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MAN UAL
of the

Pilgrim to the Shrine of Our

Lady of Prompt Succor

URSULINE CONVENT
2635 State Street New Orleans 15, La.





MANUAL
OF THE

Pilgrim to the Shrine of

Our Lady of Prompt

Succor

URSULINE CONVENT

2635 State Street New Orleans 15, La.



IMPRIMATUR

^ JOS. F. RUMMEL,

Archbishop of New Orleans,

October 22, 1937.

Nihil Obstat.

FRANCIS LEON GASSLER,

Cens. Libr.

October 18. 193^



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE

MIRACULOUS STATUE OF

OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR

The Ursuline Monastery of New Orleans,

La., was founded under the auspices of Louis

XV, King of Prance, by a band of French Ur-

sulines, who, on February 22, 1727, set sail on

the Gironde^’ from Lorient, a port of Brit-

tany, and reached the Crescent City on the

morning of August the 7th of the same year.

Almost immediately after their arrival, the

good Nuns began to teach the children of the

Colonists, to instruct the Indian and Negro

races and to nurse the sick in the Hospital

placed under their care. As the years rolled

by, reinforcements came from Prance to fill

the voids occasioned by death; but in 1763,

when Louisiana became a Spanish possession,

the Ursuline Community then had to recruit

its subjects from that nation. In 1800, how-

ever, Louisiana having been retroceded to

Prance, great excitement reigned among the

Spanish Religious, who feared a repetition in

the Colony of the recent horrors of the French

Revolution. Therefore, on October 4, 1802,



the superioress, Mother St. Monica Eamos, a

native of Havana, addressed a petition to

Charles IV, King of Spain, requesting the

favor to retire with her Community to her

native city; and, without waiting for the royal

answer, she, with fifteen Religious, left the

Monastery of New Orleans on May 29, 1803.

Only seven Ursulines now remained; yet, full

of confidience and zeal, they successfully

maintained their Boarding School, Day School

and Orphanage, as well as their courses of in-

struction for negresses. It was at this time

that Mother St. Andre Madier felt inspired

to appeal to a cousin of hers, an Ursuline in

France, whom the Reign of Terror had driven

from her Monastery.

Agathe Fran^oise Gensoul, in Religion,

Mother Si, Michel, was not only a person of

culture and refinement, but was also highly

talented and remarkably pious. Although ex-

pelled from her Convent of Pont-Saint-Esprit,

and compelled to conceal even her title of Re-

ligious, she continued to cherish and foster the

spirit of her holy vocation; and, at the first

indication of religious toleration, she hastened

to resume her apostolic labors with renewed

.ardor, endeavoring to repair the havoc

wrought by the French Revolution. The task

— 4—



was not an easy one, as the guillotine, exile

and untold privations had severed the earthly

ties of nearly all her former Sisters in Re-

ligion, and to try to reunite the few that re-

mained was utterly impossible. Yet, remem-

bering that as an Ursuline she was in duty

bound to devote her life to the instruction of

youth, she determined to open in Montpellier,

conjointly with Miss Sophie Ricard, another

Ursuline, a boarding-school for young girls.

This flourishing academy was fully realizing

all the hopes which the Bishop of the Diocese

had placed in it, when Mother St. Michel re-

ceived from Mother St. Andre Madier, her

cousin in Louisiana, the letter stating the

penury of subjects in the New Orleans Con-

vent, and which impelled her to abandon her

own works of zeal to go to the relief of her

Sisters across the Atlantic.

Numerous and almsot insuperable obstacles

stood in the way to debar Mother Gensoul

from responding to her cousin’s appeal; but

these difficulties merely served to show forth

more conclusively the miraculous intervention

of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, as the follow-

ing facts prove.

