The Rivers Of Faith: Mariology In Mariamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

The Marian Shrine of Mariamabad, Pakistan is a Catholic Church, a site of pilgrimage famous for its unique ambiance and its yearly festival commemorating the birth of the Virgin Mary. Visitors and pilgrims include Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. The purpose of this study is to analyze various forms of devotion at Mariamabad from anthropological, phenomenological, and sociological perspectives. The focus is on the different confluences of Catholic and Islamic devotion, and the influence of the traditional religions of Pakistan on Catholic practices and vice versa. The unique encounter of devotees with the numinous (in the form of Mary) and spiritual satisfaction attained by pilgrims at Mariamabad suggest that religious belief transcends the barriers of cultures and traditions by absorbing native cultural roots and traditions within itself, thus creating unique and nuanced religious perceptions and distinct ritualistic practices.