What is the devotion to Our Lady of Good Help?
Our Lady of Good Help, also known as Our Lady of La Salette or Our Lady of the Rosary, is a Marian devotion that is particularly popular in the Catholic Church. This devotion centers around the belief that the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to a young Belgian woman named Adele Brise in 1859 in a small village in Wisconsin, United States. According to the story, Mary appeared to Adele as she was walking through a field, and she spoke to Adele about the importance of prayer and the need for people to turn away from sin and return to God.
The story of the apparition of Our Lady of Good Help quickly spread throughout the local community and beyond, and many people began to visit the site of the apparition in order to pray and seek blessings. Over time, a chapel was built at the site of the apparition, and it became a popular pilgrimage destination for Catholics.
One of the unique aspects of the devotion to Our Lady of Good Help is that it has been officially recognized by the Catholic Church. In 2010, the bishop of the Green Bay Diocese in Wisconsin, David Ricken, officially declared that the apparition of Our Lady of Good Help was worthy of belief, making it the only Marian apparition in the United States to receive such recognition.
The devotion to Our Lady of Good Help also emphasizes the importance of the Rosary, with Mary having encouraged Adele to pray the Rosary in her apparition. Many Catholics who are devoted to Our Lady of Good Help make a point of praying the Rosary on a regular basis, often at the site of the apparition or at home in their own communities.
Many people who have visited the site of the apparition have reported experiencing spiritual healings and conversions as a result of their visit, with some saying that they felt a sense of peace and forgiveness after visiting the chapel. Many Catholics believe that Our Lady of Good Help continues to intercede for them, helping to guide them on their spiritual journey.
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Good Help is celebrated on September 8th. On this day, Catholics gather at the chapel to pray, sing hymns and attend mass in honor of Our Lady. Many people make a pilgrimage to the chapel on this day, sometimes traveling from great distances.
The devotion to Our Lady of Good Help is also spread by the missionaries of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. These men and women travel around the United States and Canada, spreading the message of Our Lady of Good Help and promoting devotion to her. Through their efforts, many more people have come to know about the apparition and to develop a deeper devotion to Our Lady of Good Help.
Devotion to Our Lady of Good Help is a strong and growing Marian devotion in the Catholic Church, which centers around the belief that the Virgin Mary appeared to a young Belgian woman named Adele Brise in 1859. The message of this apparition, which emphasized the importance of prayer and the need for people to turn away from sin and return to God, has resonated with many Catholics, and the site of the apparition has become a popular pilgrimage destination. The devotion to Our Lady of Good Help is recognized by the Catholic Church and celebrated on September 8th, and has many devotees who claim to have experienced spiritual healing and conversions after visiting the site.
The feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel is celebrated on April 26th by the Catholic Church. Our Lady of Good Counsel is a devotion to the Virgin Mary that is based on the apparition of the Virgin Mary to the people of the city of Genazzano in Italy in the 15th century.
Here are a few ways that Catholics may celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel:
Mass and Prayer: Many Catholics will attend Mass on April 26th, and may also pray the Rosary and other devotions, such as the Litany of Loreto, in honor of the Virgin Mary.
Visiting a Shrine or Church: Some Catholics may choose to visit a shrine or church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel, such as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy.
Devotional Activities: Some Catholics may choose to participate in devotional activities such as fasting, almsgiving, or other acts of charity in honor of the Virgin Mary.
Adoration and Confession: Many parishes may offer opportunities for adoration of the blessed sacrament, confession and other spiritual activities related to the feast day.
Special Prayers: Catholics may also recite specific prayers such as the prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Procession and Rosary: Some local communities may organize a procession to carry a statue of Our Lady of Good Counsel and recite the Rosary in honor of the feast day.
It’s worth noting that the celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel may vary depending on the location and the traditions of the local Catholic community. Some countries may have a special celebration for the feast day, such as parades, music, and other cultural activities.