France was just issuing from the Revolu-

tion; ruins lay on all sides. As there had been

— 5—



neither Priest nor Sister to teach the young,

the rising generation was encompassed by the

appalling gloom of religious ignorance, dev-

asted Monasteries, profaned Churches and

desecrated Altars. A woman like Mother St
Michel was a treasure for her country, for she

was a person of no ordinary ability; and as

her work as a teacher had already been

crowned with wonderful success, her Bishop

would not even think of dispensing with her

services. When her Spiritual Director was

consulted on the subject of her leaving for

Louisiana, he would give no answer; and when

Mother Gensoul applied directly to Bishop

Fournier, the Prelate gave expression to his

surprise, grief and firm opposition in these

forceful words: ^‘THE POPE ALONE CAN

GIVE THIS AUTHOEIZATION.'' . . . ‘‘THE

POPE ALONE! These words were equiva-

lent to a determined refusal, for the Pope was

in Borne. The distance was great; menns of

communication then were not what they are

today; and, moreover, Pius VTI was a real

captive at Borne, held in custody by Napoleon

and awaiting to be dragged to Fontainebleau.

The gaolers of the August Prisoner had re-

ceived strict injunctions to prevent all inter-

course, even by letter, with the Vicar of

— 6—



Christ; coiii&equently, writing to the Pope and

expecting an answer from him were, seem-

ingly, acts of folly. Nevertheless, on Decem-

ber 15, 1808, Mother St. Michel wrote to the

Sovereign Pontiff. Having set forth her mo-

tives for wishing to go to New Orleans, she

concludes thus: ‘^Most Holy Father, I appeal

to your apostolic tribunal. I am ready to sub-

mit to your decision. Speak. Faith teaches

me that you are the voice of the Lord. I await

your orders. or TSTAY,^ from Your Holi-

ness, will be the same to me.’^

The letter had been written three months

and no opportunity for sending it had yet pre-

sented itself, when, one day, as Mother St.

Michel was praying beforo a statue of Mary,

she felt inspired to address the Queen of

Heaven in these words: Most Holy Virgin

Mary, if you obtain a PEOMPT and FAVOE-

ABLE answer to my letter, I promise to have

you honored in New Orleans under the title

of OUE LADY OF PEOMPT SUCCOE.’^ As

an undeniable proof that Mother GensouHs

trustful prayer was pleasing to Her, and that

She really wished to be honored in New

Orleans under this appellation, Mary quickly

performed the two miracles laid down as con-

ditions by Mother St. Michel; for the letter

— 7 —



left Montpellier on March 19, 1809, and the

answer is dated Rome, April 28, 1809. This

first condition of a “prompt” reply is all the

more miraculous owing to the above given

reasons of the captivity of the Pope. The sec-

ond condition is no less marvelous, for we

must bear in mind that Pius VII knew the

state of affairs in Prance and the need of

apostles like Mother St. Michel to regenerate

it; and yet he does not hesitate to approve of

her leaving for the New World, as the follow-

ing extract from Cardinal Di Pietro’s letter

shows:

Madame, I am charged by Our Holy

Father, Pope Pius VII, to answer in his name.

His Holiness cannot do otherwise than ap-

prove of the esteem and attachment you have

fostered for the Religious state, and the spirit

of the Institute of St. Ursula you have main-

tained. The Holy Father experienced the

greatest consolation on learning that a Mon-

astery of so useful an Ordter as that of the

Ursulines, and which has rendered such signal

services to the Church, is established in Louis-

iana, and that piety, peace, and the most exact

regularity reign therein. His Holiness ap-

proves of your placing yourself at the head of

your religious aspirants, to serve as their

— 8—



guide during the long and difficult voyage

you are about to undertake. . . .

The two conditions of a “prompt*' and a

“favorable" reply had been fulfilled by Mary.

Bishop Fournier was so surprised at this truly

miraculous issue that he acknowledged himself

vanquished, and requested the privilege of

blessing the statue of Our Lady which Mother

Gensoul had ordered to be carved, according

to her promise, and) which was to be the pro-

tection of the pious missionaries on their voy-

age across the Atlantic. On their arrival in

New Orleans, December 30, 1810, this precious

statue was solemnly installed in the Convent

Chapel, and from that time the homage and

veneration offered to Mary under the title of

“OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR" has

been constantly growing in our city and state

and spreading far and wide all over the United

States.

