MaryLinks Calendar
This is a daily calendar of Marian events on every day of the year. It is compiled from various web sources, and Tan Books' "Marian Feast-Day Calendar." The calendar reveals the incredible diversity of Marian celebrations across the centuries and around the world.
With a few exceptions for major events such as The Annunciation, the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other churches leave it up to the individual's own discernment and judgment whether to celebrate a particular Marian feast or to believe in a particular reported Marian miracle. This website presents the full range of information, leaving it up to you the reader to make your own decisions. For example, whether a feast for a medieval relic should be considered an interesting folk custom or an authentic recognition of a holy object is up to you to decide.
This web page is very much under construction, with links for particular days being added.
Reference aids:
In the Catholic calendar, feasts have the following rank: Simple; semi-double, greater double, double of the second class, double of the first class. Especially important feasts have "octaves", which means that the solemnity of the feast last for 8 days. The primary feast and its octave often have a different rank, with the octave being lower. Ranks and colors of liturgical calendar.
Maps of France and Italy. Other countries. Spanish calendar from major Spanish site.
Definitions of: Confraternity.
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Back to Main MaryLinks Page.
1. Commemoration of the Divine Maternity. Marie de Monfort: "Christmas is an extended commemoration of the Divine Maternity . . . of her who gave birth to the Savior of the world" and "This maternity of Mary in the economy of grace is continued uninterrupted to the consummation of all the elect."
Octave of the Nativity. Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. A "totum duplex" or "feast of the second class."
Solemnity of Mary,
Mother of God. The oldest Marian feast.
Homily of John Paul II.
2. Abbey of Dunes (Abdij Ter Duinen) founded in honor of Mary. On the beach in Sint-Idesbald, Flanders, Belgium. 1128. New abbey built 1628–42 by Cistercian monks, and now a UNESCO world heritage site. Abbey The Abbey itself lies in ruins, but is a open to visitors. Article in Libraries & Culture, vol. 21, number 4, pages 778-779. The monks at the Abbey created Duinen Abbey Ales.
4. Madonna della Treviso, Italy. 746. Appears to St. Jerome Emiliani, 1530.
5. Our Lady of Abundance/Prosperity. Cursi, Italy. 1641. Appears in the book Remember the Alamo, by Amelia Barr. The titles are frequently applied to Isis/mother goddess/etc.
6. First public miracle of Jesus, performed at Mary's request. Marriage at Cana. Our Lady of Cana. John 2:1-10. Paintings by Arthur Cislo. Song. Scholars continue to debate the interpretation of this episode, in which Jesus harshly rebukes Mary's request that he turn water into wine, she continues undaunted, and Jesus then performs the requested miracle.
7. Our Lady of Egypt. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus return from Egypt to Israel. Pope John Paul II's speech at ecumenical celebration at Coptic/Catholic Our Lady of Egypt cathedral
8. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Patroness of New Orleans and Louisiana. Novena, litany, and prayers. History and links. Plaque at the Shrine:
"ON JANUARY 7, 1815, THE EVE OF THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, URSULINES AND TOWNSFOLK PRAYED FOR VICTORY BEFORE THE VIRGIN'S STATUE, NOW IN THIS NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR. EVER AFTER, FIRST AT ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL AND SINCE 1851 IN THE URSULINES' CHAPEL, MASS OF THANKSGIVING HAS BEEN SUNG ON JANUARY 8, FULFILLING MOTHER MARIE OLIVIER DE VEZIN'S VOW. THE STATUE OF OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR, BROUGHT FROM FRANCE IN 1810, WAS CROWNED BY ARCHBISHOP FRANCIS JANSSENS IN 1895, AFTER ESTABLISHING THE CONFRATERNITY OF OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR. ARCHBISHOP JOHN R. SHAW DEDICATED THIS VOTIVE SHRINE ON JANUARY 8, 1924."
Our Lady of the Commencement. Naples, Italy. Chapel begun by St. Helen, and dedicated by Pope Sylvester I. 320.
9. Our Lady beyond the Tiber. Rome. 224. Built by St. Calixtus I.
Our Lady of Clemency. Innsbruck, Austria. 1797. Ancient icon in Rome. Shrine in Philadelphia. In Salve mater redemptoris motet.
13. Revision of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin by Pope Pius V. 1571.
Our Lady of Victory. Prague. 1620. Church named in honor of Austrian Emperor Ferdinand II's victory of a Protestant army near Prague. The church now holds the Holy Infant of Prague statue, the world's most famous statue of the infant Jesus.
14. Our Lady of Speech (the Word). Montserrat, Spain. 1514.
15. Our Lady of Porch. Rome.
Our Lady of the Crops. Syria.
Our Lady of Banneux. Belgium. 1933.
16. Our Lady of Montserrat. Spain. Rescues slaves from the Turks.
Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners.
17. Our Lady of Peace. Rome. 1843.
Notre Dame de Pontmain. France. 1871.
18. Notre Dame de Dijon. France. 1513.
19. Notre Dame de Gimont. Citeaux, France. Cistercien monastery.
20. Notre-Dame des Tables. Montpellier, France. "Arms of the City of Montpellier." Historic church built in 1230. The "tables" refers to the church's role as a center of international commerce.
21. Our Lady of Alta Gracia (Highest Grace). Higuey, Santo Domingo. Patron saint of the Dominican Republic, and a very important element of folk religion there.
22. Eve of Espousals of Our Lady. Celebrated in France.
23. Espousals of Our Lady. Arras, France. Approved by Pope Paul III, 1546. Poem.
23-24. Ina Poon Bato fiesta. Zambales, Philippines.
24. Our Lady of Damascus. Syria. 1203. This icon was brought to Malta by the Knights of St. John in 1530, along with other icons, after the knights were driven out of Rhodes in 1523. It is currently stored in a Greek Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II visited it in 2001. There are numerous accounts of an oily substance oozing from the image. The history of the icon is detailed in Papas Vito Borgia's 11-page treatise Veneration for a Historic Icon (Malta: Publikazzjonijiet Indipendenza: 1992). The icon went on a Pilgrim Journey to Syria in 1999.
