Vilnius Gate of Dawn

Aušros Vartų g. 14, Vilnius

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360

Description

The gate which now the Chapel of the painting of the Mother of Mercy was first mentioned in 1514 and is called the Medininkai Gate. Nobody knows since when they were called in Lithuanian called “Gates of Dawn” and why the “Dawn”. Perhaps this name of the gate came from the image of St. Mary as the “Star of Dawn”. In his first encyclical, Pope Pius XI, a great friend of Lithuania, mentioned the painting of the Gate of Dawn in 1929. He appointed the canon Teofilius Matulionis as bishop and later called him a hero when he met him. The bishop Teofilius Matulionis himself extremely cherished the title of the Mary Mother of Mercy and even distributed the novena of the Mother of the Divine Mercy in his letters. The Blessed Teofilius visited the Gate of Dawn several times, praying at the image of the Mother of Mercy. Several such trips are documented by his biographers. As soon as he returned from the Holy Land in 1936, the Blessed visited his brother’s family who lived in Vilnius and held a mass at the Gate of Dawn to grace the famous image of Our Lady in thankfulness for a happy life. In 2017, the relics of T. Matulionis were brought to the wake of the care of the Mother of Mercy of the Gate of Dawn, to the side chapel of St. Therese Church. Believers could pray and ask for graces for themselves and their loved ones at the reliquary in the shape of a sarcophagus.

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  • The Great Route

    31 objects

    On this path, you will discover all the places related to the life, pastoral activity, suffering and death of Blessed Teofilius Matulionis in Lithuania. Travelling around all these places will give you an even better insight into the personality of Blessed Teofilius, the beauty of Lithuania and the richness of its history.

  • The Path of Kaišiadorys region

    32 objects

    Kaišiadorys region is rich in spiritual heritage and beauty. The personalities who left extraordinary traces in the history of Lithuania were born and lived, worked and prayed there. In Kaišiadorys, we can find especial stops for prayer and spiritual life. We invite you to travel this path - to see the beauty and richness of our homeland Lithuania and Christian life.

  • The Path of Nation Suffering and Struggle

    16 objects

    In the 20th century, Lithuania suffered two particularly brutal occupations and wars, which claimed many victims but did not suppress the desire for freedom. Blessed Teofilius and other fighters sacrificed their lives on the altar of Lithuanian freedom. On this path, we invite you to remember and visit the places of the suffering of freedom fighters of the Lithuanian nation, to find out how much has been suffered and given for our freedom.

  • The Path of Salvation of the Dying

    14 objects

    In the rampage of the brutal genocide of the Jews, during the Nazi occupation, Bishop Teofilius Matulionis, in cooperation with Benedictine nuns, helped save the Jews. On this path, we invite you to visit Jewish heritage sites in the Kaišiadorys region, to meet more heroic personalities who contributed to the rescue of the Jews, to see where the Blessed Teofilius and the Benedictine sisters were hiding a little Jewish girl who later became a world-famous pianist.

  • The Path of the Blessed Teofilius Matulionis Spirituality

    17 objects

    In the twentieth century, the activities of the Blessed Teofilius Matulionis left a strong print in the spread of Christian faith and piety in Lithuania. Not only did he fight for the rights of the faithful; he was also a faith enhancer, founder of adoration of the St. Sacrament, he spread devotion to the Blessed One Jesus Heart, refreshed the temperance movement, etc. On this path, we invite you to visit places related to the spirituality and pastoral activity of the Blessed Teofilius.

  • The Places of Respect and Piety of the Blessed Teofilius Matulionis

    26 objects

    When the Blessed Teofilius Matulionis was still alive, he was considered a legend. The distinctiveness of the personality was recognized not only by friends but also by those who persecuted him. Even Soviet oppression could not erase the traces of Teofilius’s life - his life and suffering inspired many to fight for freedom. On this path, you will discover works of art, museums, institutions, expositions, and places that each peculiarly conveys the life of Blessed Teofilius.

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