It does not come within the sphere of this

brief sketch to relate all the favors, both

spiritual and temporal, wrought through the

intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

during the past one hundred years and more.

The Chronicles of the Ursuline Monastery

sum up these graces by saying: “Under this

title, the Most Blessed Virgin has so often

— 9—



manifested her power and goodness, that the

Eeligious have unbounded confidence in Her.’'

Two historical facts are especially worthy

of notice here: The fire in 1812, and the Vic-

tory of Chalmette in 1815. Devotion to Our

Lady of Prompt Succor was only beginning to

be known in New Orleans when, in 1812, a

terrible fire ravaged the city. The wind rapid-

ly drove the flames towards the Convent,

and the danger being imminent, order was

given to leave the cloister. Just then, Sr. An-

thony, a lay Sister, placed a small statue of Our

Lady of Prompt Succor on a window sill facing

the fire, and Mother St. Michel prayed aloud:

‘‘Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we are lost, un-

less you hasten to our help.” Instantaneously,

the wind changed, the Convent and environs

were out of danger, and the flames extin-

guished. Witnesses of this prodigy cried out

unanimously: “Our Lady of Prompt Succor

has saved usI”

Jackson’s glorious victory over the British

in the Battle of New Orleans, fought on the

Plains of Chalmette, January 8, 1815, is

another signal favor rightly attributed to the

all-powerful intercession of Our Lady of

Prompt Succor. Before the combat, in order

to obtain God’s blessing upon the American

— 10—



arms, the weeping, terror-stricken wives,

mothers, daughters and sisters of Jackson's

valiant little band spent the night of January

the 7th in prayer before the statue of Our

Lady of Prompt Succor, in the Ursuline

Chapel. On the morning of January the 8th,

Very Eev. William Dubourg, Vicar General,

and later Bishop of New Orleans, offered! the

Holy Siacrifice of the Mass at the Main Altar

above which the statue had been placed, and

the Ursulines, through their Superioress,

Mother Ste. Marie Olivier de Vezin, made the

vow to have a Mass of Thanksgiving sung an-

nually should the Americans be victorious. At

the moment of Communion, a courier rushed

into the Chapel, announcing the glad tidings

of the enemy's defeat. After Mass Father

Dubourg entoned the Te Deum, which was

sung in enthusiastic accents of the liveliest

gratitude; for no one could reasonably doubt

of the miraculous intervention of Our Lady of

Prompt Succor. Jackson himself did not hesi-

tate to admit of a Divine interposition in his

favor, and came in person to the Convent, ac-

companied by his staff, to thank the Nuns for

their prayers in his behalf. The vow made

by the Ursulines has been faithfully kept

throughout these long years.

— 11—



Rome has officially approved ^‘DEVOTION

TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR/’
Most precious documents have, at different

times, emanated from the Holy See, placing

the Seal of Holy Church on this devotion and

conferring special privileges upon it. On Sep-

tembre 27, 1851, His Holiness, Pius IX, gra-

ciously authorized the celebration of the feast

of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the sing-

ing of the yearly Mass of Thanksgiving on

January the 8th. A twofold favor all the more
remarkable owing to the annually recurring

“Privileged Octave of the Epiphany/’ This

Papal Decree was promulgated in his Diocese

by Archbishop Antoine Blanc, on August 6,

1852.

On June 21, 1894, His Holiness, Leo XIII,

enriched with numerous indulgences the Con-

fraternity of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

which Archbishop Francis Janssens canonical-

ly erected in the Ursuline Chapel of New Or-

leans on January 8, 1895. By a new Rescript

of Leo XIII in 1897, this Confraternity was

raised to the rank of an Archconfraternity.

(See p. 36.)

