!!!Magna Mater Austriae

Magna Mater Austriae (Latin for Great Mother of Austria), refers to 
the Virgin Mary to whom the Austrian territory was dedicated several 
times and who is therefore regarded as Austria´s special patron 
saint. For these reasons the Virgin Mary is also called "Alma Mater 
Austriae" (Kind Mother of Austria), as well as "Venerable Patron Saint 
of Austria". A representation of the Magna Mater Austriae in 
the shape of a Byzantine/Late Romanesque sitting statue (13%%sup th/%  
century) with splendid garments is to be found in the town of 
Mariazell (an important place of pilgrimage in the province of 
Styria). Other old churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary are situated 
at Wilten (in the Tirol, 1140), at Maria Saal (9%%sup th/%  century), 
at Maria am Gestade in Vienna and at Maria Taferl. Literary texts bear 
witness to the praise of the Virgin Mary in medieval monasteries. The 
Jesuits founded a lay movement called Marian Congregation. The 
17%%sup th/%  century has been considered the "Marian century". 
Karl II of Inneroesterreich (one of the four territories into 
which Austria was split during the 16%%sup th/%  century) promoted 
pilgrimages; Ferdinand II worshipped the Magna Mater Austriae at 
Mariazell. Emperor Ferdinand III declared the Virgin Mary the 
"Patrona et Domina Austriae" (a column dedicated to the Virgin Mary 
was set up on the square "Am Hof" in Vienna, restored by order of 
Leopold I in 1667). During the reign of Emperor Joseph II pilgrimages 
were restricted, religious fraternities in honour of Mary the Virgin 
and votive plaques were forbidden and many churches destroyed. Some, 
however, were saved from destruction (e.g. the church of Strassengel 
in the province of Styria). Since the 19%%sup th/%  century  
Pilgrimages have again become popular.


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