On March 25, 1646, King D. João IV consecrated «His Kingdoms and Lords» to Our Lady of Conception, who was represented in a sculpture located in the Shrine of Our Lady of Conception in Vila Viçosa. By “Royal Provision”, Our Lady was proclaimed the Patroness of Portugal and, from then on, the monarchs of the Bragança Dynasty would no longer use the royal crown on their heads.

To highlight this event, the Institute of the Patron of Portugal for the Studies of Mariology (PPSM) intends to organize a congress, entitled: “The Woman, Mother and Queen. 375 years of the Coronation of Our Lady of Conception as the Patroness of Portugal”.

 

The Congress, set for March 24-26, 2022, will take place in Fátima. It intends to be an extensive study forum, both in terms of subjects, perspectives, and approaches. Different contributions to the study of Mariology, Theology and the Bible are expected, from Folk Religion, Associations of the Faithful and Religious Orders (which in many cases promoted the devotion to the Virgin Mary), Canon Law, Anthropology and Sociology, Art and Church History, the History of Portugal and even of Universal History.

 

In addition to bringing together the most knowledgeable experts in the various fields of research, the Congress is open to the active participation of all who want to associate their research through self-proposed communications. It is undeniable that the Portuguese people have a strong Marian identity, whose foundations and expressions we want to know better at the Congress.

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We hope that the Congress will be welcomed by the civil community, the religious community and the scientific community. With this event, we will also leave a mark in history, through knowledge.

 

May all interested parties mobilize. We expect the presence and collaboration of everyone who can make a positive contribution to this initiative.