Finally, a Decree of Leo XIII, dated from

Rome, June 21, 1894, and issued from the Pal-

— 12—



ace of the Sacred Congregation de Propa-

ganda Fide, granted the signal favor of the

“Solemn Coronation of the Miraculous Statue

of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, exposed to

public veneration in the Chapel of the Ursu-

line Convent, New Orleans’^—this is the word-
ing of the decree—and officially delegated
Archbishop Janssens to crown the Miraculous

Statue in the Pope’s name. This imposing

ceremony of the Coronation—the very first
of its kind in the United States—took place
on Sunday, November 10, 1895, and was

marked by unusual pomp and all the magnifi-

cence of the Catholic Eitual. Each year, the

anniversary of this glorious event is com-

memorated at the Ursuline Convent by a Mass

of Thanksgiving, followed by Benediction of

the Most Blessed Sacrament and the chanting

of the Te Deum.

On January 8, 1911, the Centenary of the,

arrival of the Miraculous Statue (December

30, 1810) was celebrated with a splendor re-

calling the grand ceremonies of the Solemn

Coronation; and on Tuesday, January 8, 1924,

the Blessing and Dedication by Archbishop

John William Shaw of the new Votive Church

of Our Lady of Pormpt Succor—a superb
monument of Christian art—rivaled in re-

13 —



ligious pomp, enthusiasm and wondrous

beauty the magnificence of the preceding

manifestations of love and loyalty to Louis-

iana’s benign Queen, Our Lady of Prompt

Succor.

The solemn Consecration of this new Shrine

took place on the sixth of January, 1928, and

this grandiose ceremony formed a fitting

opening of the celebration of the bi-centenary

of the foundation of the Ursuline Convent.

At the request of Their Excellencies Most

Reverend John William Shaw, Archbishop of

New Orleans, Most Reverend Cornelius Van de

Ven, Bishop of Alexandria, and Most Reverend

Jules B. Jeanmard, Bishop of Lafayette, in a

decree rendered on the thirteenth day of June,

1928, by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, 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 State of Louisiana, conceding at the same

time, each and all of the liturgical privileges

proper to the Principal Patrons of places.

Accordingly, each year, the Patronal Feast

shall be celebrated on the fifteenth day of

January, with the rite of double of first class,

with octave, and wtih proper Mass and Office

— 14—



duly approved; permission being granted to

celebrate one Mass, solemn or sung, of the

same Patronal Feast on the eighth day of

January, on account of the civic holiday.

May devotion to Mary under her hope-

inspiring title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

spread far and wide! To invoke Our Lady

under this sweet appellation, is it not telling

Her that our needs are great and pressing,

and that we hope and expect much from Her?

Her power equals her love; therefore, our

confidence should know no bounds.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us I

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT
SUCCOR

A Novena in honor of Our Lady of Prompt

Succor may be made at any time during the

year; and for any favor desired, either

spiritual or temporal.

The solemn public Novena preparatory to

the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor is

made annually before the Miraculous Statue

in the Votive Church at the Ursuline Convent,

from December the 30th to January the 8th.

— 15—



It is very appropriate, moreover, to make a

novena to Our Lady of Prompt Succor during

the nine days preceding the principal feasts

which the Church celebrates in her honor.

The Immaculate Conception December the 8th

The Nativity September the 8th

The Presentation November the 21st

The Annunciation March the 25th

The Visitation July the 2nd

The Purification February the 2nd

The Assumption August the 15th

FIRST DAY

When we wish to obtain some special favor

through the intercession of Our Blessed Lady,

the first disposition to bring to prayer is the

humble recognition of our unworthiness, for

it is the prayer of the contrite and humble

heart that penetrates the skies and rises to

the very throne of God.

— 16—



PRAYER

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, O Most Holj

Virgin, Thou art, after Jesus, our only hope.

Thou whose merits have raised Thee high

above Angel Choirs to the very throne of the

Eternal, and whose virginal foot crushed the

head of the infernal serpent, art strong

against the enemies of our salvation. Placed

between God and His Church, Thou art our

Mediatrix most kind and loving. Hasten, then,

to our help, and as Thou didst once save the

City of thy predilection from ravaging flames

and our Country from an alien foe, do Thou

now have pity on our misery, and obtain for

us (Here name the particular favor

you desire.) Deliver us from the wiles of

Satan, assist us in the many trials which beset

our path in this vale of tears, and be Thou to

us truly OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR,
now and especially at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

The Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to

the Father, may be added, with the prayer,
‘^0 Mary, Mother of God,^’ and the Litany of

Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

— 17—



SECOND DAY

Filial resignation to God’s Holy Will is the

second disposition required for the obtaining

of special graces. This disposition is especially

necessary when we ask for temporal favors,

as we cannot be certain whether they are con-

ducive to our salvation or not.

