The chaplets  honouring the titles of our Lady in Liturgical Date Order:

1. Mother of Joy – 2^nd Dec

2. Our Lady of Guadalupe I & II – 12^th Dec

3. Chaplet of Our Lady of Cardigan I & II (short method) – 2^nd Feb

4. Chaplet of Our Lady of Lourdes – 11^th Feb

5. Chaplet to the Mother of the Most Holy Eucharist – 13^th May

6. Chaplet of Our Lady of Fatima – 13^th May

7. Novena Chaplet to Our Lady of Fatima – 13^th May

8. Our Lady of Medjugorjie I (& II the Peace Chaplet) – 24 June? No official date

9. Chaplet in Honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour I – 27^th Jun

10. Chaplet of Our lady of Perpetual Succour II & III – 27^th Jun

11. Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Carmelite) – 16^th Jul

12. Our Lady Star of the Sea – 16^th Jul

13. Chaplet of Our Lady of Czestochowa – ‘The Black Madonna’   (Pauline Fathers) – 3^rd May ‘Queen of Poland’

14.  Chaplet of Our Lady of Consolation (Augustinian) Sat after Feast of St Augustine on 28^th Aug

15. Chaplet of Our Lady of Walsingham: 1061 – 24^th Sept

16. Chaplet of Our Lady ‘Undoer of Knots’ (Maria Knotenlöserin) – 28^th Sept

17. Notre Dame Du Cap – 1^st Sunday in Oct

OUR LADY MOTHER OF JOY

2nd December

Chaplet Text

With the medal make the sign of the cross upon yourself saying: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Recite the Mother of Joy Petition Prayer: O Mary, Blessed Mother of Joy, we present these prayers and petitions to your Son through your intercession (make your petitions here)

On the first (red) bead of the pendant say: The Apostle’s Creed

On the second (clear) bead of the pendant say: Pater Noster…

On each of the five blue beads in the three sets following say: Ave Maria…

On the clear bead at the end of each set of blue beads say: O My Jesus, grant that our prayers may turn the tears of Our Lady of Sorrow into the smile of Our Mother of Joy.

Conclude on the centrepiece saying: Dear Mother of Joy, we ask that our small acts of self-denial  be pleasing to your Son as we strive to imitate your way of life; always willing to respond to God’s call. We humbly ask you to pray for us; we entrust our souls to your motherly protection and pray that, one day, you will present us to your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns with God the Father Almighty for all eternity. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Available from:  rosaryandchaplet.com

For further information visit: www.motherofjoy.com

Origin of the Chaplet of the Mother of Joy

‘I would like each of you to discover the joy and the love that exists only in God and that only God can give.’ Our Lady of Medjugorie, May 25, 1989. Words from Heaven, P.77.

La Pieta Prayer Group and Emma De Guzman

Emma De Guzman of Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA; mother of three, grandmother of three and a self- proclaimed mystic, emigrated to the US from the Philippines in 1986. In October 1991 she bought an icon of the Pieta in a garage sale and installed it in her prayer room. In the November of that year she recounts receiving a message from the Lord who spoke to her of making a mission involving the icon. Emma de Guzman and Sol Gaviola founded the La Pieta Prayer Group in Kingston, Ontario with the help of Lisa Eltanal in December of 1991. As a mystic, Emma De Guzman is endorsed by at least two bishops, including Bishop Francisco Garmendai of South Bronx, New York, and Bishop Danylak of Canada. Priests and seminarians have visited her home and claimed to have witnessed miracles while in her presence (including the appearance of miraculous hosts from the angel of the Eucharist). The web site of the La Pieta Prayer Group states: ‘Although Her Public Ministry Of Healing And Prayer Is Rapidly Growing, Emma Remains Deeply Spiritual, Humble, Obedient, And Always Thanks Jesus And Mary For The Many Blessings She Has Received From God. Emma Continues To Be A Hard-Working Servant Of Jesus And Mary And A True Beacon Of Light In A World Of Spiritual Darkness.’ (mother of joy.com) Emma De Guzman has also apparently been graced with multiple supernatural gifts, which have been manifested to thousands of people.

The chaplet originated in the La Pieta Prayer Group in honour of Our Lady as Joyful Mother and bringer of Joy, in presenting her Son to us. Followers  have written: ‘When Our Blessed Mother appeared to Emma at the Prayer House, she appeared all in white and identified herself as ‘Mother of Joy’. Jesus told Emma He wanted the Prayer House to be named, ‘Mother of Joy House of Prayer’. … When Blessed Mother appeared to Emma in the Philippines, she appeared as ‘Mother of Love, Peace and Joy’. (Beverly & Pat Galtieri, Co-orinators, La Pieta Prayer Group of Syracuse, NY, USA)

Notre Dame de Liesse – an expression of the Joy of Mary I

In the Litany of Loreto one of the titles ascribed to Our Lady is Cause of our Joy. Our Lady, Cause of our Joy or Notre Dame de Liesse (Memorial: 2 December) is the title given to an ancient statue of Our Lady and child which was brought from Egypt to northern France at the same time of the Crusades by three knights who had been captured by Saracens and later released. It was enshrined at Liesse, near Laon, in the diocese of Soissons in France. The original statue was destroyed during the French Revolution, but the mediaeval basilica at Liesse remained a centre of devotion to the Mother of God: a new statue was installed and crowned there in 1857. Our Lady of Liesse is the patron of the diocese of Soissons and the focus of pilgrimages, especially an annual pilgrimage on Whit Monday. John Baptist de la Salle had a special devotion to Our Lady of Liesse. With twelve brothers he pronounced a vow of obedience to Our Lady, Cause of Our Joy. For the first time for one year at Rheims in June 1686.The ceremony was renewed at the sanctuary of Our Lady of Liesse, near Laon, on the following day.

The Icon Of Our Lady Of Joy With Saint Christopher & Saint Francis Of Assisi – an expression of the Joy of Mary II

(1) The centre of this icon is a joyful Mother of God, who presents her son to the world. She sits on a throne with her son on her laps. Cherubim surround her as a reminder that she is greater than the angels. The throne is the symbol of the anticipated second coming of Christ. Her inner blue garment symbolises her purity and the outer red garment symbolises the Meat and the Blood of her son. (2) The Greek letters is an abbreviation for Mother of God. Mary is painted with three stars on her veil, one on the forehead and one on each shoulder. The three stars are a symbol of eternal virginity. In Iconography, the fingers are often elongated to suggest elegance and dematerialized beauty. The hands of Mary suggesting presentation and they also express praise. (3) Christ sits upright; he looks straight ahead with penetrating gaze. In his left hand he holds the scroll, symbol of divine wisdom, teaching and power of the Gospel. This tell us that this figure is the Word and wisdom of God, With the right hand Christ blesses those who gaze at the icon. His fingers form the symbol of his two natures and the Trinity. Christ is wearing the gold vestments of a priest and a king. Gold is a symbol of divinity and divine energy. (4) St. Christopher, the Christ bearer and patron of the church, is on her left side. He is symbolic of the message of Christ and represents the people of St. Christopher’s church who themselves, are the Christ bearers, and those who come to bear the Christ. He promises safe passage.St. Francis of Assisi is to her right. He finds joy in all of creation. He celebrates life. He is the promise of new life. The icon image is full of hope. It is the promise of joy, safe passage and new life for all those who come to Christ.

