Fourvière in the world

Virgins of the world

Every year, millions of visitors flock to Fourvière from all over the world to visit the site of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Today, the crypt houses eleven statues of the Virgin Mary. They come from sanctuaries all over the world: Brazil, Mexico, India, China, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Italy, the Philippines, Africa and Lebanon. Each one highlights the international dimension of Marian worship. Many communities come on pilgrimage each year to celebrate their Lady.

The Golden Virgin in the world

On the other hand, the Golden Virgin of Fourvière likes to travel. Replicas can be found at the Santa Cruz Basilica in Oran, Algeria, and at the Notre-Dame de Fourvière Shrine in Christchurch, New Zealand.

In December 2019, on the occasion of the 25-year Jubilee of the presence of the Community of the Beatitudes in New Zealand and on the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 450 people gathered in the gardens of the Community’s Spiritual Centre in Leithfield near Christchurch, for the opening of the Our Lady of Fourvière Shrine. It thus becomes the first Marian devotional site on New Zealand’s South Island.

Monsignor Patrick Le Gal, auxiliary bishop of the Lyon diocese and former rector of the Fourvière sanctuary, unveiled a statue of Mary. Brought over from France, it is a replica of “La Vierge Dorée”, which sits atop Lyon’s basilica.

As far away as the ends of the earth, churches can be found under the title of Notre-Dame de Fourvière:

Côte d’Yvoire, with N-D de Fourvière in Sakassou

in Mali, with the parish of N-D de Fourvière in Faladié

in Canada, with N-D de Fourvière Cathedral in Mont-Laurier.

In San Francisco, USA, the Notre-Dame des Victoires church was inspired by the architecture of the Lyon basilica!