PRAYER

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, O Virgin most

pure and Mother of the Word Incarnate, Thou

art the dispenser of all graces and the refuge

of poor sinners. With lively faith and un-

bounded confidence we have recourse to thy

maternal love and we beg of Thee to obtain

from Thy Divine Son the favors we now im-

plore (Here name the special grace

desired.) With filial trust we place our hearts

under Thy motherly care, beseeching Thee to

obtain for us the all-important grace of per-

fect conformity to God’s Will; and) do Thou,

0 Mary, show Thyself to be OTJR LADY OF

PROMPT SUCCOR, especially at the hour of

our death. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

Our Father, etc., as on first day.

— 18—



THIRD DAY

A profound respect for the exalted dignity

and sublime prerogatives of Mary is an ex-

cellent means to draw down upon us Heaven’s

choicest blessings.

PRAYER

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, 0 Mary Im-

maculate, Thou art the model of all virtues,

the path by which we go to Jesus, the mys-

terious channel through which divine favors

are imparted to us. O Thou who hast such

power over the Heart of Jesus, hasten to our

assistance and obtain our earnest request

(Here name the favor desired.) In

Thee, O Mary, we put our trust, let it not be

said that our hopes have been frustrated. O

Mother most chaste, be Thou our strength

against temptation, our help in danger, our

consolation in sorrow, but especially be Thou

OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR at the
hour of death. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

Our Father, etc., as on first day.

— 19—



FOURTH DAY

A filial eagerness in striving to fathom the
treasures of holiness contained in the Heart

of Mary, the most loving and lovable of

Mothers, is another means of obtaining Our

Lady^s special protection.

PRAYER

Our Lady of Prompt iSuccor, living Temple

of the Holy Ghost and Queen of Heaven and

earth, behold us prostrate at Thy feet to offer

Thee the filial homage of our hearts, to thank

Thee for the innumerable favors Thou hast

obtained for us, and to implore, through Thine

all-powerful intercession, the graces we need,

especially (Here specify the favor de-

sired.) O Mary, be Thou truly to us ^^Mary,’^

that is, our shield against the darts of tempta-

tion, our solace in the midst of trials and

afflictions, our firm hope, sweet consolation

and PROMPT SUCCOR at the hour of death.

Amen,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten t© help

us. (Three times.)

Our Father, etc., as on first day.

— 20—



FIFTH DAY

To acquire a special right to the protection

of Mary, one of the surest means is to keep

ourselves in the state of grace and endeavor

to please Her by imitating her virtues.

PEAYER

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Virgin most

powerful and Mirror of Justice, who didst of-

fer Thyself totally to God for the perfect ac-

complishment of His Holy Will, do Thou make

us generous in sacrifice. We have recourse to

Thee to obtain the graces we need, especially

(Here name the favor desired.) O

Mary, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, heavenly

Protectress of souls devoted to Thy Divine

Son, do Thou deign to bless us each day of

our mortal pilgrimage, cast upon us Thine

eyes of mercy, and after our exile, show unto

us Jesus, Thy Son and our Brother. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

Our Father, etc., as on first day.

— 21—



SIXTH BAY

A tender love for Mary is another effica-

cious means of obtaining her favors. Since

love can be requited only by love, what should

not be our sentiments of filial affection for so

generous and loving a Mother?

PRAYER

0 Mary, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, bright

Star of the Sea shining upon life’s stormy

ocean, we raise our hearts to Thee in our

pressing needs and implore Thy speedy help,

especially to obtain (Here specify

the desired favor.) Shining Star of our tem-

pest-tossedi souls, do Thou benignly guide us

amongst temptation’s heaving billows and

treacherous shoals, and lead us safely into

eternity’s peaceful harbor. O sweetest of

Mothers, we seek Thy PROMPT iSHOOOR

now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

Our Father, etc., as on first day.