Newman on Joy

‘God has not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.’

Let us seek the grace of a cheerful heart, an even temper, sweetness, gentleness and brightness of mind, as walking in His light and by His grace.

Let us pray Him to give us the spirit of ever-abundant, ever-springing love, which overpowers and sweeps away the vexations of life by its own richness and strength,

and which above all things unites us to Him who is the fountain and the centre of all mercy, loving kindness and joy.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE 1531

12th December

Chaplet of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Commence on the crucifix. Make the Sign of the Cross, saying; In Nomine Patri…

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, Make intercession for our Holy Church. Protect the sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke you in their necessities, and since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the True God, obtain for us from your Most Holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, of burning charity and the precious gift of final perseverance.  Amen.

On the first bead: Pater Noster…

On the set of four beads and in honour of the four Apparitions of Our Lady to Blessed Juan Diego Ave Maria…

Pray each set of beads as follows:

The First Apparition: Our Lady of Guadalupe appears to Blessed Juan Diego and requests a Temple to be built in her honour.

On the single bead say: Pater Noster…

Our Lady of Guadalupe, my Queen and my Mother, I thank you for your first apparition to Blessed Juan Diego when you revealed that you are the Most Pure Virgin, Mary, Mother of the True God and Mother of all mankind. I thank you for requesting a temple to be built where you stood, to bear witness to your love, your compassion, your aid and your protection for all who would love you, trust you and invoke your help.

On each of the three beads say one: Ave Maria…  On the chain say: Gloria Patri…

The Second Apparition: Our Lady of Guadalupe gives Blessed Juan Diego encouragement after his return from the bishop’s house.

On the single bead say: Pater Noster…

Our Lady of Guadalupe, my Queen and my Mother, I thank you for your second apparition to Blessed Juan Diego when, upon his return from the Bishop’s house, he knelt in humiliation and defeat before you since he was unable to accomplish your mission. I thank you for the courage and encouragement you gave to Blessed Juan Diego to make a second appeal to the Bishop.

Ave Maria… Gloria Patri…

The Third Apparition: Our Lady of Guadalupe promises a sign to Blessed Juan Diego for the bishop

Pater Noster…

Mother, I thank you for your third apparition to Blessed Juan Diego, when after this unsuccessful attempt to have a temple built, you said to him, ‘So be it, son. Return tomorrow in order that you may secure for the bishop the sign for which he has asked. When this is in your possession he will believe you; he will no longer doubt your word and suspect your good faith. be assured that I shall reward you for all that you have undergone.’

Ave Maria… Gloria Patri…

The Fourth Apparition: Our Lady of Guadalupe fulfils her promise by showing herself on the tilma (cloak) of Blessed Juan Diego

Pater Noster…

Our Lady of Guadalupe my Queen and my Mother, I thank you for your fourth apparition to Blessed Juan Diego when you ordered him to pick the roses he would find on the summit of the hill and bring them to you. I thank you for arranging them in his tilma when you said; ‘This cluster of roses is the sign that you shall take to the Bishop. You are to tell him, in my name that, in this he will recognise my will and that he must fulfil it. You will be my ambassador, wholly worthy of my confidence. Only in the presence of the Bishop shall you unfold your mantle and disclose that which you carry.’ I thank you for your image printed on the tilma which appeared when the roses were released.

Ave Maria… Gloria Patri…

The Closing Prayer may be said upon the centrepiece:

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in thy celestial apparition on the Mount of Tepeyac, thou didst promise to show thy compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting thee, seek thy help and call upon thee in their necessities and afflictions; also to hearken to our supplications, to dry our tears and to give us consolation and relief. Inspired with this confidence we come before thy august presence, certain that thou wilt deign to fulfil thy merciful promises. We are full of hope that, standing beneath thy protection nothing will trouble or afflict us. Thou hast desired to remain with us through thy admirable image, thou who art our Mother, our health and our life.

V. Holy Mary, Mother of God,   R. Hear our petitions and in thy mercy answer us.

On this variant of the chaplet the devotion begins with Apostles. Creed, Pater Noster and GloriaPatri on the medal.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose on the single pendant bead.

Three Ave Marias on each group of three beads followed by Gloria Patri on the chain.

The mysteries are announced on each of the first four large beads. The Memorare is said on the fifth large bead. (the prayer used on the centrepeice of the first chaplet)

Our Lady of Guadalupe – the  Empress of the Americas

On December 9th, 1531, ten years after the defeat of the Aztec nation by the Spanish conquistadores, an Aztec Indian, known by his Christian name, Juan Diego, was walking to mass just outside the present Mexico City. His feet were bare and he was dressed in a coarse-woven mantle, called a Tilma, made of maguey cactus fibres. From nowhere it seemed he heard the sound of birds singing and, before him, he saw a woman he described as lovely, brown and crowned with a halo which shone in the morning sunlight. She was dressed in a glorious robes of gold, blue and rose colour. He then heard her speak to him in his own native language, identifying herself as the Blessed Mother Mary and saying in a tender voice: ‘little son, Juanito and Juan Dieguito , my little dear’. She urged him to go to the city and request that the bishop build a shrine to her, on the very place of her appearance: the site of the destroyed temple to the Aztec Mother goddess. This act would reveal the special love she had for the Indian people. Though he was a simple and poor man Juan Diego visited Bishop Zumarraga to impart this message but was dismissed as a dreamer. He returned to the hillside and said: ‘I am a nobody, a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf’. The vision then spoke these consoling words: ‘Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything. Three times she appeared; three times he begged for her shrine; three times he was turned away. When the Bishop asked for proof that she was the Mother of God, she told Juan Diego to pick the Castillian roses, impossible to exist in that climate, but growing in abundance nearby. Gathering them in his tilma, he opened his cloak in the presence of the Bishop. The peasant stood amazed at what happened next, for the bishop fell to his knees before him. He had seen the peasant’s Tilma emblazoned with the image of the Virgin exactly as Juan Diego had described her. Things then moved quickly and in thirteen days, a small chapel was completed in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Two years later a major church would built on the site.

The first record of our Lady’s apparition, called the Nican Mopohua or Huei Tlamahuitzoltica, was written in Nahuatl, the Aztec language, by the Indian scholar Antonio Valeriano around the middle of the 16th century. By 1541, according to Franciscan priest and early historian of New Spain, Father Motolinia, nine million Aztecs had become Christians. A Papal Bull, issued in 1754, declared Guadalupe the Empress of the Americas. The Basilica of Guadalupe was built in 1709 near the place of her appearance; and a vast modern church and complex was completed in 1976. At this Basilica on her feast day, celebrated on December 11th and 12th, over five million people come to celebrate her day. On display is the Tilma of Juan Diego, showing no sign of decay after 500 years. An estimated 10 million worshipers visit her Basilica annually, making it the most popular shrine to the Virgin Mary in the world, and second to Saint Peter’s in Rome as the most visited Catholic church. In July 2002 Juan Diego was declared a saint – the first indigenous saint of the Americas.

