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Saturday, September 03, 2005

Our Lady of Prompt Succor


Our Lady of Perpetual Help

In the 13th to 14th centuries Italy was still evolving into the united country it would become, but until that time came, Italy was in essence a grouping of cities with their own ruling Principalities. At times this became difficult, as many provinces became uneasy bedfellows, and various factions were formed, and in the centre of most things was the Seat of Peter, the ruling Pontiff, who was also at times placed into precarious and unenviable alliances, which was not always profitable to its own interests.

The cities that gained the most at this particular time were those of Florence, Venice, Siena, Genoa, Pisa, etc. It was during the trade route, which saw some cities flourish whilst others were abandoned, that some governments formed medieval communes, which was meant to distribute wealth more securely and under a fair system.

So it was during this time of opening trade and difficult political intrigues that a picture of Our Lady of Prompt Succor was brought to Italy via a prosperous merchant who unfortunately died, whilst trying to have it displayed so all could venerate it.

This Holy image was placed in the care of the Augustinians who were based in Rome, but unfortunately the French invaded Rome, and so the Holy image disappeared for many years.

But, when God wishes our Lady to be Venerated, then nothing will stand in His way, and through Divine Providence, the image reappeared 40 years later. And upon its discovery Pope Pius lX took an interest in it, for he had remembered praying before it as a young boy.

This Holy Image become greatly loved in all parts of the world and a great devotion was built upon our Lady of Succor. Including the America's when the Ursuline Order arrived in New Orleans, and upon the arrival of Mother St. Michel, who brought with her a statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

And during the difficult years of the war in New Orleans in 1815, many turned to this religious Icon to pray for the safety of their fighting men and protection of their beloved city, from British invaders. Whilst casualities were high amongst the British soldiers, the American soldiers under their leader Andrew Jackson faired much better. Therefore many felt that their prayers were heard, and the people gave thanks that they were saved from further loss and invasion from foreign troops.

Many in later years were to also embrace this Image of Our Lady and pray for protection against hurricanes and other disasters. And it was also in later years that this particular image would also acquire a new name beside the residing name, Our Lady of Prompt Succor also became known as our Lady of Perpetual Help.

I encourage all to learn more about Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

Peace of Christ to you ALL.

Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Gold Lapel Decade Rosary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Our Lady of Vailankanni


Our Lady of Health, Vailankanni

The history begins in the 16th century when the first apparition of Our Lady was to a shepherd Hindu boy, carrying milk and was on his way from Vailankanni to a customer in Nagapattinam. The little boy rested near a waterpond when he saw suddenly a graceful Lady of exquisite beauty, holding in her hands a sweet child. Both wore halo´s around their heads. Our Lady asked the boy for some milk for her child and the boy gave it to her willingly. Our Lady and the Child then smiled to the boy. When he reached the customer and told the story he didn´t believe the boy. Then suddenly the milk started to surge over the pot and flowout. The place then was called "Our Lady's Tank".

The second appariton took some years later with a poor widow and her son near Vailankanni. The boy was lame by birth and every day he sat under a banyan tree at a place called Nadu Thittu and sold buttermilk to the people who passed by and were thirsty. Then on one day he saw a very bright light in front of him and a beautiful Lady with a divine Child in her arms asked the boy for a cup of buttermilk. After that She asked him that he would go to a Catholic gentleman at Nagapattinam to put up a chapel in her name, at the place she appeared. Then the boy realised he was not lame anymore and could walk so ran to the Catholic gentleman at Nagapattinam and they both returned to the site that Our Lady had appeared and she appeared again to them both.The man built a Chapel at "Nadu Thittu' where now still the Shrine Basilica is.The Lady then was called "Our Lady of Good Health".

The third time Our Lady appeared was in the 17th century when a Portuguese merchant vessel was sailing from Macao to Colombo in a terrible storm. They prayed and begged Mary the star of the Sea to save them. And they promised to build a church if they would land safely. The sea then became calm and the ship landed near the shore of Vailankanni on September 8th, the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. They gave thanks and tribute to Our Lady and they improved the little thatched chapel that the Catholic gentleman build and made a beautiful stone built Chapel. On their next visit they decorated the Altar with porcelain plates of biblical illustrations to thank Our Lady.

The celebration of this feast is an annual festival which lasts for 9 days and attracts over one and a half million pilgrims every year. Not only Catholics but also non-Christians. Hundreds of miraculous cures are reported every year.

Historical Data of Vailankanni Shrine

1. The history of Our Lady of Health, Vailankanni, dawned in the 16th century
2. In September 1771, Vailankanni which had been a substation of Nagapattinam Parish, was raised to the status of a Parish.
3. The majestic Shrine facing the East, was renovated twice in 1920 and 1933.
4. His Holiness Pope John the XXIII, raised the Shrine to the status of 'Basilica' on the 3rd November 1962. The apparitions of Our Lady, the Miraculous statue of Our Lady, the countless miracles, the magnificent architecture and beauty of the Shrine, were the motives for this Shrine to become a Basilica.
5. The storeyed extension Basilica was blessed and opened in 1975.
6. In 1985,the little Chapel at Our Lady's Tank, was built a new and blessed.
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