Our Lady of Peace. Toledo, Spain.
Our Lady of Tears. Madonna del Pianto.
25. The Shroud of the Blessed Virgin is moved to Constantinople. 452. According to Cyril of Scythopolis's book Euthymian History, the Bishop of Jerusalem (Juvenal, not the same person as the Latin poet) sent the shroud to Constantinople in 452. He was ordered to do so by Eastern Roman Emperor Marcian and Empress St. Pulcheria, who was quite devoted to Mary, building churches to Mary as Mother of God.
26. Our Lady of Long Fields. Madrid/France. 1261
27. Our Lady of Life. Provence, France. Image restores to life children who died without baptism.
29. Notre Dame de Chatilion-sur-Seine. France. Appears to St. Bernard, 1130.
30. Our Lady of the Rose. Lucci/Lucca, Italy. Modern painting.
31. Apparition of Mary to Blessed Angela de Foligny/Foligno. Italy. 1285.
MOVABLE FEASTS
Third Sunday after Epiphany: Our Lady of Bethlehem. Patron Saint of Spanish architects. In 1459, Pope Pius II founded the Knights of Our Lady of Bethlehem, one of many Catholic Military Orders. They mission was to defend the Island of Lemmos, but it was quickly conquered by Muslim forces, and the Order was wiped out. There is modern group of the same name, but it is not recognized by the Vatican. "Our Lady of Bethlehem" remains a popular Marian title. Namesake of Brazilian city of Belem. Issued as a stamp by the government of Ethiopia. Famous medieval altarpiece in Flanders. Filipino girls born on this day are sometimes named Belen (Spanish for Bethlehem). Appears in chapter 25 of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. Especially celebrated in Guatemala, since St. Pedro de San José de Betancurt, Guatemala's first saint, gave the name Nuestra Señora de Belén to the convalescent hospital he built, and also founded an oratory, "the House of Our Lady of Bethlehem," which became the Bethlemite religious order. In England, the Hospital of Our Lady of Bethlehem was an institution for the insane; the modern word "bedlam" is a derivative of this name.
Third Sunday after Epiphany: Nossa Senhora/Our Lady of Exile. Portugal. Benedictine abbey in Trinidad & Tobago. Title of a book examining in the Cuban diaspora in Miami.
1. Vigil of the Feast of the Purification. Paris.
Baptism of St. Louis de Montfort.
2. Purification of the Blessed Virgin (a/k/a Candlemas). After spending 40 days in seculsion, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple. In Puerto Rico, "Dia de la candelaria" (day of Our Lady of Fire). Also known as Presentation (Orthodox).
3. Our Lady of Seidaneida/Saidenaida. Damascus, Syria.
4. Our Lady of the Pillar (Nuestra Señora Del Pilar). Saragossa, Spain. 40. The first Marian apparition. Scholarly debate. "The Mother of the Hispanic Peoples."
5. Dedication of the first church of Our Lady. By St. Peter. Tortosa, Italy.
6. Our Lady of Louvain. Belgium. 1444. Painting.
7. Our Lady of Grace. Abbey of Saint-Sauve, Montreil-sur-Mer. Rome. 1610.
8. Our Lady of the Lily. Melun, France. 13th century.
9. Octave of the Purification of Our Lady. (End of the 8-day festival beginning on Feb. 2).
10. Our Lady of the Dove. Bologna, Italy; Malaga, Spain (Virgen de la Paloma). Mexican retablo painting, Nuestra Señora de Paloma. Statue in St. Stephen's Church, Florida. "La Verbena De La Paloma" (The Festival of Our Lady of the Dove), zarzuela (Spanish operatta) by Tomas Breton.
11. Our Lady of Lourdes. France. 1858.
12.
Notre Dame d'Argenteuil. Church/convent on the Seine River, near Paris, France. Sometimes said to have
been built by Clovis I
in the year 101, although Clovis actually reigned 481-511. A setting for part of
the story of
Abelard & Heloise.
Our Lady of Iweron. Moscow
The Virgin of Mt. Athos. Moscow.
13. Our Lady of Hot Oven/Notre Dame de Bourges. Church in Bourges, France. An alchemist analyzes (in French) the stained glass windows of the church.
14. Our Lady of Bourburg. Flanders. 1383.
Notre Dame de Pellevoisin. France. 1876. Mary
appears to Estelle Faguette,
a servant
girl dying from tuberculosis, drives away a demon, and cures her.
Institutes the
White Scapular.
Full text of the book Constance Estelle
Faguette's book Our Lady of
Pellevoisin (Outremont Québec : Juvenate of the
Clerics of St. Viateur, approx. 1900).
Our Lady of Hope. Tajon, Mexico.
15. Notre Dame de Paris. France. 522.
16. Our Lady of the Thorn. Chalons-sur-Marne, France. 19th century. Name of a former convent in Portugal, now being reconstructed into a luxury hotel.
17. The Immaculate Mother. Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Our Lady of Constantinople. Bari, Turkey. 566. History and map of the namesake church (now in ruins) in Constantinople (written in French). Church in Salento, Italy. Fourth-century story "in which the Virgin Mary was placed halfway up in a fountain. Legend has it that the fountain's waters were miraculous, especially healing the blind."
18. Notre Dame de Laon. Rheims, France. 500. Church erected by St. Remigius.
19. Our Lady of Good Tidings. Lemdpes, France. 16th century.
20. Notre Dame de Boulogne-sur-Mer. France. 633
21. Our Lady of Good Haven (Notre Dame de Bon Port). Dol, France. For mariners.
23. Our Lady of the Rocks. Salamanca, Spain. 434. Brotherhood of the Americas of Our Lady of the Rock (Also in Spanish).
24. Pope Gregory the Great leads a procession in Rome with a painting of Mary, attributed to St. Luke, and a plague ends. 591.
