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Digitized by \he Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
University of Toronto
http://www.archive.org/details/ourladyofperpetuOOcoyl
)Lir Lady of Perpetual Succour
and Ireland
Á^ ITlAig'oeAn Sio|v-CAt:)t\AC
. BY
REV. JOHN B. COYLE, C.SS.R.
S. I1v\ C. 'o'AlfCjMJ
SECU.XD ED J T/OX
Dublin
M. H. GILL & SON, LTD.
50 rPl'KR OCONXKLL STREKT.
1913
pcrmissu Supcrioruin.
C \>ngreg ; SSnii RefU-mptur
^ ■ ^
nihil Obstat :
JOANNES WATERS,
Censor Theol. Deput.
Imprimi potest:
4- GULIELMUS,
Archiep. Dublinen,
HlBERNI^ PrIMAS.
DUBLINI, die 9° Junii, 1913.
In obedience to the Decree of Urban VIII., the Author declares
that he has no intention of attributing any other than purely human
authorities to the miracles, revelations, favours and particular cases
related in this book.
Part I
SCA1R tIA tn.ACSAlillA
THE STORY OF THE PICTURE
IO]A-CAt)|lAÓ
\\\e I
triAn An cAiiir^-wpfACSArhAit An mÁtAn
síon-tAt3UAC O'ii ointeAU.
/
O'll OiiAce^f "oo til^cf ArfiAil Á|\ VÍ\ÁtAij\ Sío|\
6aV)\^a6, Aguf if cofiriAii 5U|\ f^otA^
oeAj^-oui-oe A t!)í iniAf 'fAn cfíorhAt) Aoif
"oéAg í. "Oá úi^íj fin cujCAfi Ó5 An Oipriii
niA-p Ainm 50 mime a\\ ah tílACfArhAiL feo
itluijAe. An i"CAi]\ "oo t)Aiti léi A^uf Ati m\]iAim
■00 cu5CAf t)! ní peitJiiv Tiuinn Anoif A tofg "oo
leAnriiAin níof fiA fiAfi 'nÁ "oeifeAt) nA CÚ15-
liieAt) AOife "oéAj, cpÁt t)Áf cugAt) ciitn nA
fvóttiA ó CféACA í te ceAnnui'óe C|\ÁiDteAó ó'n
oileÁn foin. IDa iAó-t)óbAi|A nA UufCAig A5
5At)ÁiL C-péACA An CAn foin.
A5 "oéAnArii AniAc a\\ "óeifeAt) nA liAontriAt)
AOIfe "OéAJ JAt) nA UupcAig Cacai|\ nAoriicA
lAfúfAiLeim, Agvif tÁinig Sí|\ if An Áife "ÓeAj
pÁ n-A firiAcc. t)'ionAnn fo no tneit\5e lÍlocA-
mAiT) 1 jconine C|\oife Cf íof c. Ótnp CAicticige nA
íieóppA nA pifV COIÍIHAIC t)A (:;fÓ"CA ACA AniAÓ Ag
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
and Ireland
HOW THE PICTURE OF OUR LADY OF PER-
PETUAL SUCCOUR CAME FROM THE EAST
THE Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour is of Eastern origin, and the
work probably of a Greek artist of
the Thirteenth Century. Hence, " the Vir-
gin of the Orient " is a name often given
to this Picture of Mary. At present we
are unable to trace its history, or the devo-
tion to it, beyond the close of the Fifteenth
Centur}^ when it was brought to Rome
from Crete by a pious merchant of that
island. Crete was then in imminent peril
of invasion by the Turks.
Towards the end of the Eleventh Century
the Turks captured the Holy City of Jerusa-
lem and became masters of Syria and Asia
Minor. It was the Crescent of Mohammed
against the Cross of Christ. Catholic Europe
sent out its bravest fighting men to give
3
4 ÁR inAi$i)eAii síoR-ó aDiiaC is éiH.e
C1101T) 1 ii-A5<!kit) nÁimt)e Á]\ gctAeiTDirii, A^uy
t)í xi5 eifge if A5 Ait-eijxge te Afni tucc
cofAticA riA C-poife ■^u\\. ac^a^ax)á\^ lA-f\úfAileini
If gllf •Óíb|\eA'OA|\ tA]\ 11-A1f iUÓC All itlí-Cfei "01111.
^cc, póii\iO|t, 11Í0|\ tDUAn-tJuAit) é. 1T1 A|V "óíogAiL A{^
peACAÍt) CtAíofCui"óce i^' mA]\ ax>V)A]\ X)eA\\■^-nÁ^\\e
■oo'ti GópAip óoi"óce lei5 Dia iu\ g^oi^ie "oo
t!)Al,tAllD ílAOtritA pAlAlfCÍII ClllClttl Ajlíf fÁ feilt)
nÁirh"oe c|\ei"oitTi if c|M'ofcui'óeAccA. XXguf "oA
féi|\ fin connAccAf b-pAC buA.t)A tia CiAeifcemce
Agu-p bfAC "otib nA nlfteAiriAó a^ cfooAt) óf
cionn iiA cí^e tnAt\ a]\ ]\u^ax> Cf íof c á|\ 'oCijeA-priA
1]' triAf Af niAi|v if iiiAf A-p éA5 Sé, Agiif cÁ fé
Afv ciiocAt) pÁ t)tiAi"í) Ann 50 "ocí n-Áf \\é péin
AnuAf. SAniic if éAX) if AC|\Ann iia Tlíog if ha
ScÁc 'f'^^" 1a|\ca|\ A^tif AriifAf if peAll-beAiicA
if eAfAoncAf nA ngféA^Aó 'fAn Oii\ceAi\ "o'-frÁSA-
■OA]A 5An fcuAitn CiiíofCui"óce iia hGóHpA i
"o-cfeó 50 fiAib ceAt) a gcof A5 UtincAóAib. X)o
5At)A"DAf fo fvómpA Y\A\^ mAf foin 50 nAngA-OAjA
An eo^Alp -péin, AgUf "OO 5At)A"OAfl Cacai^a Coti-
VCAincín 1 nibLiA'óAin a 1453- T)ei6 mbliAt)nA
pióeAT) 111 bA "óiA'ónAije "oo bAgAi^; An "OAfA
TnotAIDAIt) A-p All l0T)Áll. Aguf ní bA5A11\C 5An
bfvíg "oo bí 1 n-A Aijne. Ciii^t aii bÁf C|^íoc Ve
jAbÁlcAi'' An 1ahcai|\, Áni, niA|\ bí beAi\cvii5ce aj
■niotAmAIT), AgUf "o'eilMg COgAt) 1T)1|\ A CLAHin If
t)'f^5 1V\n 50 bACAÓ COtflACC 11A fíl0tA111AT0eA<"-,
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 5
battle to the enemies of our religion, and
victory after victor}^ crowned the arms of
the Crusaders until Jerusalem was retaken
and the infidels driven back. But alas !
victory was only for a time. As a punish-
ment for the sins of Christians, and to the
everlasting disgrace of Europe, God allowed
the Holy Places of Palestine to fall again
into the hands of the enemies of the Christian
religion and civilisation ; and the victorious
standard of the Crescent, the black flag of
Islamism, floats over the land where Christ
our Lord was born, and lived and died, and
floats triumphant even unto our days. The
selfishness, the jealousies, and mutual quar-
rels of Kings and States in the West, the
suspicions, treacheries, and schisms of the
Greeks in the East, paralysed Christian
Europe and gave the Turks a free hand.
Extending their conquests, therefore, to-
wards the West they entered Europe itself,
and in 1453 they captured Constantinople.
Thirty years later Mohammed IL threatened
Italy. This was not intended to be merely
an idle threat. Death, however, put an end
to Mohammed's schemes of Western con-
quest, and civil w^ar amongst his sons
crippled the Mohammedan power. Needless
6 Am iiiAi$T)eAn sior-ó'aIíraó is énie
tli sÁóA-ó A ^yAX) 50 |AAit) bó|\"OA ■oe1fce1t^c tia
hGojApA Ajuf oileAiti 111a|a<\ ■oUoiia^mati a\\ X)eA\\^-
leAtAt> riAó móf\ |\oini ^■^^^^^'^^r Cuhcaó Ajuf
"OÁ OiAíg fin "oo teió 11A céA-ocA ó úaUaiG "oe
leitéix) C^yeAZA Af tofvg ceAfmoinn '-p^" 1o"OÁil
An c-Am 50 lipuileAm A5 CAjAifvc "oi .1. ■oeijieAt)
nA cúi5ttieA"ó Aoife tJéAg, cuAit "oe t)einíf
■00 b'eAt) C|\éACA, mA^ "oo fa'AttitAit) te ciAncAit)
|\oitTiif fin, Ajuf niA|\ Aon teif fin t)í fé Af
■óiincAit) •oAingeAnA "oeifceifc GófpA. 250,000
ÁipeAfii An pobuil "oo bí Ann ; t)í ceAlLA 50
í\Ait)feAttiAit Ann fó fiAgAlCAf Aon eAftiuig
"oéAj, Ajuf cACAit\ ÓAintDe mAf 1pAi|\óe Ái|A"oeAf-
buig ACA. Cé 50 f\Ait) tuóc An rtiíófei'oiiri A5
fÍ0|\-t)A5A1]AC If A5 fíOI^-gAbÁlt OftCA', "OO feAf Alttl
CfíofCtii"óce cfó"óA An oileAin feo 50 ceAnn nA
gciAn. ílíofv eipig le UufCAóAib An Áic ■oo
gAbÁit 50 bliA"óAin A 1669, Ajuf Annfoin féin
if AriilA 5AbA"ó é CAf éif fui-óe x>e fui"ócib
pA"OA An cfAogAit .1. fui"óe "OO bí A]\ fiiibAl 50
ceAnn óeicfe btiA'ónA fióeA-o.
SeAt) mÁ'f eA"ó : if ó'n oiteÁn f o Cf éACA -oo
teió inoit-ouiT) *OAOine fÁ 'óeifeA'ó nA cúigtfieAt)
Aoife "oéAj. CeAnnui'óe cfÁibteAó "oo b'eA-ó
"otnne aca fo. "Dí feó"o 1 n-A feitb if bA ifió
Aige í 'nÁ A AnAni féin. "O'fonn a cofAinc A]\
riiAflAt) if A|\ ríiiUeA'6 "OO fCAf fé 50 coilceAnAó
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 7
to say, the southern coasts of Europe and
the islands of the INIediterrancan sea were
greatl}' exposed to Turkish invasion, and
hence hundreds fled from such places as
Crete to seek safety in Italy and the West.
