The Story Behind This Beautiful African Statue of Our Lady

Our Lady often appears as a local woman or speaking the local language, as at Guadalupe as a mestiza or at Lourdes, speaking the local dialect.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

When Pope Leo XIV visited Equatorial Guinea, the local Catholics brought out a beautiful statue of Our Lady that has rich history and symbolism.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is known to appear to individuals around the world, and often, when she does, she appears with elements of the local culture. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the most well-known example, as she appeared as a mestiza, a woman who had mixed Indigenous and European heritage.

Most recently, when Pope Leo XIV visited Equatorial Guinea, a statue was brought forward for the celebration of Mass that depicted the Virgin Mary with clothing typical of the local population, specifically a wrap in which Baby Jesus is sustained on her back.

The statue depicts Our Lady of Bisila, and has a long history in the area. Bisila means "Compassion" in the Fang language, so she could be called Our Lady of Compassion.

Mother Bisila

Local tradition states that "a long time ago" (the exact date is unknown), there was an epidemic and, among other illnesses, women were rendered infertile by the disease.

A girl was bathing in the river and afterwards she saw a most beautiful woman. The woman is described as having shiny Black skin and wearing a long raffia skirt. Initially the girl was afraid, as she thought she was seeing a spirit.

The woman who appeared told the girl not to be afraid, saying she would instruct the medicine men what they needed to do to heal the village.

The healers followed the woman's instructions and life returned to the village. They venerated the woman who appeared to them. Later when Catholic priests heard of the story, they believed it was the Virgin Mary.

The local archbishop petitioned the Vatican for permission to support the local devotion and it was granted in 1986. A chapel and statue was built and dedicated in 1987 and ever since, the Bioko people have invoked the Virgin Mary under the title of "Our Lady of the Island" or "Mother Bisila."

The statue that was made shows Mary as a Bioko woman, with typical clothing and carrying the Child Jesus on her back.