Back in January I commented on the Feast of Mary under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. This is a very French tradition carried to the New Orleans area by the Ursuline nuns. In that post, I recount the story of how the nuns prayed for Our Lady to protect New Orleans during the British seige at the end of the war of 1812. After a favorable result, it has been a uniquely New Orleans Catholic tradition to pray with Our Lady to spare us from natural disasters. Prompt Succor is literally translated quick help or hasten to help.
In Catholic Churches across Louisiana, especially in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, we call on her help during hurricane season; which runs from June 1st through November 30th. This year, encouraged by our Archbishop, every church has been invoking Mary's name, under the title Our Lady of Prompt Succor, for assistance with the Gulf oil crisis. We pray for the protection of our coast, the environment, the impacted wildlife and for the thousands of families whose lives have been devastated by the disaster.
And now tonight, we go to bed with a wary eye on the Yucutan penisula as word is spreading that a tropical system will be in the Gulf by Monday evening or Tuesday. No one can really predict the impact of a Gulf storm in light of the oil crisis. And of course, no one can predict the path of the tropical depression beyond a few days.
We have been through much these past few years. I predict we will show our toughness and grit again. But in the meantime, we invite all to join us in southeast Louisiana in prayer for continued protection from both this 1st storm of the season and the ongoing oil disaster.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor: pray for us!
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