At the period of which we write, the
end of the Fifteenth Century, Crete was,
as indeed it had been for centuries before,
a province of Venice, and one of the best-
defended out-posts of Southern Europe.
It had a population then of 250,000 ;
was fully provided with churches and
a hierarchy of eleven bishops, with the
city of Candia as the Archiepiscopal
See. Though incessantly threatened and
attacked by the infidels, this brave Christian
island held out for long centuries. Not
until 1669 was it taken by the Turks,
and then only after one of the longest
sieges in the world's history — a siege of
twenty-four years.
Now, it was from this island of Crete that
many fled towards the end of the Fifteenth
Century, and one of the band was a certain
pious merchant who possessed a treasure
dearer to him than life itself, and to save it
from the danger of profanation and destruc-
tion he now willingly left all. This treasure
8 An niAig-ooAii síor-óaDuac is Cmuc
Leif ^ti uile nit). mACfAiiiAil iu\omcA Á\\
ITlÁtA-fv Sioi\-cAt!)i\Aó A t)í 'fAn feot), if niof tt'é
A tiiAlAific. A^v bó]\x> tuinje tei-p, -A^uf An
feót) beAnnuigce fo Af lomouji ^156, "oo'n IcoAiL.
-Aju]^ péAc cujAinn " 0^ An Oifcif " Anoif,
peAó " A5 ceAcc Í A]\ nóf eii\5e An lAe com jcaI
te geAlAij, coin jLé le Sféin " ótim beAnnAóCA
If site "DO leAtAt) Af •puiT) An lAftAljX CéAt)
mile fÁilce pómAC Anoif, a lilAij-oeAn fionn An
Oif tif , A íÍlÁtAif triilif nA Siof-cAt»f AC !
Atl CéAT) t1iiont)Ait
"DéAnfA-Ó nA "OUlJ-ÓOtflACCA COfC "OO cuf at;\
ceAóc nA inACfAmlA nAomcA -oA mbeAt) 1 n-A
gcumAf. Alii All If •0Á mbA lÁn-eól "oóib cat)
^AX> nA íieAffAit)e fpiof Ai-oeAtiilA "oo bi A5 An
luing fin x>Á mbfeic cum An lAftAif bA "oóij le
•ouine 5iif icffeAnn t)o fCAoilCAt) Af ofCAilc
50 bobAnn 1 n-A coinne. Seo AnfAX) btiile Ag
fcuAbAt) nA fAiffge A5Uf conncA A5 a f a'oa'ó
féin T)e "ófiiim An lonjÁin •oáiia 1 "ocfeó ^uf
fAoileAt) 50 5CAillfit)e 5AÓ nit). 1 lÁf nA
ngÁf -oo cÁflA T)e bAff fceoin A5Uf éAt)óóAif
fÁini5 Aon feAf AtiiÁin 50 cneAfCA .1. ceAnniii'oe
cfÁibteAó CféACA. T)o cfeit) feif eAn nÁ
ceipeAt) TléAlc nA ITlAf a ofCA An cfÁC foin ;
tTlACf AttiAil Áf TTIÁtAf Síof-cAbf AC 50 n'oeÁf nA
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 9
was none other than the holy Picture of
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. With this
blessed treasure he took ship for Italj^.
And behold, the " Virgin of the Orient " is
now coming, " coming forth as the morning
rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun,"
to bless and brighten the West ! A hundred
thousand welcomes before thee, coming
West to us, thou fair Virgin of the Orient,
sweet Mother of Perpetual Succour !
THE FIRST MIRACLE
The powers of darkness would prevent the
coming of the holy Picture if only they
could. As if knowing full well what spiritual
goods that vessel was bearing to the West,
hell seemed suddenly to loose itself against
it. A violent tempest swept the sea,
the waves dashed over the brave little ship,
and all seemed lost. Amidst the cries of
terror and despair one man was calm — the
pious Cretan merchant. He believed the
Star of the Sea would not fail them in that
hour, that Our Lady of Perpetual Succour's
Picture that he had saved from the infidels
would be their salvation now. He reverently
took the miraculous Picture, and, holding
lO All mAlg-OCAtl SÍ<ítl-CAlJU-AÓ IS ^IHC
fé péiii A co]Minc A|\ luce mi-opei-oitn. "Do tog
fé 50 hU|\|iAtnAó ^n niACf^tti^ML rhiofVí^ilceAó,
■o'áii"Oui5 fé f uAf í, if ai'DuttAific óf ÁfT) : " \:éA-
óAit) An cí fMOfíTAf finn ! Síof xJ]a t»u|\ nglúnAitl)
Lit) 50 n-inipijmí'O 1 n--AenpeA6c A|\ t1lÁtAi|\
beAnningte Dé ! " "pÁ óeAnn neómAic t)io"OA|\
uiLe A|A A ngluriAifj 1 lÁtA\\\. r\A TnACfAitilA ■^'S^V
,^AX> Ag 1A|\1AA1'Ó AfV lilACAIf X)é CAt)A1|\ X)0 CAt)xM|\i;
XtÓlO 1f 1A"0 "CO -pAOfVAt). Aguf "o'eifcig p' te
n-A gcuiT) pAi-OfveAC. /(Xt^ -pAt) An -pocAii "oi, -pÁ
triA-p tÁ|\lA An CAn *oo lAOAifv A IIIac íof a, tÁini5
An-óAlm Ann. UéALc nA mA|\A 50 nibíonn
éileAríi ui|\te A5 luoc lomnÁrhA 1 tÁtA1|^ juAife,
■00 lonnjiAit) fí 0|\CA 50 CAOin, Aguf cneAfuij
fí An -pAiffge óoirhtigeAó "ooit). Seo é An
ÓéAX) ríl10t^t)All A ÓUIlACeAJA 1 leic Á-p ITIÁCA^
Síol^-6A0flAó. 1 gcionn cúplA iÁ tjeifv í^aoc
oi|\eAriinAó An iongÁn ó C\\éAZÁ 50 héAt r\A
CibfeAó. lAjA "oceAóc Af "ociiA tjó 1 nOfC "oo
gUiAif An ceAnnuTóe pÁ t)éin nA KómA, Aguf
lllACf AiriAit Á-p ITlÁtAiA nAottiCA At\ iomCiit\ Aige.
All niACSAiiiAU tiAOríitA 'SAti nóuli
t)'é "oeonujA-o "Oé Aguf coil, Áf tTlÁtAp "Dia-oa
50 n-DéAnpAi-óe onóip "oo CAbAipc '-p-*" Uóirii
"oo'n itlAC-pAttiAiL miopbAiLcig 1 ^ciimA ip 50
fCAipeAt) fí 50 ceitfe Á\\T>A^X) r\A cptnnne, péin,
■polAf if 5H-&fCA if fíoiA-óonsnAtfi ó n-A fcpín
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR ii
it lip, cried aloud : " Behold her who must
save us ! On your knees and let us in\'oke
together the blessed Mother of God ! " In
a moment all were on their knees before
the Picture calling upon the ^lother of God
to succour and save them. And she heard
their prayers. At her word, as when Jesus
her Son spoke, there came a gi'eat calm.
The Star of the Sea, so dear to mariners in
danger, shone sweeth' upon them, stilling
the angiy waters. This is the first recorded
miracle of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
In a few days a favouring breeze bore the
little Cretan sliip to the mouth of the Tiber.
Having disembarked at Ostia, the merchant,
Nnth his Pictm-e of Our Lady, set out for
Rome.
THE HOLY PICTURE IN ROME
It was God"s will and the will of the
Divine Mother that the miraculous Picture
should be honom-ed in Rome, so that from
her glorious shrine in the capital of the
Christian world and the centre of Religion
she might send forth, as from the very heart
of the Church, light and grace and perpetual
12 a5.R m AlgXtCAII SÍOR-ÓAtJH AC IS óitíe
5ló-f\ni^i|\ 1 bpi^ioni-óACAH\ ati "Domain C-[M'ofCui"óe
If Ó tÁt<M|i ATI cf\ei"oiríi, AtriAit If "OA mbA ó "oeA^li-
c^AOToe nA liGAjlAife é.
If A-p éigeAti "00 b'eóL "oo óeAiinuit)e cjiAibteAc
C-|AéACA CAT) bA 'oeonugA'o "Oé i -orAoib riA
tllACfAiiilA riAoniCA, Acc iiiof b'fA-OA 50 fAlb
fAn te ieii^iugAt). UÁini5 cinneAf c-poni A-p ati
gceAntnn'óe 1 "ocig óAfAt). lilotinj fé 50 fAib
"oei-peAt) A fAojAit iÁiiíi leif. "O'lApp fé Ap a
óA^AAiT) ceAóc CAob te n-A ieAbAit), Aguf óuií\ fé
"o'fiAóAib Ai-p geAltAtriAin "oo tAbAipc uAit) 50
gCUipfl-Oe All lilACf AtilAlt A]\ CpOOAt) 1 5CIII "06
óeAllAib ^^A CAcpAc. Uuja'ó niA-p jeAllAtiiAin
fOlAlilATlCA "ÓÓ AgVlf é A5 f AgÁll, bÁlf 50 TTOeAtl-
fAi^oe "OO -péi-p A cotA. X)Á éif feo puAifv An
ceATinuToe cpÁibteAó bÁf rriAp bA "óuAt "oo
jiottA riiAit "oiUf "oo'n tilAig-oin "DeAnnmjce .1.
Á-p TTIAtAif Siop-CAbpAc. 5° t^AbAtnAip-riA coiii
"oilif A5 tnotAt) ITluipe if 111 A-p bi feifCAii 1 "ocfeo
50 bfAgAm A fAiiiAit "oe bÁf féAmiiAp mAp
tO-pAt) A^ f AOUAp Áp f AOJAl.
If éigni t)o "oeoinijAt) "Oé cup f uAf le fÁpujA'ó
"oe jnÁr. An upfAini puiblit)e tugcAi'óe "oo
ttlACfAtriAlL Áf 1"HÁCA|\ Síop-óAbpAó bA fó-
éAóCAó If bA pó-nAotiitA An mt) é, Aguf níop
b'fuLÁi-p t)o SÁZAn cuf 1 n-A comne. SAtnUiig
fé 50 pAib coniACCA An uitc iÁn-ceAptA A]\
fpiAn "OO óup leif An uppAnn a beipci"óe T)o'n
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUli 13
succour even to the very ends of the
earth.
