Our Lady of Good Deliverance

https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/our-lady-of-good-deliverance.html

December 16: Our Lady of Good or Happy Deliverance, brought from Madrid, Spain, to Saint Augustine, Florida (1565)

Institution of celebrated confraternity of Our Lady of Good Deliverance, in Church of Saint Stephen des Gres, at Paris, about year 1533, to which Gregory XIII granted ample indulgences in year 1581.

In our nation’s oldest city stand Shrine of Christian Motherhood, patroness for glorious ideas of a truly Christian home – Our Lady of Milk & Happy Deliverance, brought from Madrid, Spain, & now famous in United States.

This history of shrine begins in 1565 when Spaniards went ashore at what is now Saint Augustine, Florida.
On hallowed spot where first Holy Mass was celebrated, shrine of Our Lady was built.
A bright, smiling statue of Virgin, nursing the Infant, named La Leche (the milk) statue.

England wanted Spanish Florida & in 1765 it became her colony – a political pawn.
Twenty years later England returned Florida to Spain.
During these years Spanish had sought refuge in Cuba, taking with them all religious articles & treasures.

The Statue was taken aboard a refugee ship, which disappeared on sea. Returning to Florida in 1783, Spaniards prayed for their statue to be returned.

In 1822 Spain sold Florida to United States, & in 1875 the Church bought site of shrine.
Raids, massacres & land disputes didn't lessen devotion paid the Mother of God.

Their shrine was gone; their beautiful statue lost at sea. Still, Catholic mothers paid tribute to Mary.
For 2 centuries search for statue continued.
In 1938 Artist John Duer was commissioned to do a 2nd copy from original statue in Madrid, Spain.
The La Leche chapel also contains remains of Admiral Menendez, founder of Saint Augustine.

Every year on Low Sunday there is a solemn pilgrimage to shrine & statue is carried in procession.
More & more mothers & fathers from every state in union are joining pilgrimage each year.

They know need of more fervent devotion to Blessed Mother.
La Leche spans time – from era of faith in God & love of motherhood to our modern era of indifference to God & collapse of families.

Those who take part in this devotion express their belief in God as the Giver of Life & openly rebuke organizations advocating birth control.
They are fearlessly protesting against self-styled leaders who trample ideals of family life.

Today’s mothers must beg intercession from Our Mother Mary for preservation of Christian family.
They mush model their home life after that of Holy Family.

Not only will Virgin of La Leche help those who turn to her in pregnancy; she is anxious to aid all families, who desire to preserve glorious ideas of a truly Christian home.

Mary is the Mother of us all, & she will not refuse any favor, of whatever nature it might be; she will give us milk of her loving kindness in every need, just for the asking.