A Promise Made, A Promise Kept

On Jan. 7, 1815, the women of the City of New Orleans huddled into the chapel at the Ursuline Convent in the French Quarter. They, with their young children in tow gathered with the Ursuline Sisters and then Bishop Louis DuBourg for Mass while the men of New Orleans joined General Andrew Jackson as they prepared for battle with the British military forces.

While the War of 1812 had technically come to a conclusion, news traveled slowly in the early 1800s and there is little doubt in the mind of historians that should the British have taken control of the mouth of the Mississippi River that the war between the United States and Great Britain would have re-errupted. There is also little doubt that the the British troops were better trained and far out numbered General Jackson's rag tag group of soldiers, pirates and citizen volunteers. If prayers were ever needed for a miraculous victory, this was truly that time.

During the night, the Superior, Mother Ste. Marie Olivier de Vezin, promised Our Lady that if Jackson and his men won, a Mass of Thanksgiving would be sung every year in memory of her saving help to the city on that day.

As the battle played out in the swamps of what is now Chalmette in the early morning hours of Jan 8, up river, Bishop DuBourg began Mass. Those gathered prayed fervently for God to spare the lives of their loved ones and for the city to be saved. Then, just as Mass was coming to its conclusion, a messenger came barreling through the door - the British had been defeated, New Orleans was safe.

This year on the feast day of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m., New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond will keep that promise made in 1815 and celebrate the Mass of Thanksgiving at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor (2701 State St., New Orleans). 

On display during the Mass will be the beautiful statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. In 1895, the statue, gilded in gold, was crowned by Decree of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII; and in 1928, the Holy See approved and confirmed the naming of Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Principal Patroness of the City of New Orleans and of the State of Louisiana.

On the website of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor it is written, "Standing in the central niche over the main altar on State Street, (Our Lady) welcomes all who come to honor her, to thank her for her intercession, and to pray for her help and protection, not only from global wars and devastating storms but, also, in overcoming greater enemies...poverty, illness, ignorance, racism, and violence."

All are welcome to the Mass to join their prayers with over 200 years of prayers invoking Our Lady of Prompt Succor's protection over New Orleans and its citizens.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us!