Our pious Cretan merchant scarcely knew
the full designs of Providence in regard to
the holy Picture, but they were soon to be
made manifest. The merchant fell griev-
ously ill in the house of a friend. Feeling
that his end was drawing near he summoned
his friend to his bedside and made him
promise to have the Picture set up in one of
the churches in the city. The solemn promise
was given to the dying man that his will
would be carried out. After this the pious
merchant died the death of a good and true
servant of the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour. May we be as faithful
as he in devotion to Mary that a like happy
death may be the reward of our lives.
The holy designs of God have, as a rule,
to suffer contradiction. The public venera-
tion of the Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour was too great and too holy a thing
not to be opposed by Satan. To prevent,
then, the spread of devotion to the Picture,
and indeed all knowledge of it outside, the
powers of evil seemed fully determined.
The wife of the man in whose house the
Picture was became so fascinated with the
14 ÁR niAig-oeATi síoR-C;At)Rc\ó IS éiRe
1ÍlAC]Mni-Ait A^tif -^An teiginc "oo'ti pobAt aoh
eóL^f ■o'fAgÁil 1 n -A CAoiO. "beAn An p\\ juf
pAgAt) Atl lllACfAtllAlt 1 n-A tl5 ÓU1í\ fí oit^eAT»
l'An f iiime 'im^'' reó"o fó-tiiACfhA|\ tiá i^cAfipAt) -pí
lél bA ÓUtTIA CAT) "OéAl^íTAt) A ITeAp tél. AtI
peA]\ péiii géill fé "DO "óÁnAi'óeAóc a óéile, Aguf
t»|Mf fé ATI jeAllAtllAlll "OÍOTIgtílÁlCA 'OO CUJ fé
X)o'n óeAnTuii"óe Ajuf é A|a t)fUAC t)Áif. teif
fin CAit)0]U5eA"ó -oo 50 lipACA fé ati 1ÍlAi5"oeAn
t)eATitnii5te if gtif Ca^ai^ fí ai^a nÁ-p Ij'pulÁif
•OÓ tl'DACC A 510UA If é A]\ fefUAO t)Á1f *00 ÓÓHfltíO-
iiAt). 'O'lTinif fé fo t)Á riiriAoi ; aóc if auiIa tií
■pife Ag 5Á1|Mt)0 f'Á n-A IJAOt-tAI'ÓtifeAril. t)Aj;A1|\
TlíogAn Tlein'ie Aif aii "OA-pA tiAif\ if An í:i\eAf
uAi|\, Aóc ní fAit) "oe niifneAó Ann géilleA'ó "ói
feoóAf géitteAt) "oA nniAoi. p^ "oeifeAT) óon-
nACúA-p "oó An ceACí\AtiiA'ó uAifi Aifling lilvii|\e
ltlÁtAi|\ "Oé ; cÁin fí 50 5éA|\ é, a5U|- A-ouDAif c :
" 1 x>z\\eó 50 ttpA^A'D-f A An C15 f eo ní -pulÁiiv
"ouic-fe é -pÁgAinc 1 "ocofAó." ÚÁinig CAom
A]\ All ÚpeAjA AgUf CAllleAt) é fA|^A pA"DA.
An nTó CfUAi_<5niéileAó fo, DeAt) cot^A-o "OA
t)An|\ tÁic|veAó 5An Ariif A-p ! ACc ní -pAiG :
coimeAT) An GCAn "OAnA An lilACf AttiAil -póf.
tDAin IIIÁCA111 nA uí\ócAipe lAfipAóc Af flige
niiA"ó, Ajuf 6eAp fi longAncAifi-oe nuAt)A. Iá "oá
|\Ait) cAilín beAg An cige Ag 5111^)6 1 lACAii^ nA
TTlACfArhlA "Qo tAt)Aifv Á|\ TnÁtAi|\ lieAnnuijte
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 15
precious treasure that not all the remon-
strances of her husband could bring her to
part with it. The husband, yielding before
the wife's determination, broke his solemn
promise to the dying merchant. Whereupon
the Blessed Virgin appeared to him in a
dream and warned him to carry out the will
of her dying client. He told his wife, but
she only laughed at his silly dreams. A
second and a third time the Queen of
Heaven warned him, but he had not the
courage to obey her rather than his wife.
At last, in a fourth vision, Mary, the Mother
of God, severely reprimanded the husband,
and said : " That I may leave this house it
must needs be that you leave it first." The
man fell sick, and died soon after.
This tragic event would surely have an
immediate effect. But no ; the audacious
woman still retained the Picture. Our
Lady mercifully tried new means and worked
new wonders. One day when the little
daughter of the house was praying before
the Picture Our Lady spoke to this innocent
child, giving it a message for her moi^her.
The child hastened to her mocher.
" Mother," she cried, " I have just seen
in our house a lady — a more beautiful and
iG All tnAlg'OCAn SÍOIl-CAlJIlAÓ IS Cmiio
leif An leAiilJ fo jaii CÁim Aguf tug X)i ceAccAip-
eAóc "OA mACAiii. T)o ^mc Ati leAnG 50 "oci ti-a
niÁtA1]\. " -A tflÁCAI^Aj" AjA fi, " Ó0T1Í1AC bCAH
uAfAl 'fAn C15 Aiioif •oijieAo. iDeAii tiio]^ Áilne
nÁ iiiof AiiiifA iií'l 'fAn Uóitíi. Ap fife tioni :
' Uéijif Aguf AbAif le X)' riiÁCAijA guf miAii le
niÁCAIf Y\ó SÍ0f-CAl)|\AC A IllACfAtilAlL -00 IJeiC
At\ cpocAt) 1 5Cllt "oe ÓeAllAlG tlA RótllA 1 gCOtilAIJl
up[VAiine puiblTóe.' " 1p tía foctAiO fo luAi"óce
cugAnti An t1lAi5"oeAn tDeAnnuigce An ceToeAt
jloi^ttiA]! " ITlÁCAiix nA Siof-cAbnAc " uince féin.
If Ó n-A béAlAió féin niAf\ foin "oo fUAipeAtriAiiA
An Ainm CAoin cneAfCA fo. "Oo joiLL fo 50
"oiAn pÁ "óeifeAt) a|\ riiÁCAif An lenib, Aguf bA
toil lei An TilACfAinAit "oo fCAoiLeAt) tiAite.
Aót, fóiniop, tAinig beAn CótfiuffAii An z\^eó
Aguf óóriiAijilig "oi gAn bAc te fif leinb béAl-
fCAoilce. T\\o\^ tiiifce An "ofoó-óóniAmte
CAbt\]\tA UAite A5 An tnnAoi 'nA ■o'eipig cnApÁn
nnltce Af a cLiteÁn. Cvnc fi a\\ An ■ocAlArii 1
'Dr|\i"ótíb cinnif Aguf fceoin. t)A cofriiAiL 50
HAiti fi Af bfUAó bÁif. T)'iA|Af An beAn boot
niAiteAttinAf, Aguf cuif fi niAf Atcuinge oftA
An ttlACf AniAit "DO tAbAifc óiiióe. " Corh Luac
1f ÓUimil IllACfAiriAll ÁfV lllÁtAlA Síof-óAbf AC léi
"o'ltntij An UAom ■oiAtnAif ■01.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 17
more loving there is not in Rome — who
said to me ' Go, tell thv mother that the
Mother of Perpetual Succour wishes her
picture to be set up for public v^eneration
in one of the churches of Rome.' " In
these recorded words the Blessed Virgin
calls herself by the glorious title of " the
Mother of Perpetual Succour." It is from
her own lips, therefore, we have this sweet
and consoling name. The child's mother
was at last deeply moved, and was ready to
let the Picture go. Unfortunately, a neigh-
bouring woman came along to tender ad-
vice— not to mind the visions of a prattling
child. The woman had scarcely given her
evil counsel when a terrible, swelling tumour
appeared upon her side. She fell upon the
ground in an agony of pain and terror.
Death seemed imminent. ^The unfortunate
woman cried for pardon, and besought that
the Picture might be brought to her. As
soon as the Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour touched her, the mysterious malady
disappeared.
i8 All niAig-oeAti síor-óaDuaó is éiiie
cóini$ueAn ah nixxcsAtiiAil i scitt S.A111
CiA ouijipe^T) 1 gcoinne coIa IllAtAf "Oe i
\,ÁtA^\\ 11 A 5cón'u\f\tAi"óe fo ? Atz t)i ce^fc le
|\éi"óceAó -póf .1. CM ACA ceAtl "oe oeAtlAib
uiLe tiA UóniA A y>A^X) An lÍlACfAriiAiL le CAin^fin
•01 ? "Oo lAt)Aii\ An ttlAig'oeAn "beAnningte A-píf
Leif An leAnlj beAj. " If miAn liom," a-|\ fi,
" mo Áirí\eAt) "oo tteit i-oii; Cill l1luine móiiie
Aguf Cill mo "OAlCA "óílif Coin .1. Coin llAotncA
lAtfAin. IllAfV feo If eAt) t)0 tOlj Áf IllAtAIjA
Síofi-óAbfAc fém A TiÁirfeAt!) nuA"ó Agiif lonAt)
A fAnCCOfXAO.
DaII nAonicA coiffeA^tA "oo u'eAt) é feo 50
•oeirhm. t)i SUje meAfiulAnA a\\ eA-OAn SléiDe
GAfcuilin i-Qif t)AifleACAin ttluife Tlloipe Aguf
bAifleACAin Coin tlAoitfi l-ACfAin, Ajuf a|\ An
Slije no An |\ó"o fo if eAt) Di CeAlt ÓAin tllAiciu.
Ajtif An GAglAif 1 n-A óije bí CleiceAó nAotncA .1.
An T)A-[\A pÁpA rA-[\ elf peA'OAi|\ llAomcA, 1 n-A
óórhni]i"óe Ann. te tinn nA 5én\leAnAtrinA x>o
cÁflA fÁ féim lléAj^ó A^uf "OioclAic "oo CÓ5
fé 'oinfteAó 1 n-A 05 1 "ocfeo 50 bféA'OA'ó
fit\éin CéAfCA x)kiffeAnn "Oé "oo éifceAcc Ann,
Aguf "DO cuif fé fÁ óoniAi)\ce ÓAin tTlAiciú é.