25. Our Lady of Victory. Constantinople. 621. (See also Oct. 7.)
Our Lady of Great Power. Quebec. 1673.
26. Our Lady of the Fields. Paris. St. Denis. 250.
27. Nossa Senhora das Luzes/ Our Lady of Light/s. Lisbon, Portugal; Palermo, Italy. 18th century.
28. Monastery of the Annunciation. Bethune, France. 1519.
MOVABLE FEASTS
Saturday before the last Sunday after Epiphany: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners. Paris.
"The month of St. Joseph"
1. Madonna della Croce. Crema, Italy. 1873.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception established by Pope Sixtus IV. 1476.
2. Our Lady of Apparitions. Madrid, Spain. 1449.
3. Our Lady of Longpont/Longport. Valois, France. 1131.
Our Lady of Angels. Toulouse, France.
4. Our Lady of Guard (de la Guard). Aragon, Spain/Marseille, France. 1221.
5. Our Lady of Good Aid/Help. Nancy, France; Montreal. 1657.
6. Nossa Senhora do Nazareth. Pierre-Noire, Portugal. 1150.
7. Nossa Senhora da estrala/ Our Lady of the Star. Villa-Vicioza, Portugal.
8. Our Lady of the Lily.
Nossa Senhora/Our Lady of Virtues. Lisbon, Portugal. Purity, prudence, humility, faith, piety, obedience, poverty, patience, charity, compassion.
9. Notre Dame de Savigny. France. 1112.
10. Our Lady of the Vine. Viterbo, Italy.
11. Nossa Senhora das florestas/Our Lady of the Forests. Porto, Portugal, 12th century; Britain, 1419. Triptych Our Lady of the Forests.
Madonna da Costantinopoli Society. Bitritto (Bari).
12. Our Lady of Miracles. St. Maur des Fosses. France.
13. Our Lady of the Empress. Rome. 593.
14. Our Lady of Kostrama. Russia.
Our Lady of the Breach (Notre Dame de la Breche). Chartres, France. 1568. Picture of the church.
15. Our Lady of the Underground (Notre-Dame de Sous Terre; Our Lady of the Crypt). One of three venerated statues of Mary in the Chartres cathedral, in a subterranean chapel. Picture of the "Black Madonna" statue, probably of Celtic Druid origin; the original was burned during the French Revolution. Fraternity. Spanish I-Ching discussion. History. Medieval pilgrimage site.
16. Our Lady of the Fountain. (Panaghia Krena, Panayia tis Vrysis, Kyra-Vrysiani. La Virgen de la Fuente, Notre-Dame de la Fontaine). Constantinople. 460. Church on Greek Island of Chios. Monastary on Greek Island of Sifnos. Hermitage in Aragon, Spain. Pope John Paul II speech at shrine in Caravaggio, Italy, 1992; shrine was built as a result of a woman's vision of Mary on May 16, 1432; pilgrim's visit. In Robin Hood story. Story of pilgrim's 1494 visit to chapel in Jersusalem. Chapel in Chièvres, France:
"Legend has it that a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary was tied to a tree near this fountain. A chapel was built on that spot by Eve de Chièvres, and became a 'sanctuary of grace' where still-born babies were presented in the hope a last breath of life would allow them to enter heaven. The chapel was torn down and rebuilt several times, the last being in the 1890s in a neo-gothic style popular at the time."
17. Institution of Our Lady's Office by Pope Urban II, in the Council of Clermont. 1095. (At this council, Urban II also responded favorably to a request from the Byzantine Emperor for help against an overwhelming Muslim force; Urban II preached the First Crusade, to regain Jerusalem and other territories which had been military conquered by Muslim armies. The Crusade succeeded, and founded a kingdom which survived for two centuries.) Urban II ordered that the town bell be rung three times every day in honor of the triple Angelical Salutation (Angelus Domini) to Mary on the Annunciation; the "Angelus" is still a frequent call to prayer in Ireland. Douay Catechism of 1649 explanation. Mary joins an acolyte to say the office:
"A novice, who was very devout to our Lady and a faithful lover of observance, while praying fervently one night after matins, fell into a light sleep at his prayers. It then seemed to him as if a lady of great beauty stood by his side and put her hands on his shoulders. Seeing that it was a woman, he called out in alarm: 'My God, how can women have got in here, and at this time of night!' But she soothed him by telling him in a gentle voice who she was, and inviting him to say with her the Little Hours of the blessed Virgin's office. He agreed, and began the Ave Maria, while she answered throughout. She seemed to recite her part so sweetly and gently that his heart was stirred wonderfully, more especially as she repeated the versicles after each chapter. As she said the versicle for none, 'Elegit eam Deus ' ('The Lord hath chosen her'), the tones sounded with such heavenly melody in the novice's ears that his whole heart melted, and was rapt in God. She disappeared, and he woke to find himself radiant with a joy he could not control. While preparing to serve as acolyte that morning, the same joy shone so brightly on his countenance that a fellow novice rebuked him for it; and as he could not contain himself for gladness, the other served mass in his stead. As this gaiety was an unusual thing with him, his companion questioned him thereon, and after a long time drew out of him the secret of what he had seen, under strict promise of not letting it be known: and that joy lasted for a very considerable time."
Our Lady of Ireland. (Madonna of Ireland). 1697. Statute at the National Cathedral, in Washington. Essay discussing visit to Our Lady of Ireland Chapel at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Washington.
18. Our Lady of Loreto. (The house where Mary and Joseph raised Jesus.) History and links. Cathedral built by Pope Sixtus V. 1586
Our Lady of Mercy. Patroness of Savona, Italy. Pope Pius VII freed from Napoleon's captivity in Savona this day, 1814. Connection to Our Lady of Mercy Sept. 24. Marian apparitions in Savona, including 1536 event which this feast commemorates. John Paul II speech on Pius VII and Savona. Statue in Buenos Aires. Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy. Saves Ajaccio, France, from the black death, 1656. Paintings from Savona Shrine.