The origin of the name Guadalupe is fascinating and is found in  the translation from Nahuatl to Spanish of the words used by the Virgin to announce herself. The Nahuatl word of ‘coatlaxopeuh’ pronounced ‘quatlasupe’ is remarkably similar to the Spanish word Guadalupe. ‘Coa’ is interpreted as ‘serpent’, ‘tla’ is interpreted as ‘the’, ‘xopeuh’ means to crush or stamp out. The original Nahuatl translates as ‘the one who crushes the serpent’, (an allusion to Quetzecoatl, the serpent god-king of the Aztec religion). The original shrine of Guadalupe is in Extremadura in Spain, where a small, dark Madonna may be venerated to this day. The name Guadalupe here originates from the Arabic for ‘river of love’.

‘Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.’

(Words of Our Lady to Juan Diego on December 12, 1531)

OUR LADY OF CARDIGAN c.1158

2nd February

Full details may be found under the ‘chaplets available here’ tab.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES 1858

11th February

Full details may be found under the ‘chaplets available  here’ tab.

OUR LADY OF THE EUCHARIST

13th May

This devotion is said on the rosary

Commence on the crucifix making the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostle’s Creed

On the first bead: My God, I love You with my whole heart, I repent of ever having offended You. Never permit me to be separated from You again. Grant that I may love You always and then do with me what You will. Amen

On each of the three beads say: Ave Maria…

On the five single beads before each decade say: Hail Mary, O Mother of the Most Holy Eucharist, Help me to believe completely, Help me to love completely, Help me to live what I believe And love completely.

On each of the ten beads of every decade say: O Mother help me!

The Memorare is said either (I) following each decade or (II) at the conclusion of the five decades on the centrepiece saying: Dearest Mother, I believe that Jesus Christ, Your Son is truly present in the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. I believe that He is the Only Begotten Son of God, Who became Man to save me, a sinner. By partaking of this Most Holy Sacrament, I profess: that I believe in the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and that her teachings and sacraments were instituted by Christ. That because this is truly His Precious Body and Life-giving Blood, to receive Him in the state of grace, will bring healing to both my soul and body. But to knowingly receive Him in the state of mortal sin will bring my judgement and condemnation.

On the single bead of the pendant nearest the centrepiece say: Dearest Virgin of Virgins, I declare these truths before You as my witness, That You, who are the great Mother of God, may remember me before My Lord and Master, now and at the hour of my death. Amen

Conclude by saying once on each of the set of three beads: O Mother of the Most Holy Eucharist, Pray for us!

Imprimatur:Most Reverend Laines C.Timlin, D.D. Bishop of Scranton, USA. See The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist 4597 Warren Road Ann Arbor MI 48105. www.sistersofmary.org

In his Encyclical: The Church of the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II speaks of Mary as the Woman of the Eucharist and tells us that Mary and the Holy Eucharist go together. He writes: ‘Mary also anticipated, in the mystery of the incarnation, the Church’s Eucharistic faith when, at the visitation, she bore in her womb the Word made flesh, she became in some way a `tabernacle’ – the first `tabernacle’ in history – in which the Son of God, still invisible to our human gaze, allowed himself to be adored by Elizabeth, radiating his light as it were through the eyes and the voice of Mary.

And is not the enraptured gaze of Mary as she contemplated the face of the newborn Christ and cradled him in her arms that unparalleled model of love which should inspire us every time we receive Eucharistic Communion? Mary, throughout her life at Christ’s side and not only on Calvary, made her own the sacrificial dimension of the Eucharist.’

OUR LADY OF FATIMA I & II 1917

13th May

Full details may be found under the ‘chaplets available  here’ tab.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE 1981 -

no official feast Day – 24th June as First Vision

Commence on the Crucifix, making the Sign of the Cross and saying the Apostle’s Creed

On the single bead of the pendant say: Pater Noster…

On each of the three beads in the group say: Ave Maria…

On each single bead representing the Miraculous Vision of Our Lady say: Gloria Patri…

then announce one of the traditional Mysteries of one of the four groups of Mysteries of the Rosary – Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful or Glorious, followed by: Pater Noster…

Conclude on the crucifix saying: Praised be the Name of Jesus! May His Mother guide us in righteous paths and protect us from all evil!

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR c.1499

27th June

Full details may be found under the ‘chaplets available  here’ tab.

Below is a description of the elements of the icon.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL 1251

16th July

The Chaplet of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Carmelite Order – Petitionary Chaplet

Patroness of Chile, Bolivia, the Spanish Navy

Method I

Commence on the crucifix saying: O Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in this necessity. O Immaculate Virgin and Star of the Sea, help me and show me that thou art my Mother and Protector. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth. I humbly beseech Thee from the bottom of my heart to help me in my needs; for there are none who can withstand Thy grace. Pray for me and help me to obtain assistance in this life. Amen

On each of the first three beads say: Pater Noster… On each of the second three beads say: Ave Maria… On each of the third three beads say: Gloria Patri…

Method II

Commence on the medal saying: O Most Blessed and Immaculate Virgin, Ornament and Beauty of Mount Carmel, thou who beholdest with thy special kindness those who wear thy Blessed Scapular; look lovingly upon me, and cover me with the mantel of thy motherly protection. Fortify my weakness with thy power, enlighten the darkness of my understanding with thy wisdom. Increase faith, hope and charity in me. Adorn my soul with the graces and virtues that will make me pleasing to thee and thy Divine Son. Assist me during my life; console me at the hour of my death, and present me to the Most Blessed Trinity as thy devoted servant, to praise and bless thee in heaven for ever. Amen.

On each of the beads say: Ave Maria…

Method III

Commence on the crucifix saying: O Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in this necessity. O Immaculate Virgin and Star of the Sea, Help me and show me that Thou art my Mother.

On each of the first three beads say: Pater Noster… On each of the second three beads say: Ave Maria…  On each of the third three beads say: Gloria Patri…

Conclude on the medal saying: O Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity (mention your petition). O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that thou art my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth, I humbly beseech Thee from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this necessity: There are none that can withstand thy power; O show me herein that thou art my Mother.