"Oo óóijMj CleireAó Á-piif ófCA 1 n-A tig, leif, ,
5CórhAi|\ nA n-oilicfeA6 50 ctiAmbAit) nA nAbfCAl
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 19
THE PICTURE PLACED IN ST. MATTHEW'S
CHURCH
In the presence of such prodigies who
could oppose the will of the Mother of
God ? But the question remained, to which
of the many churches in Rome should the
Picture be offered ? The Blessed Virgin
spoke again to the little child : "I desire
to have my home between my beloved
Church of St., Mary Major and that of my
dear adopted son, John " (St. John Lateran).
Thus Our Lady of Perpetual Succour her-
self chose her new home and the place of
her sanctuary.
This was, indeed, a holy, a consecrated
spot. Between the Basilicas of St. Mary
Major and St. John Lateran ran the Via
Merulana along the Esquiline Hill, and
upon this Via, or way, was the Church of
St. Matthew. In the early ages of the
Church, St. Cletus, the second Pope after
St. Peter, lived there. Under the perse-
cutions of Nero and Diocletian he erected
an oratory in his house and dedicated it to
St. Matthew, where the suffering faithful
might assemble for Holy Mass. St. Cletus
furnished a hospitium also in his house for
20 Áu iiiAig"ocAn síoR-óAt)RA6 is émo
Aguf cuifv fé puti\eAtin fAjAjvc oi" <5 cionn.
Có5a\"o ceALt i.v\i|\fin5 Átunni i n-iotiAX) An
■oúif\ci§e feo CLeicij iiAoniCA 'fAn CeAtiiAniAt)
Aoi]", Aguf "oein aii X)A\\a pA-|'CAl éfeo •d'aciiuat)-
CAin if "oo coifí\eAC'Aiti i mbliA"óAin a IIIO.
Uoii^GpeAt) Ati CeALl nuAt) fo "oo'ii tilAig-om
ttlui|\e If "oo 1ÍlAiciii TlAoriitA. 1 gcionn céAt)
bLiAt)An eile ■d'aciui A"óAt) aii óeAtt i-p An c-Á|\iif
ófCA A|\íf yÁ )\éim aii Ui\eAf Innoicenic pÁpA
Aguf Ati XrneAf Oiióii\eAf pÁpA. 'Sati CúignieAt)
Aoif X)éA^ CU11A An CeACfAtiiAt) SicfceAf pÁpA
CeAlL SAin tllAiciú fÁ cvqAAni 'Úi|\'o Á\5uircín.
If cum PfiAi^ CutnAinn Ajuifcín cÁinig An
GeAn pÁ'n Ain fo, Aguf caijaj fí -óó lllACfAniAil
Án lTlÁCAí\ Síof-CAt)fAó. 1 inbliA'óAin a 1499
■OO CÁ]AlA fO.
Cléif Ajinfcín i sCilt Sáni mAinvi cfomAT)Ap
■s]\ An Á1C "©'ulltriujAT) i gcótiiAif nA inACfAnilA
tniofbAilcije. \)a geAff 50 f Aib jac nit) ullAtri.
An feAccriiAt) LÁ piceAX) "oe nií tÍlÁfCA, 1499,
cfvuninig fluAigce "De'n pobul c|AÁibteAó 1 gCitt
SAin lllAiciú Aguf 1 n-A cimceAll 1 Slije l1leA|\u-
lAnA. iDeifeAX) niACf aitiaiL Áf lllAi5T)ine Síoi\-
óAb]^Aó 50 folAriiAncA ó'n eAgUMf Xj'fonn buAit)
gLófniAp •00 CAbAifc niAf onóin "oi f uL a gcinf pi-óe
^A 'oeifeA'ó í 'fAn ceAfnionn "oo ceApAt) 1 n-A
córiiAif. 13a b^eAj An conTóÁil í Cj\é f|AÁi"oib
nA líóriiA, ^luAifeAóc b\iAT)niAi\ ■00 UíogAin nA
m\!'ril-'J.lht':'l
iHK VIA MEKULANA IS THE STREET WITH THE AKKOVV
POINTING FROM ST. MARV MAJORS.
CHURCH OF ST. ALPHOXSUS, ROME.
THE SHRINE A.VD PICTURE OF OUR LADY OK PERPKTU.M.
SUCCOUR.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 23
the accommodation of pilgrims to the
Tombs of the Apostles, and placed a body
of priests over it. In the Fourth Century
this oratory of St. Cletus was replaced by a
fine and spacious church, which was re-
stored and solemnly consecrated by Paschal
II. in mo. This new church was dedicated
to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Matthew.
One hundred years later another restoration
of the church and hospitium took place
under Pope Innocent III. and Pope Honorius
III. In the Fifteenth Century the church of
St. Matthew was given by the Pope, Sixtus
IV., to the care of the Augustinian Order.
To the Prior of the Augustinian Community
the woman now came to offer the Picture
of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. This
was in the year 1499.
The Augustinian Fathers of St. Matthew's
set about the necessary preparations in the
church for the reception of the miraculous
Picture. Soon all was ready. On the 27th
of March, 1499, large numbers of devout
faithful gathered within and around the
church of St. Matthew in the Via Merulana.
The Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour was solemnly borne from the
church to be honoured with a glorious
24 An inAit;T)eAn sÍou-caIíuac is éiue
riGA^UMfe 1 n-A p|\iom-cACAi]\ péin. t)! tux
milce "OAoine 'f^n óoiiróÁit , Aguf iat) IÁ11
"oe gfAT) tiluife món-tiiÁCAii^ 'Oé, .Ajuf iat) mle
50 T)ío5|\AifeAó Ag molAT) tiA 1TlAi5T)iiie "oo
cAiing 1 11-A me^vfc triAi^ "óeiiiiin 5U|\ IllAtAip
Sion-CAtifiAc A t)i Hire. Hi inifce ■óúmn a fÁt)
50 fAlt» peACA1"ÓeAÓC AJVlf CAtUJAt) Ag Cllf A^l
rhó-pÁii "OÁ tToeACAit) AniAC A1^ IÁ fit) 1 gcoinne
Á|A 1TlAi5t)ine SÍoh-óaGhaó turn í tiotinlACAii 50
"OCÍ n-A TiÁiC|\e«.\t) niiAt) ; aóc "oo contiAic fi a
11-éA'OAin AgUf Í Ag gAGÁll tA1(\ h\\ÁÍ^MX), Agtif
conriACtAf "oi cotii mAit céA'otiA cjWi'oe Aguf
Aiiix)eife A^tif C1011 An mle "ouine aca. Aguf
ni leonipAit)e "oo plAiteAtnlAóc "OAoine eile í
T)o fAiAujA-o. If mo éileArh "oo t)i aici a-[\ Luóc
Ain"oeii'e 'nÁ A|\ Ivicr buA"óA, if T)o fiAf fi r\A
5fÁfCA If coniAomce eiLe oftA mle 50 ]\<m"d-
fCAtfiAil, nióf-nió|A A\\ r\A "OAoinil) bA tféigce
If bA rhó peACATóeAcc. Of I a miofbAilcit)e
tnófA 1 lÁtAif An pobuil An IÁ ut). Aon beAn
boóc AttiÁin 50 f Alb An pAfAilif A5 cuf mfce 1
"ocfeó 50 fAib A 5éA5 gAn cof gAn AnAm le
bliAt)AncAib "OO leigeAfAt) lÁitfeAC í le cuimtlc
"oe'n lIlACfAniAil nAorhcA. niAf feo if eA"ó "00
fÁini5 mumjin aca uile Af Áf tTlAij-oin Siof-
óaX)\^a(:.
■pÁ "oeifeA-o »0 ffoió An óóiti'óÁil Cill ÓAin
tTlAiciú, t)íceAf A5 5AbÁil molCA if bm"oeACAif
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 25
triumph before being definite!}' placed in
the chosen sanctuar}'. It was a grand pro-
cession through the streets of Rome, a
triumphal progress for the Queen of the
Church in her capital cit\^ Thousands of
people took part in the procession, all filled
with love of Mary, the great Mother of God ;
all enthusiastic in the praises of the Madonna
who had come to prove herself in their
midst a Mother of Perpetual Succour. Sin-
ful and sorrowful, we ma}^ be sure, were
many of those who went out that day to
meet Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and
accompany her to her new home, but she
saw the faces of all as she passed along, and
she saw their hearts and their miseries and
their love, too. She was not to be outdone
by the generosity of others. Seeking for
miseries rather than merits, she lavished
abundant graces and favours upon all,
especially the most sinful and abandoned.
Great and public miracles even marked that
day. One poor, afflicted woman who had
suffered from paralysis, and whose arm had
been stiff and dead for years, was immedi-
ately cured by the touch of the holy
Picture. Thus Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour gained the confidence of all.
2() All iiK\i$"oeAn siOR-CvVbUAc is ciue
lOnUMItl 1]" pATOpeAÓ of Á|\"0 "o'^NOtl gut, AgUf le
n-A linn fin cuij^eAt) An lÍlACfAtíuML nAoiiiCA i
n-A fCfin Annfoin of cionn n^ li Af 'O-Alcóf aó.
t)í A-p T"tlAi5X)eAn Síofi-CAlDfiAó fA 'oeifeAt) 'fAn
Áicfeilj ntiAit) x>o toij fi féin i-oi^ " a Cill
AnnfA llluife IHoife Ajuf Cill a 510IIA "oilif "
60111 llAoiiti. X)a jeAff 5Lif leACAt) clú nA
TIlACfAriilA nAotiiCA 50 fAT)A fÁnAó. InnifceAf
•oúinn 50 mbico fUiAijce píféAn A5 bfujAt)
ifceAC 1 5C1II ÓAin tTlAicni ó 5AÓ Á\^X) "oe'n
Róitn If Ó 5AÓ cuAit If bAile 'fAn úóriniffAnAcc,
Ajuf ■oein Á\y Yí\A^^x>eAn nAotncA ^AX> mle *oo
úeATinAóAt) it)if i^obAl if cléii\ if eAfbui^ if
pÁpA 1 "ocfeo guf ■óeiinmj fi guf Síoj^-óAbAif
■OÁ clAinn mle i.
