Pope St. John Paul II inspired the Kenyan clergy to build a National Marian Shrine during a papal visit in 1980. The Shrine was first established at Munanda Catholic Church, Subukia in 1987 after which it was moved to the current Subukia valley location.[6] The committee managing the shrine affairs realized that the Munanda shrine was too small given that it was only 12 acres, a reason that drove the purchase and relocation to the current 200-acre parcel of land.[6] It is alleged that on 7th December, 1991, as workers were clearing a bush to bless the land for the new shrine, they discovered a wet ground in an area that was previously dry. On digging a spring came up. It was attributed to the Virgin Mary and was blessed in line with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on 1st January 1992 Bishop Cornelius Kipng'eno Arap Korir.[6][7]
Father Kazimier Szulc, a Polish priest is behind the design of the main church at the shrine.[8][9]
Pilgrimage
Pilgrims often visit the shrine for spiritual purposes, especially because of its spring waters, which faithfuls regard as miraculous.[3][10][11] The main spring is enclosed within a spring chapel where pilgrims stop for prayers and genuflection. Three wells, just below the chapel, are fed by the spring in which the pilgrims drink, wash, and even immerse in them in pursuit of their healing power.[3][6][7][12][13]
Access to the spring starts at a Marian Grotto located at one end of the Shrine's church compound. Catholics, Protestants, and also non-Christians from Kenya and beyond ascend the steep hill via The Way of the Cross, a devotional Christian tradition that commemorates the Passion of Christ .[14][7] The descent path follows a different route known as the Way of the Rosary. The route consists of twenty stations that mark the significant events in the life of Christ that make up four sets of mysteries.[15]
The shrine hosts annual national prayer days that attract thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.[16][17][18][19]
Apparitions
Some faithful have reported sighting the Virgin Mary at Subukia Shrine.[20] While some reported Marian apparitions at the Shrine's hillside have been accompanied by video and photo evidence, there is no official report from the Vatican, the headquarters of the Catholic Church.[10][20] However, it is recognized as a "place of prayer."[10]
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