Our Lady of Dordrecht

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

August 4: Our Lady of Dordrecht, Holland, Shrine built by St. Santera

Our Lady of Dordrecht, in Holland, is located at west end of Voorstraat, & is also known as Grote Kerk or Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Chruch of Our Lady).
The name of Dordrecht comes from informal name of Dordt given to town by its inhabitants, combined with "drecht," which means "ford."
It became a major market city due to its strategic location.

According to tradition, it was built by Saint Sauters, also known as Saint Sura or Saint Santera, in about year 1300, on spot designated by an angel, as it is said, who was sent by Blessed Virgin.

Saint Sauters is said to have planned on building church when she only had 3 small coins in her purse, much as Saint Don Bosco later did in 19th Century.
The saint afterward received crown of martyrdom in same church where shrine was erected, as Saint Sura was said to have been murdered by builders of chapel out of greed because of her supposed wealth.

There is a legend that Saint Sura rose from dead after her murder.
There is a painting of Saint Sura in Church of Saint Nicholas holding a church in her hands as she looks up at a statue of Blessed Virgin holding Infant Jesus on her right arm.

To render her memory more celebrated, God caused a fountain to flow, after her death, which, through intercession of the Saint & recourse to Mary, cured fevers.
The healing water soothes troubled minds, brings relief to aching brows & strength to weakened limbs, as Mary’s sick children come for aid to her.

Dordrecht is oldest city in Holland, having been granted city rights by Count of Holland, William I, in year 1220.
The church was built in Gothic style, & is only one in Holland with stone vaulting.

The tower, at 122.3 meters tall, is the still tallest structure in city.
A total of 49 bells were installed in year 1949.
Charles the Bold, the last Valois Duke of Burgundy, is buried in choir space behind the high altar.

In 1568, Dutch revolted against Spain & King Philip II, & nearly all of Holland met at Dordrecht for what was called First Assembly of the Free States.

The church was already home of Michelangelo’s sculpture known as Madonna & Child, which had been donated to the church in year 1514.
Thankfully, it somehow survived ravages of French Revolution, as was returned to the church after being stolen by Nazis in World War II.