Elijah at Carmel

The origins of the Order of Carmelites are obscure, however, towards the end of the twelfth or beginning of the thirteenth century a group of anonymous hermits journeyed to Mt Carmel in the Holy Land with the intention of living a life of contemplation and prayer in the caves on Mt Carmel. This location made them almost spiritual heirs to the great contemplative prophet Elijah of the 8th century BC, who had held the remarkable contest with the false priests of Ba’al on this same mountain and indeed himself waited here in a cave for the ‘still small voice’ of God to send rain upon the earth following the three year drought. (I Kings 18) The hermits would habitually refer to Elijah as their father and sought to imitate his prophetic vocation by living intimately with God and bearing witness to Him. Elijah’s words: ‘The Lord God lives, before whose Face I stand’ and ‘ I have been zealous for the Lord God of Hosts’ express the spirit of Carmelite contemplation and apostolic zeal. Devotion to Our Lady was no less profound. Putting themselves under her protection they built a chapel in her honour and were soon known as the hermits of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel. Around 1154 is the period usually assigned to the founding of this Order by Saint Berthold, a Crusader knight who had made a vow before battle that, if victorious ,he would embrace the Religious Life. Following victory he obediently became a monk in Calabria. Elijah appeared to him and revealed something which led Berthold to travel to Palestine and there take up his abode on Mount Carmel. An eyewitness, John Phocas wrote; ‘Some years ago, a white haired monk, who was also a priest, came from Calabria, and through a revelation from the prophet Elias, established himself in this place. He enclosed a small portion of the ruins of the monastery, and built a tower and a little church, assembling in it about ten brothers, who, with him, inhabit at present this holy place’ A continuity of purpose with earlier settlements of hermits is clear. It is certain that at the beginning of the thirteenth century a group petitioned Saint Albert, the Patriarch of Jerusalem to formulate a Rule by which they were already living. Subsequently around the year 1209 these hermits received a short and biblically based Rule which, to this day inspires all Carmelites to be faithful to their mystical tradition of prayer in the Church. The Rule was one of extreme asceticism, absolute poverty, solitude  and total abstinence from flesh. Sadly, Saracen persecution during the period of the Crusades destroyed the monastic community on Mt Carmel and forced the young Order to return to Europe where it established communities based on the original setting of Mt Carmel. The solitary life indeed gave way to community life but a strong emphasis on the solitary spirit in the lives of the brothers  was retained.

The Vision

In 1241, one Baron de Grey, returning to England from the Crusades, brought a group of hermits with him to found a community in a manor house at Aylesford, Kent. Here, ten years later on 16th  July 1251, Saint Simon Stock (c.1165-1265) would receive the now famous Apparition of Our Lady of the Scapular. The relocation to Europe had caused conflict within the Order, with the emergence of opposition to the necessary changes to the pattern of life that had been set down at Mt Carmel. In addition, outside the Order the Carmelites were meeting with jealousy and opposition from some clergy and other older and more settled Orders. In the face of these trials Saint Simon continually petitioned Our Lady for aid. In particular he used the prayer ‘Flos Carmeli’ which he himself had authorised for use: ‘O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Most Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Holy and Singular, who brought forth the Son of God, Still ever remaining a Pure Virgin; assist us in our necessities, O Star of the Sea. Help and protect us, show us that you are our Mother.’ After he repeatedly offered this prayer, the Virgin appeared, holding in her hands the Scapular of the Order. Handing to Simon the brown woollen Scapular she said: ‘This shall be a privilege for you and for all Carmelites, that whoever dies clothed in this shall not suffer eternal fire; rather he shall be saved’ A Scapular was already in use by the monks as an outer covering hanging down front and back whilst they worked. Now it was to represent not only their labour for Mary and the Church, but a sign of her heavenly protection. Little is known of the early life of Simon Stock, though legend has it that he began to live the life of a hermit at the young age of twelve. He joined the Carmelites soon after their arrival in England and rose to become a prominent member of the Order; living for some time both at Rome and on Mount Carmel. In 1247 he was elected to serve as the sixth General of the Carmelities at about 82 years of age. He proceeded to revise the Rule, thus making the Order of Hermits into a body of Mendicant Friars with a teaching and preaching apostolate, whilst retaining their traditional contemplative emphasis. Pope Innocent IV approved this Rule. Saint Simon founded many monasteries and his death occurred at one of these; the Carmelite monastery in Bordeaux, on 16th May 1265. In 1951 the relic of his skull was returned to Aylesford to the restored Carmelite monastery. Though never formally canonised, he has been venerated within the order since at least 1564.

Teresa of Avila  1515-1582

An Order of Carmelite Sisters was founded in the Low Countries in 1452 before spreading rapidly through France,Italy and Spain. The laxity into which both male and female Orders fell during the sixteenth century resulted in the reform of Saint Teresa of Avila; awas a prominent reformer of the Order in 16th century Spain. This Teresian Reform captured the essence of the spirit of the original Rule and in 1562 she established the first monastery of this Reform, known as the Discalced (or barefoot) Carmelites, with the support of her protege Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591). She would later extend this reform in the foundation of  male communities, and between 1567 and 1582 no less than seventeen monasteries for nuns and fifteen for friars came into existence.

The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

During the latter years of the fourteenth century the Carmelite Order began to celebrate the occasion of Saint Simon Stock’s vision. In 1587 Pope Sixtus V approved the Feast within the Order. In 1600 Our Lady of Mt Carmel, celebrated on 16 July, became the Patronal Feast of the Carmelites. This Feast was extended to Spain and her dominions in 1674, finally, in 1726 The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel became a celebration of the whole church.

The Scapular

The familiar brown Scapular is simply the Carmelite habit in miniature form and is worn by those who associate with the Carmelite tradition of spirituality and belong to the Third Order and Confraternity of the Brown Scapular. The significance of the Scapular lies in the concept of the motherhood and protection of Mary. It is worn as a means of consecrating oneself to Our Lady and of sharing in the spiritual heritage of Carmel. Members are enrolled into the Confraternity by a priest and admitted to ‘all the masses, prayers and good works performed by the religious of Mt Carmel.‘ The Brown Scapular is enriched with Indulgences which may be gained on the following feast days associated with the Order: 1. Day of Enrolment 2. Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel 3. Feast of St Simon Stock 4. Feast of St Elias the Prophet 5. Feast of St Teresa of Avila 6. Feast of St Teresa of the Child Jesus 7. Feast of St John of the Cross 8. Feast of All the Saints of Carmel. A Plenary Indulgence may be gained: By Confession,Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions. A promise or renewal of promise to faithfully observe all the obligations attached to membership in the Confraternity or Third Order. In order to gain the Indulgence for the Feast of Carmel one must visit a Carmelite Church, Oratory or semi – public Oratory and recite Pater Noster and the Creed. The Indulgence is attached to the use of the Scapular and not to the Scapular itself.

OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA 9th cent.

16th July

Chaplet Text

Patroness of the Navy of Argentina Petitionary chaplet

Commence on the Medal of Our Lady saying:

Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Immaculate Virgin, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in this my necessity, O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that thou art my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth; I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart to succour me in this necessity; for there are none who can withstand thy grace. Amen

On the next three single beads of the pendant say in turn: Pater Noster… Ave Maria… Gloria Patri… The Intentions for the first three beads are for those who minister in the Church, the Pope, the Diocesan Bishop, your own Parish Priest.