— 22—



SEVENTH DAY

Mary’s love for us is tender and generous.

Our love for Her should have as characteris-

tics: deep gratitude, filial confidence, and

ardent zeal. We should endeavor, by good

example and the spirit of sacrifice, to procure

Our Lady’s honor and glory and propagate

devotion to Her under Her sweet title of

PEOMPT SUCCOR.

PRAYER

O Mary, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Thou

whose protection is so powerful and whose

help is so prompt and efficacious, we come to

lay at Thy feet all our cares and sorrows, to

place into Thy hands all our hopes, to entrust

to Thee all our interests both spiritual and

temporal. Deign, O Most Holy Virgin, to

assist us and obtain the graces we now ask,

especially (Here mention the favor

desired.) O Mother of PEOMPT SUCCOE,

close not Thine ears to our earnest supplica-

tions, but rather hasten to our help now and

at the hour of our death. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

Our Father, etc., as on first day.

— 23—



EIGHTH DAT

Oonfidenee is an excellent and necessary

means for obtaining Mary^s protection. Oui

Lady of Prompt Succor will bestow favors

upon us in proportion to our filial trust in

her all-powerful intercession.

PRAYER

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Sanctuary of

every virtue, Thou who wast chosen amongst

all women to be the Mother of our Redeemer,

be Thou our advocate and protectress. To

Thee do we raise our hearts and hands im-

ploring Thy powerful intercession to obtain

the favors we ask, especially (Here

mention the grace desired.) Assist us by Thy

mediation, 0 Mary, that Thy Divine Son may

shower His blessings upon us now and at the

moment of our death. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

Our Father, etc., as on first day.

— 24—



NINTH DAY

Mary became our Mother on Calvary

Crest. We are the children of her tears and

sorrows. On this last day of our Novena, let

us take the resolution ever to foster a true

and tender devotion to our Immaculate

Mother of Prompt Succor, to cast all our cares

and anxieties into her maternal Heart. Our

confidence will not remain unrewarded.

PRAYER

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Queen of the

Universe and Sovereign full of benignity,

Thou art the advocate of sinners, a haven of

safety to the shipwrecked, the health of the

sick and infirm, the consolation of the af-

flicted, the refuge and salvation of all on

earth. Do Thou, O Mary, grant us, we be-

seech Thee, the help of Thy prayers to obtain

the graces we implore, and in particular . . . .

(Here name the favor desired.) Let Thy ma-

ternal Heart be touched by our misery; hasten

to our assistance and be to us, now and at

the hour of our death, OUR LADY OP
PROMPT SUCCOR. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

Our Father, etc., as on first day.

— 25—



LITANY

of

OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR

(For Private Recitation Only)

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us,

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have

mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.

— 26—



Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who in-^

voke thee with confidence,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who are

devout towards the Infant Jesus,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining a

lively faith.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for sustaining

the hope of Christians,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining

and persevering in charity.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing

the law of God,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining

perseverance in virtue and goodi works,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every spir-

itual necessity.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the

revolt of self-will,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the occasion

of sin.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every tempta-
tion.

Our Lady of Prompt (Succor against the evil

spirit.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining
contrition.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those wish-
ing to re-enter the path of salvation.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the con-
version of sinners,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every tem-
poral necessity.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every affliction,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of afflicted

families,

— 27 —

PRAY

FOR

US



Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the sick and"
poor,

Our Lady of Prompt 8uccor against con-
tagious diseases and epidemics,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every accident,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against confla-
grations.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against light-
ning and tempest.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against inunda-

tions.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of travelers,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of navigators,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the ship-
wrecked.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the

enemies of our country.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in time of war, L
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those aspiring

to the Holy Priesthood and the religious life,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of laborers in

the Lord’s Vineyard,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those who
combat for the faith.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of our Holy

Father the Pope,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for enlighten-
ing infidels.

