Location
Monserrat
Start Date
26-6-2026 12:30 PM
End Date
26-6-2026 2:00 PM
Description
"Our Lady of the Lake. Mother of Mercy”, reads the inscription on the statue of Virgin Mary. Overlooking Lake Togo, visible from many points within the Marian shrine, it symbolizes the devotion that illuminates the site since its inauguration in November 1973. The weakest, the poorest, those who suffer come here seeking the care and protection. Since the Virgin was seen by villagers above the waters in 1971, and the visit of Pope John Paul II consecrating the place in 1985, the sanctuary welcomes every year on the shores of Lake Togo, thousands of believers, faithful, curious people, but also men of faith or power. Largely unknown in Europe, this place is respected throughout West Africa, and probably across the whole continent.
Notre Dame du Lac raises questions not only about the notion of miracle, its recognition by ecclesiastical authorities, and the chosen temporality, but also about the development of the Christian religion since the XIXth century in a region of the world heavily influenced by animism and voodoo beliefs (Pons1985). It also concerns the capacity of the discourse to advocate on gender, to mobilize large crowds and the role, a specific place, can play for religious reconciliation and peace.
The article identifies the characteristics of the sanctuary and examine the forms of devotion offered to Mary. As said by Pope John Paul II: “Pilgrims of all ages, I imagine you wish to express your joy in the African and Togolese way” (John Paul II 1985).
Finally, we will deconstruct, from the colonial period (Pr Gabiyor 1997) to the present day, the various stages that allowed the Church of Rome to establish there around 1910 and to progress throughout Togo. But more importantly, we will examine how the 1985’s recognition fits into the African strategy of the Catholic Church.
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Included in
I3) The Apparitions of Notre Dame Du Lac (Our Lady of The Lake) In Togo: Or the Roman Church's Strategy in Africa
Monserrat
"Our Lady of the Lake. Mother of Mercy”, reads the inscription on the statue of Virgin Mary. Overlooking Lake Togo, visible from many points within the Marian shrine, it symbolizes the devotion that illuminates the site since its inauguration in November 1973. The weakest, the poorest, those who suffer come here seeking the care and protection. Since the Virgin was seen by villagers above the waters in 1971, and the visit of Pope John Paul II consecrating the place in 1985, the sanctuary welcomes every year on the shores of Lake Togo, thousands of believers, faithful, curious people, but also men of faith or power. Largely unknown in Europe, this place is respected throughout West Africa, and probably across the whole continent.
Notre Dame du Lac raises questions not only about the notion of miracle, its recognition by ecclesiastical authorities, and the chosen temporality, but also about the development of the Christian religion since the XIXth century in a region of the world heavily influenced by animism and voodoo beliefs (Pons1985). It also concerns the capacity of the discourse to advocate on gender, to mobilize large crowds and the role, a specific place, can play for religious reconciliation and peace.
The article identifies the characteristics of the sanctuary and examine the forms of devotion offered to Mary. As said by Pope John Paul II: “Pilgrims of all ages, I imagine you wish to express your joy in the African and Togolese way” (John Paul II 1985).
Finally, we will deconstruct, from the colonial period (Pr Gabiyor 1997) to the present day, the various stages that allowed the Church of Rome to establish there around 1910 and to progress throughout Togo. But more importantly, we will examine how the 1985’s recognition fits into the African strategy of the Catholic Church.