On each of the twelve beads, representing the twelve stars of our lady’s Crown say: Ave Maria … Our Lady, Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Sweet Mother I place this cause in thy hands. (mention your petition here)

This Chaplet is used by the Confraternity of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Morgan City, Louisiana, USA

Stella Maris – Star of the Sea

Stella Maris or Star of the Sea is an ancient and venerable title of Our Lady, long used to invoke her aid and protection by those who travel or work at sea. Our Lady Star of the Sea is the patroness of those who sail the seas and, according to Saint Bonaventura, is the one who guides those who navigate the sea of this world in the ship of innocence or penance safely to heaven. Saint Jerome is erroneously credited with the creation of the title Stella Maris as derived from the Hebrew name Miryam. This is the name by which Our Lady would have been known, and it may be translated as Stilla Maris or a drop of the sea. In his translation of Isaiah 40:15 Saint Jerome uses the latin word stilla (drop) to translate the Hebrew Mar. ‘Behold, the Gentiles are as a drop of a bucket …’

The use of the word Stella in place of Stilla appears to be the result of a confusion caused by contemporary Latin peasant usage where the vowel ‘e’ was commonly substituted for ‘i’. Despite an unsure origin the title Stella Maris may be seen as an allegory of the role and activity of Our Lady on our behalf. A biblical foundation may be seen in the account of the great Prophet Elijah, spiritual father of the Carmelite Order, watching in a cave on Mount Carmel and waiting for God to act. I Kings 18:41-45 recounts this anxious wait following the prophet’s announcement of rain for the parched and drought-blighted land of Israel. The land had been cursed due to Israel’s involvement with false religion and Elijah had destroyed the power of the priests of the heathen god, Ba’al in a dramatic contest on that very mountain. Israel had subsequently returned to the Lord, and the rain was awaited with eagerness. Finally Elijah sees a little cloud arising from the sea, no bigger than a man’s hand. It is this cloud that heralds the arrival of life-giving water. Allegorically the cloud may represent Our Lady Star of the Sea, heralding Her Son Jesus, the Source of life-giving water for all who turn to Him. (John 4:13 7:37) As the cloud brings with it the rain, so Mary brings Christ to the world. Paschasius Radbertus (d.865) Abbot of Corbie in France, writes: ‘Mary Star of the Sea must be followed in faith and morals lest we capsize amidst the storm-tossed waves of the sea. She will illumine us to believe in Christ born of her for the salvation of the world’. The eighth/ninth century hymn Ave Maris Stella and eleventh century Alma Redemptoris Mater illustrate the same theme, while the twelfth century Saint Bernard composed this exhortation: ‘If the winds of temptation arise; if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary. If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, call on Mary.’

The title Our Lady Star of the Sea is linked with the history of the Carmelite Order. Towards the end of the twelfth and the beginning of the thirteenth centuries a band of hermits began to live in the caves upon Mount Carmel. There is evidence of Christian activity here from the fourth century and the period in which the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, was active in researching Christian roots in Palestine. A monastic community appears to have been formed on Mount Carmel at this time. The origins of the Carmelite Order are found in these twelfth century hermits. In 1263 they built a monastery and church dedicated to the Virgin. This was sadly destroyed by the Saracens in 1291 during the Crusades. The present Church on Mount Carmel is dedicated to Our Lady Star of the Sea. Saint Simon Stock an English Carmelite who received the Vision of the Scapular, continually petitioned Our Lady for aid. In particular he used the prayer Flos Carmeli in which Our Lady is hailed as Star of the Sea: ‘O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Most Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, Holy and Singular, Who brought forth the Son of God, Still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, Assist us in our necessities. O Star of the Sea. Help and protect us; show us that You are our Mother.’

OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA

26th August

Chaplet Text

Commence on the crucifix saying: In Nomini Patris…

On the next three sets of beads say: Pater Noster…x3 Ave Maria…x3 Gloria Patri… x3

On the medal of Our Lady of Czestechowa say: O Almighty and Merciful God, You gave the Polish nation a wondrous help and defence in the most Holy Virgin Mary, and You honoured her sacred image at Jasna Gora with remarkable veneration of the Faithful: Grant, in Your Mercy that, under her protection we may struggle confidently throughout our lives and at the moment of death be victorious over our enemy. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Lady of Jasna Gora, our Mother, Queen of the Polish nation, trusting in Your maternal goodness and powerful intercession with Your Son, we place before You our humble prayers and petitions. To You we commend all our needs, in particular (mention here your need), our families and all children of the Polish nation, whether in their native land or elsewhere in the world.

see: MY TREASURY OF CHAPLETS (seventh Edition) by Patricia S. Quintiliani

History Of The Image And Shrine Of Our Lady Of Czestechowa At The Monastery Of Jasna Gora In Poland

The image of Our Lady, also known as the Black Madonna is venerated in the Monastery of the Pauline Fathers at Jasna Gora in the town of Czestochowa, north of Krakow, in Poland. The importance of this Monastery and its holy image in the spirituality, history and psychology of the Polish nation can hardly be over estimated. Through all the changes of foreign rule and during times when Poland ceased even to exist as a political entity, the Polish people gathered around this image and its shrine. Here, kneeling before the venerable and ancient image of Our Lady they found the strength and purpose necessary to survive and to thrive.

The Monastery at Czestochowa takes its name from the lofty hill upon which it stands; Jasna Gora (Bright Mountain). Here is found the Black Madonna, which tradition relates was one of two works painted by the Holy Apostle Luke upon a table top from the home of the Holy Family in Nazareth. This was seen as the table around which the Holy Family would gather to eat and to pray. One of the icons was taken west and is found at Bologna in Italy, the other was brought by the Emperor Constantine from Jerusalem to Constantinople. Six hundred years later this image was presented to Prince Lev of Rus in token of military services rendered. It is this second image that tradition claims as the same icon venerated today in Jasna Gora and art historians at least agree that the present image is indeed a Byzantine icon, dating however from between the sixth and ninth centuries AD.

In the 14th century a Polish prince, Wladislaw of Opole, found this icon in the castle of Belz whilst engaged in war with the Tartars who had just conquered nearby Rus. Claiming the icon, he presented it to the Pauline Fathers who had recently taken up residence on the hill of Jasna Gora. This Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit (Pauline Fathers) originated in Hungary and arrived at the hill they were to name Jasna Gora in 1382. In 1384 they enthroned the sacred image in a place of honour. This history of the image is found in the archives of the monastery in a manuscript entitled Translatio Tabulae 1474. In a short time the monastery became a place of pilgrimage and votive offerings. On 14th April 1430 Hussites from Bohemia, who hated the cult of Mary and the saints, robbed and desecrated the monastery and attempted to destroy the sacred Icon. It was attacked with a knife and left broken into three parts, the valuables and votive offerings were stolen and the image left in ruins. Piotr Risinus records in Historia Pulchra 1523 the restoration of the icon at the  Court of King Ladislaus Jagiello in Krakow. Unfortunately the techniques applied caused the loss of the original image. The image today is therefore a copy, albeit with the marks made by the Hussites reapplied to the face of the Madonna with striking results.

The monastery was to suffer further attacks through the centuries and it’s massive fortifications bear testament to the monks attempts to protect their heritage. On 8th September 1717, the feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin, a replica of the image was crowned by Pope Clement XI in Rome.  Following a robbery in 1909 in which robes and two papal crowns were stolen, Pope Pius X intervened sending two crowns. The image was again crowned by papal authority on 22nd May 1910. In the face of Bolshsevik aggression the Polish Hierarchy, meeting at Jasna Gora on 27th July 1920 pronounced Mary to be Queen of Poland. When the Russian Bolshevik army approached Warsaw, thousands of Poles flocked to their Queen to beg her intercession. Victory against the Bolsheviks on 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption was soon hailed as the Miracle on the Vistula River. On 4 June 1979 the Holy Father Pope John Paul II made his first papal visit to Jasna Gora made an Act of  Consecration of the Universal Church, The Polish Homeland and People to Our Lady; ’Mother I am all yours, and all that is mine is yours’.

