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.

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.

Our Lady of Pellevoisin

Visionary Estelle Faguette

The years after the French revolution were to be decisive and also tumultuous ones for France, as the need for a Monarchy was replaced with the more acceptable Republic. These were difficult years for the people of France as it recovered from the Prussian invasion as different reigns disappeared overnight to be replaced with a Republic and new forms of government. And with these decisions France was to see different leaders came and go, which left the people with feelings of instability, at a time when many people were struggling with poverty and disease.

But it was during the year 1876 that once again France was given a great favour from Heaven, with a visit from our Lady to the visionary Estelle Faguette. This was at a time when many thought Estelle was going to die including herself, as she was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis an incurable disease, and was suffering much pain.

It was during the night of 10th February that Estelle came perilously close to death as the doctor affirmed. But Estelle survived that night and it was on the night of 14th-15th of February that Estelle first saw a vision of our Lady and upon her appearance a demon that was trying to torment poor Estelle vanished!

Our Lady was to appear several times to this visionary and also our Lady promised Estelle that she would be cured within the week and it was on 19th of February 1876 upon receiving the Eucharist, that Estelle proclaimed herself cured!

Her doctors were astounded as none had any hope at all for Estelle and were simply waiting for this dreaded disease to ravage her body. This not only astounded the doctors but also all those who heard Estelle say that through our Lady she would be cured and she was!

Estelle came from a poor family where her Mother was deeply devout whilst her Father, remained indifferent towards religion as he concentrated on providing for his family, as in all families times were difficult. It was through her Mother that Estelle developed a deep love and reverence for our Holy Mother and prayed to her often.

Our Lady was to repay Estelle's love for her in a miraculous way in that Estelle was to be totally healed of tuberculosis, but though our Lady relieved Estelle of this disease she also confided to her beloved child that her sufferings would now be spiritual. She also warned Estelle that many would think her mad and that some of her friends would abandon her. But Our Lady offered this consolation in her words, "pay no attention to all that. I will help you."

On 16 of February Estelle was tormented again by Satan, but once again his demonic appearance ended once Our Lady came to Estelle’s aid. Her words of loving comfort were, "I am merciful and Mistress of My Son. The few good works and the intense prayers, which you offered me, have touched My Motherly heart...". Our lady was to reiterate this later when she said. "I am merciful and hold sway with my Son"...Have courage, patience and resignation; you will suffer and will not be free of troubles; try to be faithful and make known my glory".

Our Lady emphasised love and devotion to her Son and most especially in receiving the Eucharist in a worthy manner, she also emphasised the importance of prayer and exhorted Estelle and others to pray much for the forgiveness of sins, and to offer sacrifices for the repentance of others.

Estelle was also told of the tribulations that France would have to endure but she then added, "One can be saved in every state. Where you are, you can do a great deal of good, and you can publish my glory."

During these appearances our Lady also requested that a Scapular be made and with these words said to Estelle, "You will yourself go to the Prelate and you will show him the pattern you have made. Ask him to help you as much as is in his power, and tell him nothing would please me more than to see this worn by every one of my children, and for them all to endeavour to atone for the outrages my Son receives in the sacrament of His love. See the graces I shower upon those who will wear it with confidence and will help you to propagate it."

The Scapular has a picture of The Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the other side it has an image of Our Lady showering all those who wear it with Graces from Heaven. This Scapular gained the approval of the Catholic Church on April 4th, 1900.

Estelle Faguette died in 1929.

I would encourage all to learn more about Our Lady of Pellevoisin.

Peace of Christ to you ALL.

Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Our Lady of Beauraing

Our Lady of Beauraing

Also known as Our Lady of the Golden Heart
Memorial 29 November
Date(s) 29 November 1932 - 3 January 1933

Beauraing 1932
Beauraing is a small village in the French speaking part of Belgium.
Our Lady appeared there to 5 children Andree and Gilberte Degeimbre 15 and 9 years old, Fernande, Gilberte and Albert Voisin 15, 13 and 11 years old.

Our Lady appeared 33 times to these children and the first time was on November 29th, 1932 and the last one January 3, 1933.

On November 29 1932 Fernande, Andree and her sister Gilberteand Albert Voisin went to the local convent school to meetup with Albert's sister Gilberte. Albert rang at the door to the convent and as he waited, he turned around and looked toward the street and the railroad bridge and the little Lourdes grotto. He saw Our lady there dressed in white and when the girls turned around they saw her too above the bridge and the grotto, clouds covering her feet. The girls also saw Our Lady dressed inwhite with her feet hiden by a little cloud.

This was the first apparition and nobody would believe them, not their parents, the Mother Superior of the convent or anybody in their village did.

On December 1, Our Lady appeared for the second time and from that time she would appear nearby a hawthorn tree near the grotto to the children. As soon as Our Lady appeard the children were thrown on their knees and prayed Hail Marys in a loud, high voice. They would only stop if Our Lady was talking to them.

On December 2 Albert asked Our Lady if she was the ImmaculateVirgin, and She smiled and nodded her head, and said to him:"Always be good."

The news was spreaded rapidly and on through the village and the rest of Belgium and beyond. More and more people would come to the hawthorn tree in the grotto to pray the rosary with the children.

On December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception the children were in ecstasy and matches that were lighted were held underneath their hands, they also got pinpricks, etc. but they were not injured or harmed in any way.

The local priest Fr. Lambert and the Church authorities were very prudent about the apparitions and refused to getinvolved. Even the local bishop ordered the priests not to go to the site.

The children were closely watched at the apparitions and questioned separetely.

On December 29 Mary also showed her Golden Heart surrounded by rays to Fernande, the next day also to the other children. Our Lady instructed to build a chapel for pilgirms and She said: "I am the Immaculate Virgin"

Our Lady also said she would give proof that she was theImmaculate Virgin and said: "pray, pray very much and always". Our Lady was wearing a white dress and veil, and a crown.

On January 1, 1933 Our Lady said to Gilberte Voisin to "Pray always," and said that on January 3 she would appear for the last time and would speak to them separately.

On January 3 a crowd of over 30,000 people came to the grotto for the last apparition of Our Lady to the children. She had a message for each of them.

To Gilberte Voisin she said: "I will convert sinners. Goodbye:"

To Andree she said: " I am the Mother of God, the Queen ofHeaven. Pray always. Goodbye:"

To Fernande: "Do you love my Son and me?" which Fernande replied yes "Then sacrifice yourself for me. Goodbye". Our Lady then disappeared.

In July 1935 the bishop appointed a commission of inquiry and in February 1943 Bishop Charue gave his permission for public devotions to Our Lady at Beauraing. In July 1949 the shrine was officially recognised and 2 important documents were issued. One was about the many cures that had taken place at Beauraing and the second one was to affirm that the Queen of Heaven appeared to the children of Beauraing in 1932-1933.