IllAjA feo if eAt) leAncAf lofg 5AÓ cénne
cfé n-Af tug T)iA nA bpeAfc An lÍlACfAniAil
nAoriiCA 50 "oci An ÁiCfCAb a ce&pA'o "oi, mAf
A fAib lllÁtAif "Oé Cum A ceA]\monn gloffhAH
•00 cuf A\\ bun, Aguf oifeAT) fAn onópAC "o'f ajaiI
Ó n-A tuóc molCA, Aguf comAoin if cfócAife
X)o bfonnA"ó optA T)á bAffA fAn.
ctu ueAumoitiii nuAit) mtnne
CujAt) uffAim 'oo lilACfAriiAil ttliofbAilcit;
Á|A TTlAij-oine Siof\-CAbfA6 1 5C1II ÓAin niAinu
1 TTleAfutAnA 0 bliA"óAin a 1499 50 cimóeAll a
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 27
At last the procession reached St. Mat-
thew's, and there, amidst a grand outburst
of praises and thanksgi\ings, hymns and
prayers, the holy Picture was installed in
its shrine over the high altar. Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour was now at last in
her new home chosen by herself, between
her " own beloved Church of St. Mary
Major and that of her dear adopted son,"
St. John. Soon the fame of the holv Picture
spread far and wide. We are told that multi-
tudes of the faithful thronged St. Matthew's
from all quarters of Rome and from the
neighbouring districts and villages, and Our
Lad}' blessed them all, people, priests, bishops
and Popes, proving herself indeed to be
the Perpetual Succour of all her children.
Thus have been traced the successive
steps by which Divine Providence brought
the holy Picture to its destined home where
the Mother of God was to establish her
glorious sanctuary and receive so much
honour from her clients and in turn confer
so many favours and mercies upon them.
THE FAME OF MARY'S NEW SANXTUARY
The miraculous Picture of Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour was venerated in St.
28 All mAi5"oeAti síor-caDraó is éitie
1809, ^5Uf 1 gcAiceAtii tiA x>r\\} jcéAT) mbLiA'óAn
fAti ■00 •oeittinij Tniii|\e juja "oi -d'oiia cei"oeAl
CAoin cneAfCA ha Síof-óAt)|\Ac. UÁ a fiA'OTiAife
fO AJAinn Ó fCA|M11"Ótlt5 Agllf Ó CUAI-pifCit) riA
gcomAoui If iiA mio|\l!)At "oo úá^Ia A5 ah Scfin
péiti no "oe tDA^i^ eA'DAjAgAliAlA tia UlAij-oine |:Á'n
■DueToeAt foin.
If é fijAitine Ati fcéil guf bAin oifeAt) fAn
clú le C1II ÓAm lllAicnl teif Ati Aimfiji guj^ tuj
An 'OeAóttiA'ó téo pÁpA (1513-1521) CAf
n-Aif "01 An ceToeAt CAi|\'oineAtcA "00 t)i CAillce
AICI le céA'0CAi5 btiA'óAn. t)í An CAifoineAl
tleifvti Af nA CAi|\"oineAlAib t)o b'Aoifoe cÁil
1 gCllt OAin inAICIÚ, Agllf "OAl-CA "OÚC|AACCA(i
•o'Áf tllAigxtm Síof-CAlifAC "OO b'eAt) é. X)a
mriiAn leif a 11A15 "oo belt 1 5C1II. SAin IIIaiciu 1
■DC|\eó 50 mbeAt) fé A5 tnolA-ó a lÍlAijtiine
ceAnnfA 1 tÁCAi|\ a ■ociocfAt) 1 n-A "oiAit) Cfie'n
bfeAfclAoi -po "OO ceAp fé 1 ^cótfiAijt a ctiAnibA
péin : " 1 5C1IL ÓAin ITIaiciú 1 ITleA^AUlAnA .1.
1 gciLt A tei"Dit, pÁ f CÁC nA tllAij'oine'beAnnuijte
1'nÁtAi|\ TDé 50 bfuil A cÁit 50 póifleAtAn "oe
bA|\f\ glóij^e A mioiAbAt if eA"ó tjo cui|\ "PnoinnfiAf
tleit^ti .1. CAi-ptJineAt "oe GAglAif TlAorhtA ha
UóitiA, A UA15."* puAi|\ fé bÁf 1 mbliA'óAin
A 1708.
* Franciscus S.R.E. Cardinalis Nerlius
Beatissimae Virginis Deiparae
in hac S. Matthaei in Merulana tituli sui aede
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 29
Matthew's Church in Merulana from the
3'ear 1499 to about the year 1809, and
through these three centuries Mary fully
justified her sweet consoling title of Per-
petual Succour. This is amply attested by
historians and by various records of favours
and miracles obtained at the Shrine itself
or through the intercession of Our Lady
under that title.
The Church of St. Matthew became in
fact soon so famous that Pope Leo X.
(1513-1521) restored to it its Cardinalitial
title which it had lost for centuries. Amongst
the most eminent Cardinals of St. Matthew's
was the celebrated Cardinal Nerli, a devout
client of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
He desired that his sepulchre should be in
St. Matthew's and speak forth to all genera-
tions the praises of his beloved Madonna in
the following epitaph he composed for his
tomb : " In St. Matthew's in Merulana, the
Church of his title, under the shadow of the
most Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, widely
renowned by the glory of her miracles,
Francis Nerli, Cardinal of the Holy Roman
Church, has placed his sepulchre."* He
died in 1708.
MiRACULOKUM GLORIA LaTE FuLGENTIS
Sub Umbra. . . Sepulchrum Sibi. . . posuit.
30 Áti niAi$"oeAii s1ou-6At!)UA6 is éiiie
SíotóÁin if fUAittine^f a]\ ah fAojAlfo, -pomóf
if ÁtAX' 11' binn-fuAn i tiptif aii coí\At) if 'oiiAt
X)óit!) fo A cugAiin |:lo|\-ui\|\Aini 'o'ái\ mÁCAi|\
IjeAtnitiigce Síofv-óAt)|AAó. ti)í 510IIA ■oíLif eile
A5 1Tliiii\e, A^Uf tiAotfi 1 5A11 -piof "oo b'eA-ó é
5AII AriHAAf, 50 -pAlt) U|\-pA1tn tA\\ U|\|\Aini Ai^e
"Oo'n lilACfAtilAlt llAOrilCA. Tit 1\Alt) AÓC Cl'lplA
bliA'óAti foini bÁf CAi|\'oineil. Heinli ó CAiUe4"ó
é. If é bi Ann "OonnoA-u, bt^AtAijA ó éi|\inn "Oo
bí 1 5C1II SAin ITIAICIÚ. Ú115 fé A fAocAjA A|i f on
nA mAij-oine muijAe Ann 50 ceAnn X)Á pceAX)
btiA'óAn ; Ajtif, Aóc gAn ceAnnui-oe cnÁibteAC
Cf éACA -péin T)'Ái|\eAni, if "oo if "ouAl niAf teiTJeAl
An "OAlCA If "Ol'lCf AÓCAIje "OÁ f Alb A5 Áf lTlA15T)in
Síot\-óAb]\Aó, A nAoni "oiTif féin. pitlfeAm a]\
An X)\:eA\[ n Aoiii tA fo aja bAll.
A ti-AtDiiAiT) iwCz seATiCtns
Pa niAj^ óonnACAmAi|\ óeAnA "o'fÁg An Cai|v-
•oineAt léijeAncA Heifti ie u^óaóc lonAX) a
ftofv-fLiAin "OO belt fÁ fcAú nA ITlACfAifitA
HAoriitA A bi An C|\Ác fcin " 50 mó-(\ fÁ |\éitn "oe
X)A]\\\ 5lóij\e inio|AbAt."
"Oo fCj\ib OcAebio pAnfAbóil 1 mbliA-oAin
A 1600 : " 1f f Ait)bi\e CeAll ÓAin niAicn'i "oe
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 31
Peace and happiness in life, resignation,
joy and sweet repose in death are the reward
of those who have true devotion to* the
Blessed Mother of Perpetual Succour. There
was another great servant of Mary, truly a
hidden saint who seems to have had
quite an extraordinary devotion to the
Holy Picture. He passed away but a few
years before Cardinal Nerli. This was
Donogh, an Irish Friar at St. Matthew's,
who served Our Lady there for forty years
and, after the pious Cretan merchant himself,
merits the title of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour's most devoted client, her own dear
saint. We will return later to this holy man.
WHAT VARIOUS WRITERS SAY
The learned Cardinal Nerli, as we have
seen, willed that his last resting place
should be under the shadow of the dear
Holy Picture then " widely renowned b}^
the glory of miracles."
Ottavio Pancivoli wrote in 1600 :* " The
Church of St. Matthew was enriched with a
Picture of Our Lady, which by reason of the
* I tesori nascosti nelF alma citta di Roma. Roma.
1600.
32 An niAig-oeAti síor-óaIíraó is éiue
X)Á\\\\ tllACfAiiilA Á|A tllAig-oine tDeAiinuijte x)0
cuifVCAX) Aim : ni mi]^ce a liÁi|\eAtn i nieAj^c iia
iriACfAtfiAl niioi\tJAiLceAó mA\\ jeAlt a]\ ua
niiO|AlJAilcíG "oo jMiineAt) if riA gjVvVfCA "oo |:uA-[\tAf
Aim."
"OeijA glOtJAimA tupAj^'OO* 5UJ\ inACfAlilAlL Í
ACÁ 50 lioijA-oeAiAC tiiAji geAtt Afi iliioitliAitcil!)." ;
AgUf 1 tl-A "OlAlt) fAn If eAt) CUgAIT) CoiClj AJUf
iTlAipcmeiUi I iii|\te " aii lorfiÁig Ari-riiioí\t)AiL-
ceAó."
xXn cAcAip piAfA,§ fA5c\t\c "oe ObtACAiti Saiii
CAifteAil 0 liliLeAii CU1H fé fíof mÁ\\ yeo 1 inbliA-
"oAin A 1703 A|\ CiLl Saiii IIIAIC111 : " 'Sah
Ó1II fin ciigCAiA vi|\fVAitn "oo loriiÁig iíiioíaIjaIa no*
niAij'ome Of cionn nA li3.ti"OAlcó|\AC a cuja-ó ó
oiLeÁn CféACA 'fAn Oii\teAf . ... if acá AifMriice
Anoif A\\ loniÁijiD tnioft)AilreACA nA "RóriiA fó
Ainni niAij-oine CiLie SAin inAiciú."