Pronunciation: Czestochowa (Chensta chova), with the ‘ch’ of ‘chova’ sounded as in the Scottish ‘loch’.

Jasna Gora (Yasnah Gora), with a long ‘o’ in Gora sounded as in the English ‘door’.

Krakow (Krakov)

OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION 2nd cent.

Saturday following the 28th August – feast of St Augustine

Especially for Augustinian Tertiaries.

Also celebrated on 21^st Jan in Rome. 25^th May at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation (or the Afflicted) Ohio, USA and in Luxembourg. 7^th September, Consolata , Turin.

Commence on the medal saying:

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Let us devoutly recite this Corona for the good of the Church, imploring the aid of Our Lady of Consolation, our Holy Father Augustine and all the saints.

Let us pray: Direct, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations and carry them out by Thy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours begin from Thee and by Thee be happily ended, through Christ our Lord.

On each of the twelve beads following in turn  say:

The First Article: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. Let us consider how Almighty God created from nothing heaven and earth and all things. Most Holy Virgin, assist us to despise the vanities of earth, that we may obtain the everlasting rewards of heaven. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Second Article: And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. Let us consider that Jesus Christ our Lord is the true and only Son of the Eternal Father. Most Holy Virgin, help us to believe and hope in Him, and to love Him with all our hearts, because he alone is the true Saviour of the world. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be..

The Third Article: Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

Let us consider that Jesus is the true Son of Mary ever Virgin: She conceived Him in her most chaste womb by the operation of the Holy Spirit and brought Him forth without injury to her immaculate purity.

Most glorious Virgin, help us to recover and preserve the divine grace, that, as you are the natural mother of Jesus, we may be the adopted children of God. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Fourth Article: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.

Let us consider the passion, death and burial of our crucified Redeemer, tenderly consoling Him in our heart of hearts.

Most afflicted Mother of God, obtain for us, that the Wounds of our Blessed Lord may be always deeply impressed on our hearts. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Fifth Article: He descended into hell; the third day He rose again.

Let us consider that the soul of Jesus descended to the dead to liberate the holy Fathers, with whom He arose glorious the third day after His death.

O holy Virgin, consoled in seeing your Divine Son arisen, assist us to rise out from sin to a new life of grace and glory. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Sixth Article: He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.

Let us consider that Jesus, forty days after His resurrection, blessed His holy Mother, the Apostles and disciples and all the faithful who followed Him to Mount Olivet, in whose presence He ascended into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father.

O Blessed Virgin, assist us to humble ourselves and bear our cross here, that we may be afterwards exalted and enjoy eternal glory in heaven. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Seventh Article:  From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead

Let us consider that Jesus Christ will descend from heaven to judge the entire human race on the last day.

Holy Mary, advocate of sinners, assist us, that being faithful during life, we may reign with the elect on the Dreadful Day. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Eighth Article:  I believe in the Holy Ghost.

Let us consider the profound mystery of the Blessed Trinity, and with a lively act of faith let us believe, that as the divine Son was generated from eternity by the Father, so the Holy Ghost proceeds from eternity, from the Father and the Son, and with them is one God.

Most pure Virgin, obtain for us, from your divine Spouse, the Holy Ghost, an ardent charity, that our hearts, cleansed from all earthly affections, may burn with the fire of divine love. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Ninth Article:  The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints.

Let us consider that God, in His infinite goodness, without any merit of ours, caused us to be born and brought up in the bosom of the Catholic Church. It is in the Church we participate in the infinite merits of Christ and the Saints.

Most holy Virgin, assist us to thank Him for so great a favour, and to be ready, if necessary, to shed our blood to confess the truth of our holy Faith. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Tenth Article:  The Forgiveness of sins.

Let us consider that the Divine goodness is infinitely greater than our sinfulness, and that God can remit the faults we miserable sinners commit.

Most pure Virgin, obtain for us true contrition for our sins, both now and at the hour of our death, that, reconciled with God, we may afterward feel the happy effects of the divine mercy. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Eleventh Article:  The Resurrection of the Body.

Let us consider that on the day of the General Judgment we shall all rise again, each receiving his or her own body.

O Immaculate Virgin Mary, may (the Holy Cincture of Consolation or) your powerful intercession preserve us from carnal impurities that we may appear spotless and unsullied on that glorious day Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

The Twelfth Article:  And the Life Everlasting.

Let us consider the ultimate end of man or our ultimate end namely, the everlasting life prepared by God for His faithful servants.

O most prudent Virgin, assist us to make good use of our time now, that we may obtain hereafter the eternal joys. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

On the final bead say:

Finally let us consider the sacred humanity of our divine Redeemer, who for love of us shed His most Precious Blood and laid down His life amidst the cruel torments and mockery of His enemies.

O holy Mother of God, assist us to meditate with fruit on the (Sacred Cincture we wear, as it is an emblem of your  Divine Son, our Blessed Redeemer.) or image of your Divine Son upon the cross. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be…

Prostrate at your feet, O most holy Mary, Mother of Consolation, we recommend to you the preservation and protection of our Holy Father, Pope N. and our Bishop N.. We ask you to protect the Holy Catholic Faith by your prayers, extirpating heresy, establishing peace  among Christian rulers and all the faithful, and above all the conversion of poor sinners and the relief of the suffering souls in Purgatory.

Hail holy Queen, mother of mercy! hail our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! V. Pray for us O Holy Mother of Consolation, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. V. Pray for us, O Holy Father Augustine, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

History Of The Devotion Of Our Lady Of Consolation

The Augustinian traditions draws inspiration from an ancient account of the distress of a mother for her wayward son. The story concerns Saint Monica (c.331-387) shedding constant tears for her wayward son, Saint Augustine, who would later record that these tears prompted his conversion. Confiding her distress to our heavenly Mother, Monica was privileged to receive a vision in which Our Lady appears dressed in mourning robes but wearing a shining black leather cincture, or belt. Removing the cincture Mary gives it to Monica and directs her to wear it and to widely encourage its use. Saint Monica related this occurrence to Saint Ambrose and Saint Simplicianus and both saints girded themselves with a copy of the belt she described. Saint Ambrose is said to have girded Saint Augustine with the belt later when he baptised him. Monica therefore is said to have given the cincture to her son and he in turn gave it to his community. Hence the Augustinian custom of wearing the cincture as a token of fidelity to Our Lady of Consolation.

The feast is celebrated by Augustinians on 4th September. In 1439 Pope Eugene IV granted the status of Confraternity to the Augustinians who wore this belt and completed the devotions including the Chaplet. In 1575 pope Gregory XIII raised the Confraternity to the rank of an Arch - Confraternity and the practice of the Cincture and the Chaplet spread rapidly throughout Europe. An image of Our Lady holding the Child Jesus, who Himself holds the end of a cincture in His right hand, also became popular at this time. However, the custom of prayer to Mary as Consoler actually dates to the early centuries of the Church, with the first extant written evidence for such practice is dated between 300-540 and written upon papyrus in Greek: ’Beneath the shelter of thy tender compassion we fly for refuge, O Mother of God. Do not overlook our supplications in adversity but deliver us out of danger.’ familiar also in Latin from the opening words Sub Tuum Praesidium: Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, sancta Dei Genetrix; nostras deprecationis ne despicias in necessitatibus nostris, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta’.

