider their country the land of Mary under her protection. Guinea. Shrine of Our Lady of Guinea at Boya, diocese of Conakry. Kenya. Shrine of Mary Help of Christians diocese of Nairobi; Shrine of the Consolata, diocese of Nairobi. Mali. Our Lady of Kita. In the early years when the parish church became to small to hold the numerous crowds, prayers would be said under the trees. But in 1994 a new church was built to seat 3,000 people and Our Lady of Kita is a place of national pilgrimage.
Mozambique. Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, built in 1945 at Namaacha (Maputo), on the Mozambique Swaziland border visited by many faithful. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/5/2007; righe 20, parole 273)
