Our Lady of Prompt Succor
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. I would be a foolish American if I don’t talk about this title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But I just learned about it today.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor is a significant title for the Virgin Mary, primarily associated with a historic statue and devotion in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is honored as the principal patroness of the city and the state of Louisiana. The term "Prompt Succor" essentially means "quick help" or "rapid assistance." Let’s take a look at the history of the title.
History
Ursuline nuns begin the devotion to Mary by the title “Our Lady of Prompt Succor.” Ursuline nuns are members of the Roman Catholic Church and are a religious order. They are officially known as the Order of Saint Ursula. The order was founded in 1535, and they famous for being the first institute of women in the Church dedicated exclusively to the education of girls. They founded a school in New Orleans is called the Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, and it is still running today.
In 1803, the Louisiana Territory was transferred from Spain back to France, and then sold to the United States. During these shifts, many Spanish Ursuline nuns fled New Orleans for Cuba, fearing the anti-Catholic sentiment of the French government. The French Revolution had led to the closure of convents, the seizure of Church property, and the exile of religious figures. Something that I have to note is that France was a country of about 28 million people. Most of these people were baptized Catholics. Tens of thousands of people were killed during the Reign of Terror. The fear of this revolution spreading to New Orleans is what caused the Spanish sisters to flee to Cuba in the first place, creating the vacancy that Mother Saint Michel was tried to fill. So when the United States bought Louisiana there was a sense of relief for the Ursuline nuns.
Mother Saint Michel wrote to her bishop, the Bishop of France, for more sisters. That way she could continue her work in Louisiana. The bishop told Mother Michel that he couldn’t do anything. That it was up to the Pope. There as a problem with writing to the Pope at this time. Normally writing a letter is super easy for Catholics to do. You just write the letter and send it. But it was humanly impossible for the Pope to get a letter at the time.
Roughly around 1809, Pope Pius VII was a captive of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon’s soldiers held the Pope under house arrest (first in Italy and later in France) to prevent him from exercising his authority. Napoleon’s jailers had strict orders to block all communications to Pope Pius VII. It was highly unlikely that a letter from a nun would even reach the Pope, let alone receive a reply. In an era without modern transport, a standard letter to Rome usually took months; under a blockade, it seemed hopeless.
Mother Saint Michel prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help. Just like any child would do with their mother. Mother Saint Michel’s prayer was simple. She asked the Virgin to get the letter to the Pope and for a prompt and favorable reply. Mother Saint Michel told the Virgin the if Mary did this then Michel would honor the Virgin with the title "Our Lady of Prompt Succor." Mother Saint Michel also said that she would have a statue made for the Virgin.
The letter was written and sent. Six weeks later Pope Pius VII’s letter was in Mother Saint Michel’s hand. She was going to get more sisters to help with her mission and the school. The statue was also sent to New Orleans in 1810. You can find a picture of the statue here. The statue depicts Mary holding the Child Jesus, both wearing golden crowns. It is housed in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on State Street in New Orleans.
Miracles
The devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor gained wide devotion due to two event in New Orleans history. These historical events are taught in school, but they never mention the Lady of Prompt Succor. But Andrew Jackson thought that Mary’s involvement should be taught.
In 1812 a massive fire threatened the Ursuline Convent. New Orleans was a city mostly built of wood, and it had already been devastated by massive fires in 1788 and 1794. Fire was the greatest fear of any citizen because, once it started, the humid winds and narrow streets made it almost impossible to contain. One of the nuns, Sister Anthony, refused to give up. She took a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor (often called the Sweetheart Statue) and placed it on a windowsill facing the approaching wall of fire. She prayed, “Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we are lost unless you hasten to our aid!" The wind shifted immediately and bowed the fire away saving the Covent. Even though the Covent was saved the surrounding neighborhood was devasted.
The people of New Orleans see this event as a sign of Mary’s protection over the city. This event is why, for over 200 years, New Orleanians have turned to "Our Lady" whenever a threat comes from the elements—specifically hurricanes. This story reminds me about another time Mary helped to stop a fire. I will have to write about Our Lady of Champion later.
The second miracle was the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. During the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson’s forces were vastly outnumbered by the British. The Ursuline sisters and many locals spent the whole night in prayer before the statue. Against all odds, the Americans won a decisive victory within thirty minutes. Jackson himself later visited the convent to thank the sisters for their prayers. Stating that they lead a spiritual charge.
Celebrating
Today is in fulfillment of a promise during the Battle of New Orleans. The Mother Superior, Mother Ste. Marie Olivier de Vezin, made a public, solemn vow: if the American forces were victorious and the city was spared, the Ursulines would sing a Mass of Thanksgiving every year on January 8th in honor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. That vow has never been broken. The Archbishop of New Orleans will celebrate that same Mass of Thanksgiving at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, just as has been done every year for the last 211 years.
One way to celebrate the feast day is by praying the “Hurricane Prayer.” It is also known as “The Official Prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor.” Here is the prayer:
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, ever Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and God, you are most powerful against the enemy of our salvation. The divine promise of a Redeemer was announced right after the sin of our first parents; and you, through your Divine Son, crushed the serpent's head.
Hasten, then, to our help and deliver us from the deceits of Satan. Intercede for us with Jesus that we may always accept God's graces and be found faithful to Him in our particular states of life. As you once saved our beloved city from ravaging flames and our country from an invading army, have pity on us and obtain for us protection from hurricanes and all other disasters. > Assist us in the many trials which beset our path through life. Watch over the Church and the Pope as they uphold with total fidelity the purity of faith and morals against unremitting opposition. Be to us truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor now and especially at the hour of our death, that we may gain everlasting life through the merits of Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen."
The Aspiration: Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us!
Our Father in Heaven, through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this hurricane season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Another way to celebrate the feast day is with food. Have some gumbo and andouille for the main course. For desert you can have some King Cake. If you haven’t had enough from Epiphany yet.
Thank you for reading this. I am praying for you and I ask that you pray for me. Mary, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.
References
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor
The Shrine’s own historical records are the definitive source for the "miracle" accounts and Mother Saint Michel’s vow.
Website: shrineolps.com
Key Detail: Documentation of the "Sweetheart" statue, the 1812 fire, and the 1815 Battle of New Orleans vow.
Ursuline Academy of New Orleans
The school maintains a detailed archive of its "firsts" and its 1727 founding.
Source: Ursuline Academy Heritage
Key Detail: Confirms its status as the oldest continuously operating school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the U.S.
The New Orleans Historical Society
A collaborative project by local universities that provides peer-reviewed historical context for the city’s landmarks.
Source: Battle of New Orleans: Old Ursuline Convent
Key Detail: Describes the dramatic entrance of the messenger during the 1815 Mass and the involvement of Father DuBourg.
Catholic Church Records & Martyrologies
The accounts of the French Revolution and the Ursuline martyrs are found in official Church history.
Source: The Ursuline Martyrs of Valenciennes and the Martyrs of Compiègne records.
Key Detail: Documenting the execution of 11 Ursuline nuns in 1794 and the suppression of convents during the Reign of Terror.
National Park Service & U.S. Census Bureau
For the military and demographic facts surrounding the Battle of New Orleans and the War of 1812.
Source: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Key Detail: Verifies the troop numbers (approx. 5,000 Americans vs. 15,000 British) and the lopsided casualty counts.
Primary Letters and Memoirs
Marie-Madeleine Hachard's Letters (1727–1728): These provide the first-hand account of the original sisters' voyage from France to New Orleans.
Life of Mother Saint Michel Gensoul: Biographies detailing her correspondence with Pope Pius VII during his captivity.