Our Lady of Prompt iSuccor for the conver-
sion of heretics.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the

enemies of the Cfhurch,

Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of death.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the deliver-

ance of the souls in Purgatory,

— 28—

PRAY

FOR

US



Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins
of the world, spare us, 0 Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins

of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins

of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for

us.

That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY

0 Almighty and Eternal God! Who dost
see us surrounded by so many dangers and
miseries, grant in Thy infinite goodness, that

the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Di-

vine Son, may defend us from the evil spirit
and protect us against all adversities; that

always, and with PROMPT iSUCCOR, she
may deliver us from every evil of soul and
body, and safely guide us to the kingdom

of Heaven: through the merits of Our Lord

Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and
reignest with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one

God, world without end. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to

help us. (100 days indulgence)

— 29



LET US PRAY

O most merciful Jesus, Who hast placed the

riches of Thy mercy in the heart of Thy

Mother Mary: propitiously grant that through

Her patronage we may be delivered from all

evils of mind and body. Who livest and

reignesf, with God the Father, in the unity of

the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us.

(100 days indulgence)

— 30—



PRAYERS TO OUR IJU>Y OF PROMPT

SUCCOR

O Mary, Mother of God, who amidst the

tribulations of the world, dost watch over us

and over the Church of Thy iSon, be to us

and to the Church, truly Our Lady of Prompt

Succor, make haste to help us in all our neces-

sities, that in this fleeting life thou mayst be

our succor, and obtain for us (Here ask the

particular favor you desire.) Help us to gain

life everlasting through the merits of Jesus,

Thy iSon, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

(100 days indulgence)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the

Father.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help

us. (Three times.)

0 Queen of the Universe, Our Lady of

Prompt Succor, sovereign full of kindness,

Thou art the advocate of sinners, a haven of

safety to the shipwrecked; Thou art the re-

sources of the world, the ransom of captives,

the health of the infirm, the consolation of

the afflicted, the refuge and salvation of all

on earth. We beseech Thee to grant us the
help of Thy prayers, • which incline our

Heavenly Father to forgive our sins and grant

— 31 —



our petitions in all the necessities of this

miserable life; prayers which obtain for us

an abundance of graces to receive the pardon

of our faults and arrive at the practice of

virtue; prayers which stay our enemies, con-

found their designs and triumph over their

efforts. Amen. (100 days indulgence)

Most Efficacious Prayer of St. Alphonse

Rodriguez to Our Blessed Lady:

0 Mary, sweet Refuge of miserable sinners,

my most sweet Mother, for the sake of the

sorrow Thou didst feel in witnessing the death

of Thy Son, hasten to assist me, in Thy mercy

and obtain for me . . . (Here ask for the par-

ticular favor you desire.) And when my soul

shall have to depart from this world, succor

me promptly; remove from me the infernal

enemies and come to take my soul and present

it to the Eternal Judge. My Queen, do not

abandon me. Thou after Jesus shalt be my

comfort at that terrible moment. Ask Thy

Son to grant me in His goodness the grace

to die at Thy feet, and to breathe forth my

soul in His Holy Wounds, saying: Jesus and

Mary, to you I give my heart and my soul.

Amen. (100 days indulgence)

— 32 -—



Al prayer ascribed to ST. BERNARD

Remember, 0 most loving Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone who fled

to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and

sought Thine intercession, was left forsaken.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee,

O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I

come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrow-

ful. O Mother of the Word, despise not my

words, but graciously hear and grant my

prayer. Amen.

We fly to Thy patronage, O holy Mother of

God, despise not our petitions in our necessi-

ties, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever

glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

— 33—



HYMN TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT
SUCCOR

1 .

Hail Mary, Queen of Heaven!

Hail Mary, Mother dear.

In Thee I find my Jesus,

Near Thee I hold no fear.

CHORUS

Hail Mother of Prompt Succor!

Make haste, help me. Thy child!

Hail Mother of Prompt Succor!

Make haste, help me, Thy child.

Make haste, help me, Thy child.

2 .

Bright star, on lifers vast ocean.