UiinceAlL cofAc nA ■hOccniAt) Aoife "oéAg
cofntiigeAt) 'f^" Uóiiii a|\ gnÁf cfÁiDceAC .1.
ciipAf "OO CADAifc 5AC feAccniAin a\\ lílACf aiíiIaiD
niioi\DAilceACA fuimeAtniA nA IllAij-oine t)eAn-
ningce. "O'fonn CAt)|\ui5re leif nA "ocufAifcíO
fo tiigAt) fAjAfc cfÁibceAc léiJeAiicA "oe
CumAnn íofA *oa|\aO Ainn An cAcaijv CAjtoici
* Mirabilia Urbis RoniEe. Romae, 1618.
f Ritratto di Roma Moderna. Roma, 163S.
I Roma ex ethnica sacra. Romae, 1653.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 33
miracles there wrought and the graces
received, merits to be regarded amongst the
miraculous ones."
Giovanni Lupardo* tells us that the
Picture is one " illustrious for miracles "
and after him Tottij and Martinelli:|: call
the Picture " the very miraculous Image."
In the year 1703 Father Piazza, § a priest
of the Oblates of St. Charles of Milan, wrote
of St. Matthew's : " In that church they
venerate the miraculous Image of the
Madonna placed over the High Altar which
was brought from the island of Crete in
the East. . . and has come to be numbered
amongst the miraculous Images of Rome
under the name of the Madonna of St.
Matthew's."
About the beginning of the Eighteenth
Century the pious practice was introduced
in Rome of visiting each week some one of
the miraculous and remarkable Pictures of
the Blessed Virgin. As a help in connection
with these holy pilgrimages a pious and
learned Jesuit, Father Carocci, used to
preach on Our Lady every Saturday in the
§ Gerarchia Cardinalizia. Roma, 1703. Dedicated
to Pope Clement XL {1700-1721).
4
■peAnmóiri \}a\'ó ^aC SAtA]\-n i gCilt íofA, /igu-p
If eAt) t)ío"ó niAi\ A"ót)Af CAinrire Aije fCAif
1ottiÁi$e eigin "oe'ti TÍlAig'oin "DeAninnjte 50
nibío"ó oiLicfig ÓU111 cxii^Af T)o tAt)Ai|\c ui|\ce lÁ
éigiii ÁijAite "oe'ii cfeAócríiAiTi 1 n-A "oiato fin.
T)o óf AoGfCAOit fé tiA feAiinióiTici"óe 1 Ijfuifm
" Ufeóftii"De Oilicfij."* t)AiiieAmi aii CÚ15-
nieA"í) cóiiifÁ"ó ficeAt) *oíot) fo te niACfAiiiAil
móf-óAile Á]\ TllAi5"onie Síon-óAlif aó, Agtif "oo
tug All cACAIf CAfOICI UAIti é Atl 3IlÍ1At) lÁ
"oe lugiiAfA 1715- SeATimoin An-ÁUiinii if
eAt) í ince féiti ; rÁ fí lÁti *oe "outf aóc Aguf if
léif iiAice 50 f Alt) An-tif f Aim A5 aii feAtimoifToe
féin "Oo'tI til ACf Alii All. UÁ fÍ fA'OA fAlffltlg
f óf , Ajiif cÁ All f céAl ince 1 ii-iomflÁn "oo féif
niAf fojluitn fé ó feAn-fCfílJtiil!) é if triAf cÁ fé
Annfo.l molAnn An cAtAif CAfoici 50 móf
"OO fifeAIIAlt) CUfAf "OO CAl^AlfC Af An fCfÍTI
1 jCilt ÓAin HIaiciu A^uf All C/diffeAiin t)'éif-
ceAóc Ann Ajuf pAi-ofeAoA "oo fÁt) 1 iÁtAifi
nA inACfAinlA nocccA óum Sío|i-óAt)Ain TtlACAji
"Dé "o'f AgÁit t,e n-A \^é Aguf 1 t^tAifi a mb^if .
* II pellegrino guidato, etc.
t "Oeiji All c AcAip CAfoici 50 ^xAit) ws-OAitÁf feAH-
fC]iíbeAnn if leAÍAjt Ai5e le fCAi^i tia IllACfAnilA
TlAoriirA, Ajuf luA-ÓAiiti fé fcníliinn le J^iobAnni
tDefichen "oo cIó-óIjiiaiIcax) 'yAr\ Tíóitti 1 rnbliA-ÓAiri a
1502 rjlí bllAX)nA CA]1 élf céA'OCU|1CA fUAf da niAC-
fATTllA 1 gClll SAin niAlCIVI
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 35
Church of the Gesu, taking as the subject of
his discourse the history of some Image of the
Blessed Virs^n to be visited by the pilgrims
on some appointed day the following week.
These discourses he published afterwards as
a "Pilgrim's Guide."* The twenty-fifth
discourse is on the famous Picture of Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour, and was preached
by Father Carocci, August 31, 1715. It is
in itself a very beautiful discourse full of
fervour, showing the preacher's own devo-
tion to the Picture. It is, besides, long and
exhaustive, and gives the whole story as he
learned it from ancient records, and as is
told in these pages. f Father Carocci most
earnestly recommends the faithful to make
the pilgrimage to the shrine in St. Matthew's
to hear Mass at it, and pray before the
Picture in order to secure the Per-
petual Succour of God's Mother in life
and at the hour of their death. He who
has no need of perpetual succour, he told
• II pellegrino guidato, etc. (4 vols. Rome, 1729).
t Fr. Carocci tells us he had the authority of ancient
documents and books for the history of the Holy
Picture, and mentions a work of Giovanni Besichen
printed in Rome in 1502, three years after the Picture
was first set up in St. Matthew's.
36 ÁK mAi5"oeATi síou-óADn.Aó is éiRe
An cé nAt pviil gÁliAt) ^xige le iMo]\-caDai|\ le
n-A fAojAt no ZA^ éi]" t)áif, a\\ feifeAn te n-A
luCc éifceAóCA, ní gAftAi!) "óó "out A]\ a lofg !
1m' CAoit) fA "óe, A-pfA An i^eAnniói|\it)e qMiOteAó,
bt'of Ann óeAnA, Aguf pillfeAt) ótnn a -pÁt) te
n-Áf tllAij-oin Sioi\-óAt)|AAó Agvif mé ct^omtA Af
An 5C|\é 1 n-A lÁCAi|\ : A 1Í"!,.\cai|\ Uó-nAotíitA,
" Siiccurre cadenti, surgere qui curat, populo ! "
CaI!)|\iii5 let)' nnunnci-p acá a\^ tÁ\\ Ajuf a úngAf
pÁ ei^Aje ! CAttfuig linn "oe fiof i ngAó inle
5Át)A"ó "OÁ nit)ei]\eAnn ojiAnin a^u]" móf-fhó|\ 'f An
■OeAjAO-gÁtDAt) A|\ UA1|\ Á]\ mbÁif .
An cómicionól oilit|\eAó "oo ttí Ag An ttlAc-
fAiriAiL An c-pÁc út) t)í fé An-líontfiA-p A|\ ■pA'o,
Ó1|\ "00 JAb An cAtAlf CAfOICI A ÓÓnijÁljt'DeACAf
leif An bpobnt i gCilt íofA An Sacahii i n-A
t)iA"ó fAn.
llío|\ tiiifce AintnneACA eiLe "oo óu|\ le Ainm-
neAóAit) nA n-ugiDAi; if nA feAnniói|M'óte "oo
ttioi óf ÁfT) -D'Aon gut 5lói|\ " nA lilorhÁije
Síof-triioi\l")Aitci5e " — " effigies semper miracu-
losa."
tDAinpiTi b|\í5 Annfo te flioóc Af " Sc|túT)u-
gat) " "00 -pnineAt) a\\ Cilt if aja Ciooa^a SAin
TTlAiciú mí "oeiiMt) An pogtiiAif, 1629, " tA^A
AonAi^A ACÁ 'fAn Cill. CÚ15 cinn "oe Alcóipít)
Ann, Ajuf ceAnn aca .1. An Á^;\x>-Al^ó^\\ pÁ'n
fcuAt) oijicin -pÁ cojAiiim Á|\ tllAij-oine CaDjuvo
'^ ,. St. Alphoiisas Róad, Úublin. " .< ^^^
" She rejoices when she succours and consoles the miserable.'
— St. Alphonsus.
SHRINK Ol OUk LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR,
ST. JOSEPH'S DUNDALK
II
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 39
his hearers, in Hfe or in death need not go
to implore it ! iVs for me, said the devout
preacher, I have been there already and will
return to say to Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour as I lie prostrate on the earth before
her : Most holy Mother, " Succurre cadenti,
surgere qui curat, populo ! " Succour thy
fallen people who try to rise ! Succour us
perpetualty in all our needs and above all in
the greater need of the hour of our death.
The concourse of pilgrims on that occasion
to the Picture in St. Matthew's was ex-
ceedingly large, for on the following Satur-
day Father Carocci congratulated the con-
gregation in the Gesii.
To these writers and preachers might be
added the names of others who with one
voice proclaimed the glory of " the ever
miraculous Image " — " efíigies semper mira-
culosa."
It will be of interest to quote here from a
" Visitation " of St. Matthew's Church and
Convent in October, 1629. " The Church
has a single nave. There are five altars,
one of which — namely, the High Altar in
the Apse — is under the invocation of Our
Lady of Succour (S. Maria Succursus),
around whose image hang many votive
40 An mAigT)eAii síon-óAbuAó is énie
^guf niónÁii Cxit3A)ACAf tnói'oe a\\ cpoó<\t) cimóeAll
A 'hiorriiije Ann. X)o -péif An DéAloi"oif, if ó'n
Oii\teA|\ "oo cÁinig loniÁig nAoriitA nA 1TlAi5T)ine
"beAnnmjce. . . . Af caoiD An cSoifcéit cÁ
"óÁ Alrói]A ; cÁ ceAnn aca pÁ óoniAi|^ce TÍlAiciú
tlAoríiCA A5UI' An ceAnn eile pÁ coniAijice "póit.
