The Forgotten Madonna: Our Lady of Prompt Succor

175 Years Ago

By John P. Philip

It is a great anniversary. But, alas, most history books do not make note of the Blessed Virgin Mary's role in protecting the city of New Orleans 175 years ago this month—on January 8th, 1815, during the culminating battle of the War of 1812. But, for Catholics of the Crescent City, it is still well remembered. And—it was the second time that Our Lady of Prompt Succor had interceded for New Orleans.

The Ursulines had come to New Orleans in 1727, nine years after its founding. Their monastery was founded under the auspices of King Louis of France. A band of heroic nuns set sail on February 22, 1727 on the "Gironde" from the coast of Brittany, and arrived at their destination on August 7th. Their goal: to teach the children of the colonists, to instruct the Indian and Black peoples, and to nurse the sick in the hospital placed under their care.

One day to be the second greatest port in the world, New Orleans was still a tiny settlement on the banks of the Mississippi River—surrounded by swamp, bayou, the ever-fickle River and Lake Pontchartrain.

As the years passed, more Ursuline sisters came from France to fill the void created by death. But, in 1763, France lost the Seven Years' War to Great Britain, and all of her colonies on the North American mainland. The vast Louisiana territory was ceded to another Catholic power—Spain. And, now, the Ursulines coming to New Orleans came from that country.

In 1789, the terrors of Revolution began sweeping across France, and then, all of Europe—a cataclysm lasting some 25 years. With Louisiana regaining possession by France—now anti-Catholic—great excitement overcame the nuns from Spain. For they feared a repetition of the Reign of Terror—in Louisiana. Thus, on October 4th, 1802, the superioress, Mother St. Monica Ramos, who was from Havana, petitioned King Carlos IV of Spain, asking to be allowed to retire with her entire community to Havana. Indeed, she didn't even wait for an answer. With 15 sisters she left New Orleans on May 29th, 1803.

This left only seven Ursulines at the monastery. Still, these few heroic women of God, filled with confidence and zeal for souls, successfully maintained their boarding school, day school, and orphanage—and the courses of instruction for black women. But help was on the way.

A cousin of Mother St. Andre Madier—the superioress—had been driven from her monastery by the Reign of Terror. Her name was Mother St. Michel. She was highly talented and most pious. Her desire was to undo the damage of the French Revolution. It was not easy, for the Terror had left few holy women to survive. Having recently opened a flourishing academy for young girls in France, who should call on her aid but her cousin in distant New Orleans? Obstacles had to be overcome if she was to go to Louisiana—and, here, Our Lady of Prompt Succor miraculously intervened.

What could she do? A sister of her superlative qualities was so needed in a France gutted by the Godless Revolution. A woman of no ordinary ability, she had already been quite a success at her endeavor of resurrecting the Faith in France. When her spiritual director was consulted on the matter of her going to Louisiana, and when she directly appealed to her bishop, he told her flatly: "The Pope alone can give this authorization."

How could this be? Pope Pius VII was still a prisoner of Napoleon. From Rome, he had yet to be dragged to Fountainbleau. No one was allowed to communicate with the imprisoned Holy Father. Thus, it would be most foolish to write to him and expect and answer.

Nevertheless, that is what Mother St. Michel did, on December 15th, 1808. She told him that his word to her would be obeyed, for "you are the voice of the Lord."

Three months passed without the opportunity of even sending the letter! Then, one day, Mother St. Michel was praying before a statue of the Blessed Virgin. And, she felt inspired to utter this prayer: "O Most Holy Virgin Mary, if you obtain a PROMPT SUCCOR and FAVORABLE answer to my letter, I promise to have you honored in New Orleans under the title of OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR."

The Blessed Virgin was obviously quite pleased with this prayer: for the letter left for Rome on March 19, and an answer was received on April 28, 1809. The Holy Father—in spite of his captivity and the deplorable state of the Church in France, gave his approval, and praised the Ursulines for their great work in Louisiana.

Bishop Fournier gave his approval—and his blessing to the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, which Mother St. Michel had ordered to be carved. That statue would be the protection of the sisters in their voyage to New Orleans. She arrived on December 30, 1810; the precious statue was solemnly installed in the Convent Chapel—and ever since, devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor has spread over New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the United States. How many favors has she granted under this sublime title? In New Orleans, they can tell you. But two of historical importance are most worthy of note.

Devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor was just beginning to pervade New Orleans, when, in 1812, a terrible fire—the third in a quarter-century—ravaged the city. To state it bluntly, the wind was blowing in the wrong direction—toward the convent! The danger was imminent, so order was given to leave the cloister. Just then, Sister Anthony, a lay sister, placed a small replica of the statue recently brought to Louisiana by Mother Michel on a window sill facing the fire. Mother St. Michel prayed aloud: "Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we are lost, unless you hasten to our help." Again, Mary quickly acted. The wind suddenly changed direction, and the convent and its vicinity were out of danger. The flames went out. Those who witnessed this miracle cried out: "Our Lady of Prompt Succor has saved us!"

More than two years passed. With Napoleon apparently defeated in Europe, the British now turned all their might against the fledgling American republic in an attempt to end two years of stalemate in the War of 1812. Unknown to people in North America, a treaty ending the war had been signed the day before Christmas in Ghent, Belgium by diplomats from both countries. But neither government had ratified the treaty. And the outcome of any further military engagements could alter the map of North America, or even scuttle the treaty altogether.

The British planned to capture the big prize: New Orleans. With such a victory, they would win the Mississippi Valley, prevent the further westward expansion of American territory, and nullify the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. With nearly 10,000 veterans of the Napoleonic Wars advancing upon New Orleans, the situation for the Americans looked hopeless.

Major General Andrew Jackson was rushed from fighting Indians in Alabama to the doomed city of New Orleans. British naval forces met defeat in late December on the waters of nearby Lake Bourgne, but the British army continued its advance. Jackson put together a peculiar defense force of American regulars; militia from the states of Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky; frontiersmen—and even pirates who roamed the local waters of the Louisiana coast. And, with cotton bales for fortifications on the Chalmette plantation, he waited with his outnumbered force for the advancing British.

In the meantime, on the eve of battle, panic seized New Orleans. The women of the city fled to the Ursuline Convent chapel. There, with the nuns, they spent the night in prayer before the beautiful statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. On the morning of January 8th, Very Reverend William Dubourg, the Vicar General—and later Bishop of New Orleans—offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the main altar just below where the statue had been placed. And the Ursulines, through Mother Sainte Marie Olivier de Vezin, the Superioress, made a vow to have a Mass of Thanksgiving sung every year if the Americans were victorious.

During the course of that Mass—covering only 20 incredible minutes—the Americans crushed a far superior British army at Chalmette. More than 2,000 British fell, with only 13 American meeting the same fate. Such a stunning victory is one of the most lopsided in military history. And word of the American victory reached the chapel at the very moment of Communion! After Mass Father Dubourg intoned a Te Deum, which all sang most enthusiastically. For who could doubt, yet again, the immediate intervention of Our Lady of Prompt Succor? Indeed, General Jackson himself did not hesitate to acknowledge Divine aid to his men. He himself came in person, with his staff, to thank the nuns for storming Heaven on his behalf. And, for 175 years, the Ursuline nuns have kept their promise.

The devotion spread. Pope Pius IX placed the Holy See's stamp of approval on the devotion, conferring special privileges upon it. On September 27th, 1851, the Papal decree authorized the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the singing of yearly Mass each January 8th. In 1894, Pope Leo XIII enriched with numerous indulgences the Confraternity of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Three years later, he raised the Confraternity to the rank of an Archconfraternity.

The splendid coronation of the statue, the very first in the United States, took place on November 10, 1895—in the name of Pope Leo XIII.

January 8th, 1911 saw the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the statue's arrival in Louisiana. In 1924, also on the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, Archbishop John William Shaw blessed and dedicated the new National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. It was a day of religious pomp, enthusiasm and wondrous beauty as this magnificent work of Catholic art was elevated yet higher. Four years later, marking 200 years of arduous Ursuline work in Louisiana, the solemn Consecration of the new Shrine took place.

In that same year, at the request of the Archbishop of New Orleans, and the bishops of Alexandria and Lafayette, the Holy See approved and confirmed the choice of Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Principal Patroness of the City of New Orleans, and of the entire State of Louisiana, with January 15th as the patronal feast.

What more can we say? May devotion to Mary under her most hopeful title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor spread far and wide! For, how great and pressing, indeed, are our needs today. Can we not expect much from her amidst all our hopes in this vale of tears? For her power equals her love. And so should our confidence be without bounds.