Thou whom the world admire

Hast freed our state and city

From sin, flood, war and fire.

3 .

Our Lady of Prompt Succor,

Help me forevermore

Till I meet Thee with my Jesus

Above, on Heaven’s shore.

— 34



HYMN TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT
SUCCOR

1 .

0 Lady dear I O Queen so bright!

0 Mother of Prompt Succor sweet!

We beg of Thee for Heaven’s light,

While kneeling here at Thy fair feet!

CHORUS

O Mary, Thy Prompt Succor send;

O Mother, hearken to our prayer;

Let Jesus, now. His mercy lend!

2 .

Thou art the Mother of our State,

Because from flood and fire’s waste,

Thou’st saved us from an awful fate.

And to our help didst ever haste.

3.

When war was raging o’er our land,

Thou gav’st us vict’ry in the fight;

From sin and care Thy helping hand.

Was ever there to save from slight.

4.

0 Lady, we now crown Thee Queen,

To rule our destiny with love;

We hail Thee, on Thy help to lean.

To ever sing Thy praise above.

— 35 —



ARCHCONFRATERNITY

of

OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR

ARTICLE I

The Archconfraternity has for its aim:

1. To place its members under the special

protection of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

2. To spread devotion to the Blessed Vir-

gin under this title, so providentially inspired,

and which is so well suited to our times.

3. To inspire the associates to be Apostles

in their families, and in society, by good ex-

ample and pious counsel.

ARTICLE n

The conditions of admission into the Archcon-

fraternity and of participation in its prayers

and other advantages are:

1. To have one’s name inscribed on the

Register of the local Confraternity and on a

Certificate of admission signed by the Director.

2. To say, every morning and evening, in

time of temptation or danger, the following

— 36



invocation: ‘^Our Lady of Prompt Succor,

hasten to help us!"' (100 days indulgence.)

ARTICLE m
The special Feasts of the Archconfraternity

are the following:

Feasts of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Janu-

ary 8 and 15.

Feast of St. Joseph, March 19.

Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians,

May 24.

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16.

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Vir-

gin Mary, September 8.

Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Vir-

gin, November 21.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception, De-

cember 8.

ARTICLE IV

Members shall, as regularly as possible, at-

tend the meetings of their Confraternity. These

meetings should be held monthly and! their

program should consist of the recitation of

— 37—



the Beads and the Litany of the Blessed Vir-

gin, a short instruction or reading, and at the

end. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

ARTICLE V

The seat of the Archconfraternity is estab-

lished at the privileged Shrine of Our Lady

of Prompt Succor, TJrsuline Convent, New Or-

leans, whence diplomas bearing the seal of the

Ursuline Convent, and the signature of the Di-

rector General of the Archconfraternity, will

be forwarded to priests and religious desirous

of organizing the Confraternity of Our Lady of

Prompt Succor in their parishes or communities.

The Director General of the Archconfrater-

nity is appointed by the Most Reverend Arch-

bishop of New Orleans.

ARTICLE VI

The voluntary offerings of the Associates are

employed to defray the expenses of the Arch-

confraternity in propagating devotion to Our

Lady of Prompt Succor.

Members share in the good works and

prayers of the entire Archconfraternity and of

the Ursuline Community; and also in the Holy

Mass offered every Tuesday at the Shrine.

— 38



ARTICLE Vn

Indulgences

A plenary Indulgence on the day of the ad-

mission into the Arehconfraternity.

A Plenary Indulgence at the hour of death,

by invoking, at least in desire, the Holy Names

of Jesus and Mary.

A Plenary Indulgence can be gained by mem-

bers visiting the Shrine in New Orleans; and

outside of New Orleans, the church of their

local Confraternity, on January 8, or any day

during the octave; or on December 12, the

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

All these Indulgences are applicable to the

Souls in Purgatory, and may be gained under

the ordinary conditions.

— 39—



COPYRIGHT, 1943

THE URSULINE NUNS OF THE PARISH OF ORLEANS





SOUTHERN PTG. CO., INC.

411 TCHOUPITOULAS ST.

NEW ORLEANS, LA.