-A|A CAoil!) nA h6ipifcile cÁ Aicóip pA óomAifce
lOACtiim nAOfíiCA Agvif AnnA nAonitA Ajuf An
Alcóip eile -pÁ comAi|\ce llioclAi-p nAomcA
Colencmo." 'SAn " ciiAHc\]"5AViÁit " 6éA"onA CÁ
CAgAipc "oo ClocA|\ A t)í ccAngAilce teif An
5C1II mA\\ A HAit) -peómnA cot)lACA A^uf fé cinn
■oe GocAiO 1 5cómAi|\ nA n"OAlcA '^An CuniAnn
UlAgAlCA.
t)í Aon peA|\ AriiÁin A|\ a iAiJeAt) "oe A^uf
fúlA fAinnc Aige a^ nA CAtjAftAifcili) inoToe 1
Scfín Á|\ mAig-onie Sío|\-óAt)|\Ac. lligce fAinnc
AgUf •piAgAlCAIfl'Oe 1 gCfUA'ÓCAn, A lÁttlA 1U1T> If
jnÁCAc A5 cfeACA'ó ceA|\moinn. CeÁ|\X)uit)e
"oo t)í A5 mAifuijA'ó nA cilte 1 jcóriiAif riiói|V-
■freile cinn bliA-oiiA Áj^ tnAigTiine Síon-óAbfAó,
eifeAn, pói|Mon ! "oo teA^ tÁriiA AifóiUe An caca
fo Af nA feó"OAit) tuActfiAf A 1 Sc|\ín Áf ItlAig-oine
"beAnnuijce. Uaja éif "oó cuit) tdc nA feo-OAit)
lUACttlA|\A Ó\\K If Alfglt) "OO 5OIT), 5lUA1)^ An feAí\
iní-Á"óriiAf Aó fÁ "oéin a tije féin 50 meAf.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 4I
offerings. The sacred image of the Blessed
Virgin came, tradition says, from the East.
. . . On the Gospel side are two altars,
one under the invocation of St. Matthew,
and the other under that of St.- Paul. On
the Epistle side one altar is dedicated to
St. Joachim and St. Anne, and the other
to St. Nicholas of Tolentino." In the same
" Relatio " we find it noted that in the
Convent attached to the Church were a
dormitory and six monastic cells for the
members of the Religious Community.
AN ATTEMPT TO ROB THE SHRINE
The covetous eyes of at least one man
were set upon the votive offerings at the
Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
It is usually the hands of greedy kings or
needy governments that rob the sanctuary.
This time, alas ! it was a tradesman engaged
in decorating the church for the celebration
of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour's great
annual Feast, that laid sacrilegious hands
on the rich treasures at Our Lady's shrine.
Having pilfered some of the more precious
gold and silver ornaments the unfortunate
man hurried off towards his own home.
42 An nvAig-ocAii sioR-óAttriAó is éme
Ajuf CAinAtl, flij;e cu]\ca A^x,e "oe motuij fé
5U|A feolAt) tA\\ n-A^\^' é A]\ cumA éigin 5|\eAnnniA-p
50 Cilt Saiti niAiciú. tug fé iAiA|\A(ir pÁ ti-A C15
■pélll "DO "ÓéAIIAtfl AtTlAÓ Aflif AgUf Afítf eile, AÓC
1 n-AiTToeoin -a "óá "óiceAlL •óein cotriAóc eigin
•OlAtilAlp é "OO feÓLAT) t&\\ n-A1|^ Aí^íf 5AÓ C^AAt
50 "oci An 6A5iAif A bí C|\eAócA Ai]c;e. pÁ
"oeii^eAt) tÁini5 fceón if CACugAt) ai|\, (íuai"ó
An •ouine boóc ifceAó Apíf 'fÁn CilL, tu^ fé nA
feó'OA tA\\ n-Aif "d'aji tllAig-om SíO|1-óa6iiaó, Aguf
t)í X)e oACti^At) Cjioit)e A^\\ ^u^a innif fé X)0
Cléifv Clit^T) A5ui]^cín 5;un Soit) fé ó'n lÍlACf AiliAit
l^eAnnuijce cvnt) "oe nA ■peó'OAiD bA riió Iuaó
ince, Aóc 50 mb éigin t)ó iax» "oo caúai^c tA\\
n-Aif -oe t)A|i|\ mio|\t)AtA. Uuja-ó u|\|\Aini rhóji
•00 fcfiin Áp ttlAij'oine tDeAnnuijte "oe úa|A|\ An
lon^nA-ó fo, Ajuf cu^At) móf\-niolA'ó if móiAujAt)
"oo'n ttiAiteAttinAf if "oo'n U|\ócAHie ftíonn A5
ÁjA niAlj-Om SíOll-ÓAbflAC "OO peACAÓAlO bOÓCA.
An vijAtAAun a cu^caja X)o lIlACf aitiaiL nAOtritA
xi|\ fnAij-oine Síoia-óaG|\aó 50 nuije feo : a
comAifice peAj^cA !
ATI triACSAriiAil pA óoiriAmce
t)RAitTieAC Ó éiRinn
IDaja A'out)|\A'ó, cuijAeA-i) CeAtl ÓAin TTIaiciú"
Agiif niACfAriiAiL ifiiofvttAitceAó Á\^ UlAij-oine
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 43
After proceeding some distance he found
himself in some strange way suddenly taken
back to St. Matthew's Church. Again and
again he tried to reach his own house, but
in spite of all his efforts some mysterious
power brought him back each time to the
Church he had robbed. At last, struck with
fear and sorrow, the poor fellow re-entered
the Church, and restored the jewels to Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour, and in the
fervour of his repentance related to the
Augustinian Fathers how he had robbed the
Holy Picture of some of its most precious
treasures, but had been miraculously forced
to restore them. The shrine of Our Lady
was greatly reverenced on account of this
wonder, and the goodness and mercy of
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour towards
poor sinners greatly praised and magnified !
Thus far as regards devotion to the holy
Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour,
and now as regards its guardianship.
IRISH FRIARS GUARDIANS OF THE HOLY
PICTURE
The guardianship of St. Matthew's Church
and its miraculous Picture of Our Lady
44 ÁR inAi$T)eAn slou-óAttUAÓ is éme
"be^nTunjce mA\\ tú\\Am Af óléit\ 'Úi|\'o Asuifcín
'f^n Uóirh 1 mbliA'óxMn á 1499. A5 jAttÁit ó'n
nibtiA-oAin fin /^niAfi 50 ceAnn céAX) if Cfví
pióeA-o bLiA-óAn CA^Ani 50 bLiA"óAin a 1658
AgUf AjA riTÓ 1 fCA1|\ tÍlACfAttltA Á]\ ITlAlj-Qine
SÍ0]A-ÓAt)|\A6 AZÁ A5 bO|Aí\A-Ó le bjAlg "OO $Ae"óeAt-
Aib. 'SAn Gl,iA"óAiti feo, 1658, ■óein An SeAóc-
rfiAt) AtAfOAji pÁpA An óeAlt .Asuf a ITIac-
fAifiAil ■pó-luAótfiA-p mA|\ Aon leif An gCloóAf
■oo bAin le Cilt ÓAin TTIaiciú -oo bponnAt) a|\
óléip Úipt) Aguifcín ó éipinn, a "oibt^eAt) ó n-A
■ocAtArh "oútóAif Le "Dlijtib 5aí\5A piAnAttilA.
ITlAjA feo if eA-ó fÁini5 ITlACf aitiaiL jteoi'óce Á\\
ITlAij-oine Síop-óAbtAAó "oo beit niA|\ óújiAm Ap
TiA bjA^itfib boóCA "oeó^vA-óCA Aji fÁn ó éi|\inn •
CÁ cion A5 clAinn nA bGA^tAife 1 ngAó z^]\ A|\
An lllACf AitiAil fin in"oiu ; Ajuf, ó ! nAó uifxte
CÁ An cion A^Ainn uile 1 n-Á]A nCijMnn AnnfA
•péin ! 'SAn leAbAf tdo Lua'óa'ó óeAnA "oeijA An
cOblAC ó lÍlileAn .1. An c-AtAif^ piAf a : " Hí bA
•óiA-ónAije 1 nibliA"óAin a 1658 tu^ An SeAócniAt)
AtAfOAf CeALt AgUf CtOÓA|\ ÓAin lllAICIÚ "OO
Cléi|i IJifXT) Aguifcin ó éipinn .1. Uióc CAifCit
ó'n UíogAóc foin "oe "oeAfCAib 5éií\LeAnAtfinA
"Déine nA n-eifnceAó ó ÓACfAnA.*
An póipéigeAn Ajuf An cfieAóAt) "oemeA-o
pÁ ]fíeif nA bpúi|\iceÁnAó Ajuf pÁ CfvomAitt
* Gerarchia Cardinalizia, Roma, 1703 (p. 525, sqqj.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 45
was, as we have said, entrusted in the year
1499 to the Augustinian Fathers of Rome.
Passing irom that year over a period of
nearly 160 years, we come to 1658, and to an
event in the history of the Picture of Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour truly palpitating
with interest for Irish readers. In this year,
1658, Pope Alexander VII. bestowed the
church and its priceless Picture, as well as
the Convent attached to St. Matthew's, on
the Irish Augustinian Fathers who were
driven from their native land by ruthless
Penal Laws. Thus the poor, exiled, home-
less Irish friars became the guardians of the
beloved Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour, so dear to the children of the
Church in every land to-day — and, oh ! how
dear to all in our own dear Ireland ! Father
Piazza, the Oblate of Milan, in the work
already quoted, writes : — " Later on in 1658
the Church and Convent (of St. Matthew)
were given by Alexander VII. to the Irish
Augustinian Fathers, wanderers from that
Kingdom through the fierce persecutions of
the English heretics."*
The persecutions and confiscations of the
Puritan ParHament and the infamous
Cromwell cast out those poor Irish Friars,
46 All iiiAi5"ocAti s1ok-óaDraó is erne
nMtluijce •óíDfie^'OAiv iia bjiAit-pe boóc^ -po ó
6ijUTiii, Ajuf lJio"OAl\ Aij\ pÁn A|\ puiT) An "oorhAin ;
ACC CII5 ATI l\Ó1t11 "OiOtl X)ÓllJ AgUf ÓUIp Á|\
IllAig-oeAn Sioi\-cAt)HAC ceAT) niíLe P'^i^^G
lAótnpA 1 n-A tÁtAi|V fteAntunjce péin. Illíle
Agtif niíLe biiTóeAóAf le X)\a if leif ah tIIaij'oih
"DeAiiTuiigte 1l1ui|\e A tilAtAip if Á|\ ITlÁCAif
Sio|\cAbfAc-riA, t)í ATI lÁ le ceAcc póf 'tiiiai|v
beAt) "oeifeA-o te géitMeATin'iAin if le luóc géip
leAtiATtiriA Ajuf 'óéAiifAt) éife biiAt)niA|\ beAti-
tlACUAC A 5éA5A If A CfO'-Qe "DO OfC^llC Ap
leACAT) Aj; cuf céAT» mile f ^Mlce f ouii Á|\ inAij-oni
SiOf-CAbf AÓ.