19. Our Lady Fair (La Belle Dame, The Beautiful Lady). Nogent-sur-Seine, France.
Solemnity of St. Joseph. 29 A.D.
20. Our Lady of Calevourt. Uckelen, Belgium. 1454
21. Our Lady of Bruges. Flanders. 1150. Relic of Mary's hair.
22. Notre Dame de Citeaux. France. 1098. Constructed by St. Robert.
Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
23. Our Lady of Victory of Lepanto. Hungary. 1716. (See Oct. 7 for details).
24. Vigil of the Annunciation. Instituted by Pope Gregory XI.
25. Annunciation. Instituted by the Apostles. The oldest Marian festival. In years when this falls during Lent, the celebration is transferred to earlier in the Month. The day marked the beginning of the New Year in old style calendars.
26. Notre Dame de Soissons. France. 1128. Relic of a Marian shoe.
28. Our Lady of Castelbruedo (Nuestra Señora de Castelbruedo). Catalonia, Spain.
30. Notre Dame de Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Photos of 19th century basilica, damaged in 1941, subsequently rebuilt. Contains statue which was popular pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages based on 7th century miracles.
31. Our Lady of Holy Cross. Namesake of college in New Orleans.
1. Octave of the Annunciation. List of groups which celebrate this octave.
Our Lady of Tears. Syracuse, Italy. Statue which wept Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 1953. Shrine site, in seven languages.
Polish king Jan Casimir proclaims Mary the Patroness and Queen of Poland. 1656. The proclamation is in recognition of the defeat of the Swedish siege of Jasna Góra; the Polish victory at the "fortress of Mary" was attributed to her miraculous intercession. (For more, see Mark Wegierski, "Letter from Poland," Chronicles, Dec. 2005.) Treated at length in The Deluge, by the Nobel Prize-winning Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz. Appello di Giovanni Paolo II alla Madonna di Jasna Gora, June 19, 1983. On April 1, 2005, a letter from Pope John Paul II was delivered to the Jasna Góra prior; the Pope also sent new "crowns" for the icon.
2. Our Lady the Great. Poitiers, France. Orthodox icons. Church in Israel.
3. Apparition of Jesus to Mary and the Apostles eight days after the Resurrection. Date is based on the original celebrated date of Easter, March 25. Mary's presence is textually unclear.
4. Notre Dame de Grace. Normandy, France.
5. Apparition of Mary to Pope Honorius IV, confirming the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Carmelite history.
Our Lady of Divine Providence. Cuassanio, Italy. 1856.
6. Our Lady of the Conception. Douai, France.
7. Our Lady of the Forsaken/of Puig. Valencia, Spain.
8. Feast of the Miracles of Our Lady. Cambron, near Mons, Belgium.
Our Lady of the Valley. 1040.
9. Notre Dame de Myans. Near Chambrey, Savoy, France.
10. Notre Dame de Laval. Viverais, France. 1646.
11. Nuestra Señora de Montserrat. Spain. Restoration of sight to a blind man.
Notre Dame de Fourviere. France.
12. Interior Life of the Blessed Virgin. Marianist Missal.
Our Lady of Charity. Toulouse, France; Cobre, Cuba.
13. Our Lady of Mantua. Apparition of Mary to Blessed Jane of Mantua. 1640.
14. Apparition of Mary to St. Ludivina. 1433.
Our Lady of Guam.
15. Our Lady of Kieff. Russia. 1010.
16. Our Lady of Victory/Victories. Church of St. Mark, Venice.
17. Nossa Senhora/Our Lady of Arabida. Portugal. 16th
century.
18. Pope Urban VI grants of Plenary Indulgences all visitors Church of Our Lady of Loretto/Loreto. 14th century.
19. Notre Dame de Lyons. France. 1643.
Council of Trent confirms the Feast of
the Immaculate Conception. 1545.
20. Our Lady of Scheir. Bavaria, Germany.
22. Notre Dame de Betharam. Diocese of Lescar, Bearn, France. 1503.
23. Pope Calistus III grants Indulgences to visitors of the Cathedral of Arras, which holds a Marian veil and cincture (sash). 1455.
Our Lady of Mende. Africa. 16th century.
24. Madonna della Bonaria. Sardinia, Italy. 1370. Mary is declared Patron of Sardinia in 1908.
25. Dedication of the Lower Holy Chapel in honor Mary. Paris. 1248.
Our Lady of Good Counsel of Genazzano, Italy. 1467. History.
26. Mother/Our Lady of Good Counsel. Detailed history.
27. Notre Dame d'Haut. Hainaut, France. Church built by Le Corbusier, 1955.
Nuestra Señora de Montserrat. Spain. 1535. Patrona de Cataluña. Wikipedia (Spanish). Black madonna.
28. Our Lady of the Oak (Notre-Dame du Chêne). Near Sable, Anjou, France. In Middle Ages. As Druidic custom absorbed by Christianity.
Nuestra Señora de Quito (Our Lady of Quito); Our Lady of the Earthquake. Quito,
Ecuador. 1534.
Discussed in visit of John Paul II to Quito.
29. Our Lady of Faith. Augustinian Church, Amiens, France.
Our Lady Queen of Orphans. Celebrated by the Somaschians.
30. Notre-Dame de Nantes. Bretagne, France.
Our Lady of Africa. Algiers. 1876. Celebrated by the White Fathers.
MOVABLE FEASTS:
Friday after Passion Sunday: The Sorrows of Our Blessed Mother
Friday after Easter: Our Lady, the Source of Life (Zoodochos Pighi). Turkey. 14th century church.
Saturday after Low Sunday: Notre-Dame de Fourviéres. Lyons, France. Cathedral.
Second Sunday after Easter: Our Lady of the Pearls. Palermo, Italy.
Our Lady of the Valley Catamarca, Argentina.