Origins of the Title

The title of Our Lady of Consolation, under which the Mother of God is specially honoured  is one that has long been in use in the Church.  In France the dioceses of Vannes, Valence, Montpelier, and many others, possessed churches or chapels dedicated to Our Lady, under a name so peculiarly fitted to inspire confidence. In Britain, before the Reformation, the same devotion towards Our Lady had existed, and altars were erected in her honour under the same title.  ‘When John Knox began his work of demolition, there was’, says Father Bridget, ‘in the Church of St. John the Baptist at Perth, an altar inscribed to ‘St. Mary of Consolation…one of the many titles under which Our Lady was honoured through England and  Scotland was that of  Our Lady of Consolation.’

The Church seems every-where to have addressed to her children, the words of St. Sour, founder of the Abbey of Tarasson, in the sixth century, who, when  the  poor, the  sick, the unhappy, had recourse to his protection, replied, pointing to the neighbouring shrine: ‘Go and seek Our Lady of Consolation’.  But of all the sanctuaries dedicated to Mary under this invocation, the most widely celebrated is the shrine of our Lady of Consolation at Turin. According to a venerable tradition confirmed by ancient writers, the original picture of ‘La Consolata’, at Turin, was painted by St. Eusebius of Vercelli, in the fourth century; and placed in the Church of St. Andrew of Turin by Bishop Maximus, in reparation for the blasphemies uttered against the Mother of God by Eutyches and his followers. However, the holy image seems subsequently to have been forgotten and neglected till 1004, when the Blessed Virgin herself appeared to Ardoin, Marquis of Torea and last king of Italy, bidding him rescue her image from obscurity.  He obeyed, and having restored the chapel which was attached to the Church of St. Andrew, he caused the picture to be placed with due reverence in its new shrine, where it was visited by multitudes of pilgrims, whose faith and piety were rewarded by countless miracles. According to the chronicle of St. Benignus of Fruttuaria, and to the Italia Sacra of Ferdinand Ughello, Abbot of the Order of Citeaux, the name of ‘Madonna Della Consolata’, or in English, ‘Our Lady of Consolation’ was given to that miraculous painting, by the express order of the Blessed Virgin, and the Sanctuary was erected at her own request. Towards 1080 however, foreign invasions and civil wars spread ruin and destruction throughout the country; to these scourges were added those of famine and pestilence, so that, according to the old historians, Turin became like a city of the dead.  Things were in this state when a fresh invasion of the Lombards completed the ruin of the unhappy city, its monuments were destroyed, its remaining inhabitants massacred, the sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation perished in the general destruction, and the holy image itself  was buried away among the ruins of its once magnificent shrine.

A new miracle was destined to bring it to light. In 1104, according to the historians of Our Lady of Consolation, the Mother of God appeared to a man born blind, named John, who lived at Briançon, in Dauphiné, and bade him, if he desired to obtain the gift of sight, start for Turin; and there seek for the miraculous picture formerly honoured under the name of ‘La Consolata’, and which now lay buried and forgotten among the ruins of the Chapel erected by King Ardoin.  The blind man, in his child-like confidence, begged his brothers to lead him immediately to Turin to begin his search.  But they treated his vision as a delusion, and scornfully refused to render him any assistance.  He then entreated a poor servant girl to be his guide; and she having consented, they set forth on their journey.  When they had arrived within a mile of Turin, the eyes of the blind man were suddenly opened, and he perceived a sun of extraordinary beauty and splendour shining over a ruined Chapel. Convinced that this was the spot where he was to begin his search, he bent his steps towards it, and though the gift of sight, miraculously given to him for a moment, was again withdrawn, he continued his road with unshaken confidence and joy. On reaching the ruin, he knelt down and prayed fervently; and shortly afterwards his sight was again restored, but this time to be withdrawn no more.  The Bishop of Turin, hearing of the miracle, hastened to the spot; a careful search was commenced and on the 2nd of June 1104, the picture of “La Consolata”, holding her Divine Son in her arms, appeared to the searcher’s impatient gaze.   The chapel was speedily rebuilt and the image, replaced in its honoured shrine, became the centre of an extraordinary concourse of pilgrims.  It would be too long to relate even briefly the many miracles by which Mary rewarded the piety of her clients and justified the title under which they invoked her assistance.  The history of the Sanctuary is a long chronicle of favours asked for and received; every form of ill – physical and moral – seems to have found its cure at the feet of the heavenly Comfortress, and in time of war and pestilence, her protection was extended in a miraculous manner over her faithful city.

In 1527, a Confraternity, which the Popes enriched with many privileges, was founded in honour of our Lady of Consolation and on the long roll of its members we find the names of Emmanuel the Great, Duke of Savoy; Catherine of Austria, daughter of Philip II, and Duchess of Savoy; and many other Princes and Princesses.  Notable among the pilgrims who more than once came to pray before the holy picture, was St. Francis de Sales. In 1704, the sixth centenary of the finding of the image, was celebrated with great solemnity, and, upon this occasion, it was placed in a new Chapel, where it still receives, at the present day, the homage of countless pilgrims.

Taken from an article at:http://www.consolation.org.uk/consolation.html

OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM 1061

24th September

Full details may be found under the ‘chaplets available  here’ tab.

OUR LADY – UNDOER OF KNOTS (Maria Knotenlöserin) c.1700

28th September

The Chaplet Of Our Lady – Undoer Of Knots/Maria Knotenlöserin

Commence on the Crucifix or Medal saying: Holy Mary, full of the Presence of God during thy life; thou didst accept, with great humility the holy will of the Father and the legacy of thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ; Evil never dared to entangle thee with its confusion. Since then, thou hast made intercession for all of our difficulties; with all simplicity and patience thou hast given us an example of how to untangle the knots in our lives; by being our mother for ever, thou dost arrange and make clear the path which unites us with Our Lord. Holy Mary, Mother of God and our Mother; with thy maternal heart untie the knots which entangle our lives. we ask thee to receive in thy hands (mention your intention here) and deliver us from the chains and confusions that have so restrained us; Blessed Virgin Mary, through thy grace, thine intercession and by thine example, deliver us from evil and untie the knots that keep us from uniting with God; So that, once free from every confusion and error, we may find Him in all things, have Him in our hearts, and serve Him always in our brothers and sisters.

Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us! Amen

On the three beads in each group say in turn: Pater Noster…x3. Ave Maria…x3. Gloria Patri…x3

found at: www.fleurdelismedia.com

Jungfrau Maria, Mutter der schönen Liebe, Mutter, die niemals ein Kind, das um Hilfe ruft, unerhört lässt. Mutter, deren Hände ohne Unterlass für ihre geliebten Kinder arbeiten, denn sie werden angeregt von der göttlichen Liebe und von der unendlichen Barmherzigkeit, die aus deinem Herzen überfliesst. Wende deinen Blick voller Mitleid mir zu. Sieh das Bündel der Knoten, die mein Leben ersticken. Du kennst meine Verzweiflung und meinen Schmerz. Du weisst, wie sehr mich diese Knoten lähmen. Allmächtige Mutter, durch deine Güte und deine Macht der Fürsprache bei deinem Sohn Jesus, meinem Befreier übernimm Du heute diesen Knoten (nenne ihn wenn möglich) Gott zur Ehre bitte ich Dich, löse ihn für immer. Ich hoffe auf Dich. Amen +

Origins

This unusually named Chaplet has been used in Europe and especially Germany for over three hundred years. It has its origin in a painting made by Johann Schmittdner depicting Our lady untying a knot showing Mary with a long white ribbon. (In traditional German wedding ceremonies a couple’s hands were bound in such a ribbon.) It seems a divorce loomed in a wealthy German family in the 1700s. A priest friend asked for this painting to be commissioned of our Blessed Mother undoing their “knots” of marital unhappiness. The couple eventually reunited and Johann Schmittdner’s painting was forgotten. The image shows Mary with a crown of 12 stars and a fluttering blue mantle. Around her are angels. Beneath her feet is the serpent — the one who ensnares and entangles. The inspiration for this theme is found in the writing of the Early Church Father, Saint Iraeneus: ‘Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; to the contrary, Mary, by her obedience, undid it.’ The painting may be now be found at the shrine in Perlach in Bavaria, Germany.

OUR LADY OF THE CAPE 1888

1st Sunday in October

Chaplet of Our Lady of the Cape (Notre Dame du Cap)

at the National Shrine, Canada

The Statue was given to the Shrine of Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, in 1854, the year of the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape, is located on the St Lawrence River in the town of Cap-de-la-Madeleine, midway between Montreal and Quebec and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, Queen of Canada.

Commence on the medal or crucifix saying: O Holy Virgin Mary, our most merciful Mother and powerful Queen, we thy children humbly prostrate before thee, implore thy grace and help. With confidence we come to thee, O Queen of the Holy Rosary; to thee do we turn our eyes. Bestow on us, we beg thee, this special favour which we ask . . . (here mention your petition). Grant us health of body and purity of soul: increase our faith and love so that we may know thy Divine Son better and serve Him ever faithfully. O tender and merciful Mother, intercede for those who are dear to us. Heal the sick, comfort the dying, and have pity on the Faithful Departed. Protect our families; guard our country; and keep holy Mother Church safe from all evil. Our Lady of the Cape, may we love thee more and more, so that one day, united with thee in Heaven, we may praise thy Son eternally. Amen.

On each bead of the three decades in turn say:

First decade: Pater Noster … x10

Second decade: Ave Maria … x10

Third decade: Gloria Patri … x10

This chaplet is found at www.catholictradition.org and has written below it: this page is dedicated to my sister-in-law, Bernadette, who provided the image and the chaplet.

The History

On 7 October 1535 the cross was planted by the French explorer Jaques Cartier. In the next century one Master Jaques de la Ferte, (a priest of St Marie Madeleine of Chateaudun, France) was given a plot of land called the Cape of Trois-Rivieres. Then in 1634 the Jesuits arrived and in 1651 Cartier  granted this land to the Society of Jesus  so that a mission might be initiated for the native Indians who gathered there each year to trade furs. In memory of its first owner the Jesuits gave the place the name  Cap-de-la-Madeleine. Three Rivers itself was a small trading-post consecrated to the Immaculate Conception by the Jesuits in 1634. Trade increased and the original settlement grew big enough to be divided with the newer part becoming known as Cap-de-la-Madelaine. Life there was harsh and in fact the first parish priest; Jaques Buteux was actually murdered there in 1652. It was the governor of Three Rivers who caused a church with a shrine to Our lady to be built around 1659 and a Confraternity of the Holy Rosary was later set up in 1694. As the congregation grew it was necessary to build a larger church in 1720.

The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was solemnly defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854 and the following year an anonymous benefactor gave a large statue of the Immaculate Conception which can be seen at the shrine. It is known as Our Lady of the Cape, Queen of the Holy Rosary: the image at the heart of the National Shrine of Canada. The Virgin being here depicted barefooted and trampling the head of the Serpent; the Second and obedient Eve.

The Pig and the Rosary

Unfortunately faith can wax but also wane. Devotion reached an all-time low on Ascension Day 1867 when, as the Parish Priest, Fr Desilets came to church he discovered that his congregation consisted of a single pig which was chewing upon a rosary! He subsequently capitalized on this when he preached his ‘Pig and the Rosary’ sermon which both shamed and moved the faithful so that the congregation began to increase once more! A new church was constructed in the 1870s using stone quarried and brought across the St Lawrence river. During the mild winter of 1879 it proved difficult to transport the stone which would normally be pulled across the ice on sleds. Fr Desilets prayed to Our Lady for a bridge of ice to remain. Though it was now mid-March and the winter was receding a great storm was created which indeed left a bank of ice. The prayer seemed to have been answered, and in thanksgiving the priest preserved the old chapel near to the new church and dedicated the altar there to Our Lady of the Rosary.

The Open Eyes

On 22 June, 1888, the evening of the dedication of the restored old chapel, a lame man;Pierre Lacroix was brought there by Frs Desilets and Frederic. In the chapel the three men experienced the strange phenomenon of the statue appearing to open its eyes whilst gazing into the distance with a countenance both sad and serious. The three men later signed an oath that they had all witnessed this sight. Pierre Lacroix wrote: ‘I went into the shrine at about seven o’ clock in the evening, accompanied by Vicar General Luc Desilets and the Reverend Father Frederic. I was walking between the two of them, helped by them. After praying for a while, I looked up at the statue of the Blessed Virgin which was facing directly towards me. As I did so, I saw most distinctly the statue with its eyes wide open in a most natural manner. I examined this closely without saying anything. Then Vicar General Desilets, leaving his place on my right, went across to Father Frederic and I heard him say, ‘Do you see it?’  ‘Yes’, said Father Frederic, ‘the statue has its eyes open, hasn’t it? But can this really be true?’ I then told them that I had seen the same thing. And I make this solemn declaration believing it in conscience to be true and knowing that it has the same force and effect as if it were made upon oath.’

Following the two miracles of the ice bridge and the statue the number of pilgrims and visitors increased from all over Canada. Fr Frederic went on to travel and preach throughout the Dominion and encouraged the bishop of the diocese to install Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate there at Cap-de-Madelaine to be the guardians of the Shrine. This was achieved when the Order arrived in 1902.

The Statue

The image holds a rosary made of olive wood from the Garden of Gethsemene. In 1904 the statue was presented with a golden crown and was crowned under the  authority of Pope Saint Pius X by the bishop of Trois-Rivieres. It remains the only crowned Virgin in Canada. The present Basilica was completed in 1964. Pope John Paul the Great made pilgrimage on 10 September 1984 and on 25 September 1988, Fr Frederic was beatified. The blessings of our Lady continue.

‘All generations will call me blessed’ The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is intrinsic to Christian worship. The Church rightly honours the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin Mary has been honoured with the title of ”Mother of God”, to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs … this very special devotion … differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration. The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an ‘epitome of the whole Gospel’, express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.’  Catechism of the Catholic Church (971)