Monday after Low Sunday: Joys of Our Lady. Rosary.
Fourth Sunday after Easter: Our Lady of Light. Lujan, Argentina.
Our Lady of Consolation. Luxemburg.
Our Lady of Publito. Queretaro, Mexico.
May is the greatest Marian month of all, traditionally known as the "Month of Our Lady." She begins the month as Queen of May, and final day of the month brings a bevy of Queenly titles. It is the month when the spring of new life flourishes. Poetry on May as Mary's month.
1. Queen of May.
Donation of the May-pole to the church of Notre Dame. 1449.
2. Our Lady of Oviedo. Spain. 711.
3. Our Lady of Jasna Góra. Poland. The most famous of all the "Black Madonna" paintings, attributed to St. Luke. The Polish national Madonna. Mary is credited with turning back a Turkish invasion around 1453. Mentioned early in the great Polish epic poem "Pan Tadeusz." Our Lady of Jasna Gora was an immense source of inspiration and strength for Solidarity members, especially including Lech Walesa, in the worker and peasant struggle against hegemonic neo-colonial exploitation by the atheist Communist ruling elite.
Our Lady of Kiev. Ukraine.
4. Our Lady the Helper. Near Caen, France.
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. Church in San Francisco founded in 1856, and named in gratitude for the Anglo-French victory in the Battle of Sevastopol, during the Crimean War. For more, see France-Amerique, Dec. 17-23, 2005.
6. Our Lady of Miracles. Church of Our Lady of Peace, Rome. 1483.
7. Second feast of Our Lady of Haut. Hainaut, France.
8. Madonna della Pompeii. Italy.
The scholar Justus Lipsius donates his silver pen to the Church of Our Lady of Haut
9. Our Lady of Miracles. Mauriac, France.
Madonna della Loreto. Ancona, Italy.
10. Our Lady of Saussai/Saussaie. France. 1305.
Constantinople is dedicated to Mary. 4th century.
11. Mary appears to St. Philip Neri. 1594.
Nossa Senhora Aparecida. Patroness of Brazil.
12. Humility of Our Lady.
Our Lady of Power. Aubervillers, France.
13. Our Lady of Martyrs. Rome; Lisbon. 608.
Nossa Senhora/Our Lady of Fatima. Portugal. 1917.
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
Mary appears to Théresè of Lisieux.
14. Our Lady of Bavaria. Germany.
15. Notre-Dame de France. 1860.
16. Mary appears to St. Catherine of Alexandria. 4th century.
17. Our Lady of Tears. Spoletto/Spoleto, Italy.
18. Notre-Dame de Bonport. Evreux, France. 1190. Mary saves Richard the Lionheart while he is crossing the Seine. Wikipedia entry, in French. Pictures and brief history, in French. Bibliographical information about 1904 architectural study (item 375). Also the subject of Jules Andrieux, Cartulaire de l'abbaye royale Notre Dame de Bonport (1862); J. Daoust, "L'abbaye Notre-Dame de Bonport" in Collectanea Cisterciensia (1958), pages. 250-258.
19. Notre-Dame de Flines. Douay, France. 1729.
20. Church of La Ferte is dedicated to Mary. Burgundy, France. 1113.
21. Our Lady of Sweat. Salerno, Italy. 1611.
Our Lady of Vladimir. Russia. 1115.
22. Madonna della Mount Vergine (Virgin's Mount). Naples, Italy. 1119.
23. Our Lady of Miracles. St. Onier, Belgium; Brescia, Italy. 1478.
24. Our Lady of the Way. Rome.
25. Our Lady of the New Jerusalem. Built by Emperor Justinian. Jerusalem, Israel. 530.
26. Notre-Dame de Vaucelles. Cambrai, France. Built in 1140. French site about the abbey. French history.
Madonna della Caravaggio. Italy. 1432.
27. Madonna della Naples. Italy.
28. Feast of the Relics of Our Lady. Venice, Italy. Fragments of her veil, more.
Mary armed with a spear saves Rhodes. 1480. Web summary of the account in Robert Ernst, Lexikon der Marienerscheinungen (Lexicon of Mary Appearances) (1980):
In the year 1480 40,000 Turks besieged the fortress of Rhodus, which was defended by the Knights of St. John; the then Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson then dared to start with his knights a counter-attack. It is reported that during this fight Mary appeared in heaven. In her right hand, she held a spear, and in her left hand, a shield. In any case, the Knights of St. John were able to beat off the attack of Mohammed II against Rhodus victoriously from 23rd to 28th of May 1480.
More history of the siege.
29. Notre-Dame d'Ardents. Arras, France. 1095.
30. Dedication of the Church of the Virgin's Mountain/Mount Vergine. Naples, Italy. Approx. 1119. Monastery founded by St. William. Home of a Black Madonna.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Mexico. 1966. Litany. History. Daughters of Our Lady of Sacred Heart, religious order.
31. Annual pilgrimage to the chapel of Mary, Help of Christians, in Tra Kieu, Vietnam.
Our Lady of Suffering (Notre-Dame-des-Douleurs). Church of St. Gervase, Paris. Chapel in Ultrera, Seville.
Feast of the Visitation. New. Based on Mary's visit to Elizabeth, in Luke 1:39-56, where Mary spoke The Magnificat. Reflection. (Also see July 2).
Mother of Fair Love. The title comes from Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31:
I bud forth delights like the vine,
my blossoms become fruit, fair and rich.
I am the mother of fair love, and of fear,
and of knowledge, and of holy hope.
In me is all grace of the way and of the truth,
in me is all hope of life and of virtue.
Come to me, you yearning ones, and be filled,
for my speech is sweeter than honey,
my inheritance better than honey and the honeycomb.
Our Lady, Queen of all Saints. Analysis of the title. In homily by Pope John Paul the Great. In the Litany of Saints, "The invocation "Queen of All Saints" was added by Pope Pius VII when he returned to Rome after his long imprisonment by order of Napoleon."
Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces
MOVABLE FEASTS
Saturday within the Octave of the Ascension: Queen of the Apostles (Regina Apostolorum). Oblates. Apostoline Sisters. Icon and history. Doctrine.
Sunday before the Ascension: Madonna della Guardia. Bologna, Italy
First Sunday in May: Our Lady of Miracles. Andria, Italy.
Our Lady, Queen of Lebanon.
Second Sunday in May: Our Lady of the Defenseless. Madrid, Spain.
Second Sunday in May: Our Lady of Grace. Celebrated by the Hieronymites.
Second Sunday in May: Our Lady of Pontoise/Notre-Dame de Pontoise/Notre-Dame de la Santé (Our Lady of Health). Pontoise, France:
Originally constructed in 1177, this church is now a Balisica. Beginning in 1640, the inhabitants of the city began an annual procession in Mary's honor, and placed a statue of Mary at each entrance to the village. The ceremony was credited with ending the village's frequent pestilence. Song. History of the church's miraculous statue of Mary. Society for restoration of the church's historic organ.
1. Our Lady of the Star. Aquiles/Aquileia, Italy. 15th century.
Our Lady, Health of the Sick. Kevelaer, Germany.
Notre Dame de Grace. Montreal, Canada.
2. Our Lady of Edessa. Turkey. 400. Statue that spoke to St. Alexis.
Installation of the Robe of the Mother of God (Orthodox).
3. Madonna della Sosopoli/Sasopoli. Italy. 14th century.
Our Lady of the Holy Letter.
4. Our Lady of the Hill. Fribourg, Switzerland; Lombardy, Italy. 4th century.
6. St. Francis de Sales founds the Nuns of the Visitation of Our Lady. 1610.
7. Our Lady of the Valley of the Cistercian Order.
Our Lady of Marienthal. Germany. 13th century.
8. The Immaculate Heart of Mary. New.
Our Lady of Alexandria. Egypt. 4th century.
9. Our Lady of Ligny. Near Bac-le-Duc, Lorraine, France.
Mother of Grace. Prayer. Long prayer. Short prayer. Celebrated May 8 by Augustinians. Modern sculpture.
Madonna della Meentorello. Italy.
13. Our Lady of Sichem, Belgium. 1604. The original Sichem was an Israeli town. Christians built a church dedicated to the Virgin in the fifth century, but the Christian population was later wiped out by Muslims. In the "Little Office of the Virgin Mary" for Wednesday mornings, one line of the prayer states, "I will rejoice, and I will divide Sichem and I will mete out the vale of tabernacles."
14. Notre Dame d'Arras. France. 371. Mary saves the people of Arras from famine by sending them bread from heaven. Black Madonna. The most remarkable primitive Gothic cathedral in the Pas-de-Calais was Notre-Dame d'Arras, but the cathedral, like many others in this war-torn region, was destroyed.
15. Our Lady of the Bernadines/Feuillants. (Notre Dame des Feuillants). Toulouse, France. 1145. History of the Order. More history, in French.
Our Lady of the Taper. Cardigan, Wales. History. Wood sculpture.
16. Our Lady of Aix-la-Chapelle. Germany. 804.
17. Our Lady of the Forest. Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Shrine in Illinois.
18. Mary appears to St. Agnes of Mount Politian/Montepulciano. Italy.
19. Madonna della Monte Senario. Florence, Italy. 1240. And the Servite Order/the Order of the Friar Servants of Mary. Servite Order.
Church of St. John the Evangelist venerates Mary's comb. Treves, Germany.
20. Our Lady of Blaquernes. Constantinople. Basilica.
Our Lady of Consolation. Luxumburg. 1624. Shrine in West Grinstead, England.
21. Our Lady of Matareih. Grand Cairo, Egypt.
22. Madonna della Narni. Italy. 15th century. Mary speaks to the virgin stigmatine Blessed Lucy of Narni (1476-1547).
25. Council of Ephesus declares Mary to be the Mother of God, the "Theotokas." 341.
26. Our Lady of Malabar/Meliapour/Meliapore. India. 1542. The Apostle Thomas was said to have preached in India, and founded the Church of the Syrian Malabar Christians.
27. Notre Dame de la Dorade. Toulouse, France.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help/Succor. Painting. Analysis of the picture. Icon. More on the icon. Story of the image. Prayer. Irish novena. American novena. Perpetual novena. Light a candle, receive devotional materials, prayers, a prayer card, etc. Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Medals & chains. Shrine. Modern icon. Namesake of many churches and schools.
28. The Angelus is instituted throughout Europe by Pope Callistus III in 1456, although its origins are hundreds of years earlier. The set of two or three daily prayers (6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.) commemorates the Annunciation. History and modern usage.
29. Notre Dame de Buglose. Landes, France. 1634. History of the shrine.
30. Notre Dame de Calais. France. 1347. Built by the Anglo-Normans when they controlled the north coast of France.
Our Lady of the Rose. Patroness of Makati, Philippines.
MOVABLE FEASTS
Third Sunday after Pentecost: Nossa Senhora da vela miraculous/Our Lady of the Miraculous Candle. Portugal.
Saturday after the Octave of Corpus Christi: Most Pure Heart of Mary. History, detailing wide variety of celebration dates. Carmelite province. Congregation of the Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, for black nuns in Georgia. Prayer.
Third Sunday in June: Our Lady of Pious Schools. Celebrated by the Piarists (a/k/a Poor Clerks of the Mother of Godor Ordo Clericorum Regularium Pauperum Matris), an educational Order.
1. Dedication of the Church of Jumieges in honor of Mary. Normandy, France. 1067.
2. Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin. Instituted by Pope Urban VI. 1385.
Unveiling and blessing of the statue of Our Lady of Penrhys, Wales. 1953.
3. Notre Dame de la Carolle. Paris. 1418.
4. Our Lady of Miracles. Avignon, France. Church built by Pope John XXII. 14th century.
Our Lady of Refuge. Pueblo, Mexico.
5. Notre Dame de Cambrai/Cambray. Arras, France. 1472.
6. Notre Dame d'Iron. Blois, Dunois, France. 1631.
7. Our Lady of Roermund/Arras. Netherlands. 1380.
8. Our Lady of Kasan/Kazan. Russia.
Our Lady of Peace. Capuchin Church, Paris.
9. Our Lady of Aberdeen, Scotland, under the title Our Lady of Good Succor.
Our Lady of Itali. Argentina.
Prodigies of Our Lady. Miracles of Our Lady.
Notre Dame de Coutances. France. 1056.
10. Notre Dame de Boulogne. France. 1469.
11. Notre Dame de Clery. Near Orleans, France. 15th century.
12. Our Lady of All Graces.
Notre Dame de Lure. Avignon, France. 1110.
13. Notre Dame de Chartres. In 100 B.C., an statue of Mary seated on a throne and holding a child on her knees was carved in the forest on the plains of Beance, with the inscription "To the Virgin who is to bring forth." The statue and altar are known as ""Virgini paritur" and were built by Druids. Religious history of Chartres, one of the most important cathedrals of the Middle Ages. As a locus of eastern and western Christian unity. Pilgrimage history. Music album. See also Aug. 6, Aug. 17, Oct. 17, Dec. 22, Dec. 31.
14. Nossa Senhora do arbusto/Our Lady of the Bush. Portugal.
15. Our Lady of Molanus. 1099.
Godfrey de Bouillon defeats the Turks at Jerusalem in 1099, through the Mary's intercession
16. Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Feast of the Brown Scapular a/k/a The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. History.
17. Humility of Mary. Religious order. In America.
Madonna della Campitelli. Italy. 524.
18. Our Lady of Victory. Toledo, Spain. 1202.
19. Notre Dame de Moyen-Pont. Near Peronne, France.
20. Notre Dame de Grace. Picpus, Faubourg St. Antoine, Paris. 1629. Explanation of the icon (in French). Neighborhood in Montreal.
21. Notre Dame de Verdun. Lorraine, France. 5th century. Cathedral. Music from the cathedral's grand organ. French website. Architectural history, in French.
22. Our Lady of Safety/Safe Hiding. Marseilles, France; Overloon, Netherlands.
23. Order of Our Lady of Prémontré is instituted. Lancaster, England. 1120. Following a revelation by Mary to St. Norbert. History and modern status of the Premonstratensians (a/k/a the Norbertines.) More history. Home page for the Order.
24. Notre Dame de Cambron. France. Church built in the 17th century. A venerated miraculous picture of the Virgin is in a nearby abbey. For print research, see Th. LeJuene, "La vierge miraculeuse de Cambron" (The miraculous virgin of Cambron) a 30 page article in volume 7 of the Annales du Cercle Archéologique de Mons (Annals of the Archeological Circle of Mons), published in 1867. The book on the subject is Romain Paternotte, Histoire de Notre-Dame de Cambron et de son culte, précédée d'une notice sur l'abbaye (History of Our Lady of Cambron and its worship, preceded by a note on the abbey) (Brussels: Ernult-Doncq, 1913).
25. Notre Dame du Bouchet. Blanc, Berry, France; Quebec. 1920. Photos of items from the French church.
26. Notre Dame de la Foi. Our Lady of Faith. Chaucy, Abbeville, France.
Our Lady of Techwin. Russia.
27. Notre Dame de La Foi. Our Lady of Faith. Gravelines, France.
29. Nuestra Señora dela Deliverance. Madrid, Spain. See also Dec. 16.
Council of Trent affirms the Immaculate Conception. 1546:
"This same holy Synod doth nevertheless declare, that it is not its intention to include in this decree, where original sin is treated of, the blessed and immaculate Virgin Mary, the mother of God; but that the constitutions of Pope Sixtus IV., of happy memory, are to be observed, under the pains contained in the said constitutions, which it renews."
30. Notre Dame de Gris. Besançon, France. 1602.
31. Nossa Senhora/Our Lady of the Slain. Ceiça, Lorban, Portugal. Chapel.
MOVABLE FEASTS
Saturday after the Fourth Sunday of July: Mother of Mercy. Mother of Mercy Messengers. Essay on the title, by Johann Roten.
Last Saturday in July: Our Lady, Help of those in their last agony.
Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
1. Mary appears to the three founders of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy/Order for Redeeming Captives. 1218. (See Aug. 10.)
2. Our Lady of the Angels. Assisi, Italy; Cartago, Costa Rica. 13th century.
4. Our Lady of Dordrecht. Netherlands. Shrine built by St. Santera.
5. Our Lady of the Snow. Commemorates the dedication of the Church of St. Mary Major. Rome. 352. Repository of Jesus' crib.
Our Lady of Protection
Mary gives Blessed Alberic the white habit, 1109. The habit became the clothing for Cistercian monks, and they commemorate the day with the title "Descent of The Blessed Virgin Mary at Citeaux, and the Miraculous Change of the Black Habits for White Ones, while Alberic was Abbot."
6. Church of Our Lady of Chartres is burnt but Mary's tunic is miraculously preserved. See also July 13, Aug. 17, Oct. 17, Dec. 22, Dec. 31.
7. Our Lady of Schiedam. Netherlands. 15th century.
8. Our Lady of Kuehn/La Kuen. Near Brussels, Belgium.
9. Our Lady of Oegnies. Brabant, Netherlands.
10. Order of Our Lady of Mercy is instituted. Barcelona, Spain. 1218. Created by St. Peter Nolasco to ransom Christian captives/slaves from Barbary Coast Moors. A military order of the Kingdom of Aragon.
11. Our Lady of the Way/Madonna della Strada . Original icon. Icon in its church home. As a type of the icon of the Hodegetria. Painting. Another painting. Painting at University of Scranton. Homily. Electronic greeting card. Matruska doll. Monastery in Crete. Association of Our Lady of the Way (Unio Beate Mariae Virginis a Strata; Unserer Lieben Frau vom Wege Gemeinschaft). And St. Ignatius. Originally a Jesuit devotion. See also Dec. 18.
12. Notre Dame de Rouen. Normandy, France.
La Conquistadora. Marian statue (now, the oldest Madonna in the United States) miraculously rescued from Indian attack and arson of a church in Sante Fe, New Mexico. 1680. Twentieth-century history of the statue's kidnapping, travels and adventures.
13. Our Lady of the Passion. Moscow, Russia.
Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners.
Dormition of Mary. 58. "Falling asleep" before the Assumption.
14. Vigil of the Assumption (fast).
15. Assumption of Mary. Instituted by Pope Leo IV in 847. ("Repose" on the Orthodox calendar.)
Our Lady of the Kings. Granada, Spain.
Mary and Joseph appear to St. Teresa of Ávila.
Our Lady of Acheropita/Ferragosto. São Paulo; Brazil; Rossano, Italy. 1140.
The Cathedral of Rossano is home of the Byzantine-style fresco "Madonna acheropita" ("Madonna not made by hands" or "non dipinta da mano umana"). Feast. Sofferetti News: "Mary who speaks and wants immediately to stamp her beauty of love on each one of us in order to make everyone of us, not only an Acheropita in a drawing, but the True Achiropita radiant with Love for God and for all humanity. This she wants and this she comes to do with us: to make us into her image, her icon, her Living Achiropita." The word "Acheropita" (variant: "Achiropita"; dimunitive: "Achi") is of Greek origin, reflecting the Byzantine Empire's control of Rossano during much of the first millennium A.D.
16. Madonna della Trapani. Sicily, Italy.
17. Philip the Fair, King of France, wins a battle after asking the aid of Our Lady of Chartres. 1304. Not be construed as a personal endorsement of this greedy king who persecuted the Knights Templar to confiscate their wealth. July 13, Aug. 6, Aug. 17, Dec. 22, Dec. 31.
18. Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven.
Nuestra Señora de Torcaroma. Columbia.
19. Our Lady of the Don. Russia. 1380.
Nossa Senhora/Our Lady of Jerusalem. Near Montecarro, Portugal.
20. Commemoration of St. Bernard's "Ave Maria." Brabant, Netherlands.
21. Our Lady of Knock. Ireland. 1879. Ireland's most famous apparition.
22. Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Background. Ad Caeli Reginam, Encyclical on Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary, Pope Pius XII, October 11, 1954.
Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Seven Joys of Our Lady. Celebrated by the Franciscans.
23. Our Lady of Victory. 1328. Mary helps Philip of Valois defeat the Flemings.
24. Notre Dame de Benoite-Vaux. France.
25. Madonna della Mt. Berico. Near Vicenza, Italy.
Madonna della Rossano. Calabria, Italy.
26. Our Lady of Arbour/ Notre Dame de la Treille. (Douai/Douay, France. 1543.
27. Notre Dame de Moustier. Near Sisteron, France.
Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
28. Our Lady of Kiev. Ukraine. 1240.
29. Our Lady of Clermont. Cracovia/Cracow. Poland.
30. Notre Dame de la Délivrance. Martinique.
Nossa Senhora/Our Lady of Carquera/Carquere. Portugal.
31. Our Lady of the Founders. Constantinople.
Deposition of Our Lady's Girdle in Our Lady of Founders Church.
Placement of the Zone (Belt). Orthodox.
During the reign of Emperor Arkadios, this relic was found in a household in Jerusalem, and brought to Constantinople, where it was placed in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in place called the Chalkepratois. The Zone is associated with several miracles, including curing an incurable fatal disease from which Empress Zoe, the wife of Emperor Leo, was dying in 486. Later, Empress Pulcheria had gold threads sewn into the Zone. In 1101, the Zone was moved for safe-keeping to to the Monastery of Vatepedi on Mount Athos. (Source: George Poulos, Orthodox Saints, vol. 3).
MOVABLE FEASTS
Saturday after the Assumption: Notre Dame de la Garde. Marseille, France.
Notre Dame de
Grace. Cambrai, France.
Sunday before August 22: Holy Heart of Mary
Sunday after August. Our Lady of Antwerp. Belgium.
Last Sunday of August: Our Lady of Constantinople. Isle of Ischia, Italy.
Saturday before the last Sunday of August: Our Lady, Health of the Sick
Saturday after August 28: Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted/Mary of
Consolation/Our Lady
of Consolation. Celebrated by the Augustinians.
Friday/Sunday nearest August 29. Festas da Senhora da Agonia (Feast of Our Lady of Suffering). Also called the Viana Festa. A major festival in Portugal. In Viana do Castelo, Portugal,
it is a joyous celebration where the Virgin is carried over carpets of flowers laid out in intricate designs in a procession from her chapel to the docks. Floats bearing the region's produce are paraded. Another procession is made up of girls wearing national costume and the kilos of gold jewelry in which their families invest their savings. The Bishop leads a procession of fishermen down to the sea for the blessing of the fishing fleet. The festivities continue for three days and nights, culminating with the city's only bullfight and a display of fireworks exploding into coloured patterns over the river and town.
Last Wednesday in August: Our Lady of Czestochowa. Poland. Very detailed history of the Virgin rescuing Czestochowa from invaders in the mid-17th century. Black madonna.
Month of Our Lady of Sorrows
1. Collection of the all Feasts of Our Lady. Louvain, Belgium.
Our Lady del Puche. Valencia, Spain.
Our Lady of the Girdle. Tortoso, Spain.
Our Lady of Remedios Near Mexico City.
Our Lady of Solitude. Mexico City.
2. Our Lady of Helbron/Nettles. Franconia, Germany. 1441.
3. Mother of the Divine Shepherd. France.
5. Our Lady of Smolensk. Russia.
6. Our Lady of Guadalupe. Spain.