SUÁIT) 11-A neTReAnil 'SAtI SAO$Al ÚT)
Re bfóTiAó "OÁ j\ífib 1 f CAi-f Áf 'orífe "oo b'eAti
ATI fé 50 bftiileAin A5 CAgAi-pc "oi 'nuAifi bi
b|\Áitfe Ó CitMnn a\\ a ngluiiAib citnceAll HIac-
fAfhlA Áf IllAij-oine beATiTiuijce 'f^" Róirh A5
gtiToe Af fon éifeAtin. An bliA-oAin acá luAi"óce
AjAinn ■otfeAc .1. 1658, cfAobfCAoileA-ó leAbAf
riAÓ f U|AAf A f A$Áll Anoif leif ATI ACAIf peA'OAí^
CAtboc A bi ni bA 'óiA'onAige mA|v Áfo-eAfboj 1
mbAile ÁtA CliAC .1. 1669-1680. l.tiA-óA'ó An
teAt)Af fo leif An ^CAifoineAl pÁ-ofAig Ua
ITIófvÁin, 50 X)Cti5Ai"ó tDiA nA bpiAiteAf fonAf
f íotMiii!)e nA AnAni ! Aguf inA|\ A"oeif An CAif"DineAl
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 47
wanderers on the face of the earth, but
Rome gave them a shelter, and Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour truly accorded them a
céad mile jáilie at her own blessed feet.
A thousand and a thousand thanks to God
and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother
and Our Mother of Perpetual Succour !
The day was yet to come when, persecution
having ceased and the persecutors no more,
a victorious and grateful Ireland would open
its arms and its heart in a céad mile jdilte
to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
THE STATE OF IRELAND AT THAT TIME
The period of which we speak when
those Irish friars knelt round Our Lady's
Picture in Rome praying for Ireland, was
indeed a woeful period in the history of
our country. A rare work, entitled " The
Politician's Cathechism," published in the
very 3'ear we have mentioned, 1658, b}'
Father Peter Talbot, afterwards Archbishop
of Dublin (1669-1680), and quoted by
Cardinal Moran in one of his books, gives,
as the Cardinal himself says, " precious
details regarding the barbarous deeds of
48 Áu in<M5-oeAn síou-óaDuaó is éiue
íTéiTi AZÁ " Á\]\eAm A■^^n j;u|\ mó]^ if piú é a]\ ha
beAjACAit) b<\|\b^i\'óA bofibA "oo |\inneA"ó te taij-
"oiuiiAít) tiA bpúi]MceÁiiAc " ^n <Mni]'eA|\ iit).
teAjcAj^ 1 5CAibit)iL A X. : " bío'ó a piA-otiAife
A\y A fiubAlcAib cimceAlt "DaiIc ÁtA CLiAt tnA|\
A jAAib 11A t)Aoine eile "oe fiol OACfAHAo Ajuf
5A11 Aon ceAn^A "OÁ iAbAinc aca aóc ceAnjA
Á|\fA ÓACfAti. Iliof frÁjA'ó 1 n-A mbeACAiT) aóc
•píofi-beAgÁn "OAoine 1 bpine 5^^^ ^'•''-^l^ -^ 1^^1^
"OAoine 50 liotitriA|\ Z]\Át : CAitleAt) iax) uiLe "oe
^A'^\\ ceine no clATOttii niAj; 50 ■pAbA'OA|\ uite
triACAncA 5AT1 óÁirn Aguf 5A11 éinnix) ^^''^'ogaIao
A5 bAinc leó aóc cfei"oeAtri tia jCAicliceAó.
Aguf AjMTi riA bpfocAfcúnAó A5 glUAifeAóc 50
Me CiLle lllAncÁin niAjvbiiijeA'o peAiA if
L- If pÁifce |\ómpA ; beAn iiAfAt "oo tii aj
CÓftTlAÓ X)0 CfOOAt) Í A5 fCUAlt) "OpOlClT), AgUf
An CAicliceAC boóc "oo bi Ag cfeó|\A"ó An Aiftn,
'o'óH'OUlgeA'Ó X>Ó, niAf ■OioJAlL A|\ a fAOtA|A,
fei-oeAT) ifceAó 1 bpiofCAt, Aguf leif -pin "oo
lAriiACAX) C|\é n-A béAL é, cé nÁ|\ mAfbuijeAt)
oifeA't) If pfocAfcúnAC 'f'*'^^'' "oúcaij fni. te
tinn jLuAifCACCA eite 'f'^'*" Conx)Ae óéA"onA "óein
ceAnnpofC Aifin x>á\\aX) Ainm tTlAcAongufA
■ouine UAfAt AOfCA "oe itivnnncip ComÁin "oo
tofCAt) Ajuf é 1 n-A beACAit) cé nÁ fAib A\\m
tÁniAócA A|\ lotncuf fiAni Aige : feAt), Aguf -oo
ttiAfbtiijeA-oAix 5AÓ A\\ cÁinig ci\eAfnA o]\tA ó
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 49
cruelt}' perpetrated by the Puritan soldiery "
in those days. In Chap. X. we read : —
" Witness their marches about DubHn where
the inhabitants were all of Enghsh ex-
traction, and spoke no other language, but
the ancient Saxon. There were very few
of that once populous country called Fingal
left alive — all perished by fire and sword,
being a most innocent people, and having
nothing Irish-like in them but the Catholic
religion. In the march of the Protestant
army to the County of Wicklow, man, woman
and child were killed ; a gentlewoman, who
was with child, was hanged at the arch of a
bridge, and the poor Catholic that gui'' -^
the army, for reward of his service at partif^
being commanded to blow into a pistol, wa^
shot therewith into the mouth, though
there had been no murder committed on
Protestants in that country. In another
march into the same shire, one Master
Comain, an aged gentleman, who never bore
arms, was roasted alive by one Major Gines
(Guinness) : yea, they murdered all that
came in their wa}^ from within two miles of
Dublin." And again further on we read :
" Seven or eight hundred women and
children, ploughmen and labourers, were
5
50 ^Ti mAi$T)OAti síOR-óAt)RAó IS éiue
t)ío"OA|i 1 njeAjApAoc "úÁ liiíle flise "oe t)Aile ^tA
C\AAt. A^uy léigeAtn a\(\x tiíof \-\a AtnAó : ""Ooj^t)
Agu]" mA|\t)tii5eA"ó -pexióc tio occ gcéAt) b^n \\-
le^nt) if peAfi céAócx\ if peAf oib|\e i gcAiteAtfi Iaq
1 "OCAtAtri ATI "RiOg .1. lAt "OÁ |\Alt) 1 T15eAt\1^AÓC
fCAóc mile flige "oe tDAile ÁtA CIiaú, áic nÁ
'OeApnA'Ó pl^OCAfCÚriAlg t)0 tflAfttAt) tlÁ "OO
ófeAóAt) ATin. pé uAifi a gluAifeAt) An c-A^m
imtijeAt) •OAoine boócA riA cuaca pÁ'n AiceAnn
niA|\ A iToemeAt) CAoifij ha bp-pocArcútiAó
1AT) 'o'ionrifui'óe if aii c-AireAnn "oo 6tif\ c^^e
teine : lAt) fo "oo tei6 if "oo tÁinig f Aof ó'n
lilt) fin riiAift) An r-Aftn 5At)ÁtA lAt). piA"óAó a
cugAiTDíf Aif feo .1. cteAfui'oeAóc le f ml "OAoine
If 5An cion Af bit i n-A leit. tDiot) An f oijAeigeAn
AllCA binle feo Af fuibAl "oe gnÁc ní AinÁin i
n-Aice t)Aile Áca CUac aCc i njAó ÁfX) "oe'n
fíOJAÓC ITlAf A -pAlb nA PfOCAfCOnAlj AgUf If
lOnTOA ftlAgfA'D AgUf CUAfAfgAbÁll "OÁf CfAOb-
fCAoileAt) 1 "ocofAC nA tnbuA'óAfC n"oiA"ónAó 50
bfuiliT) le léigeArii Aim."
TDunA ntjeAf nA Aifiii Of otriAill if nA bpúificeÁ-
nAó " tnnÁ if leAnbAi-oe, luce céAccA if luóc
oibfe " 'OO f CAoileAt) f AOf ni mifce beic "oeirhin
nÁf f cAoileAt)Af f AOf nA SA^Aifc nA nA "bfÁitfe.
CuifeAnn /AifCoeocAn UuAmA .1. An "Ooócúif
Se^n tlA 'Loingf 15 f iof mAf feo A-p An fé óéA"onA :
" V\a "OAoine boóCA, "óein nA fiA-oui-ote aIIca fo
..
OUR I ADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 51
burned and murdered in a day in the
King's Land (a tract within seven miles of
Dubhn), where neither murder nor pillage
had been committed on the Protestants.
Whensoever the army went abroad, the
poor country people did betake themselves
to the furze, where the Protestant ofíicers
did besiege them and set the furze on fire ;
such as shunned and escaped that element
were killed by the besieging army, and this
they termed a himting, sporting themselves
with the blood of innocents. These bar-
barous and savage cruelties were ordinary,
not only near Dublin, but in all other parts
of the kingdom wherever the Protestants
were, and may be read in divers remon-
strances and relations published in the
beginning of the late troubles."
If the Puritan and Cromwellian armies
did not spare " the women and children,
the ploughmen and labourers," we may feel
sure they did not spare the Priests and
Friars. Of the same period the Archdeacon
of Tuarri, Dr. John Lynch, writes :* " The
poor victims were shot down like birds by
* Cambrensis Eversus, vol. III. p. 97. See " Perse-
cutions of the Irish Catholics." By Card. Moran,
pp. 33 sqq.
52 Ar niAi$T)eAti s1on-óAt3iiAó is óme
lAX) "DO lÁrhAóA'O A]\ nóf ha n-éAn. t)'é Ati
■pocAt •pAii\e t)i A5 An uiLe At-fluAg VÁ gcuifd'oe
AtiAll Ó OACfAit) : ScfMof AmAt ha g^^^oiL ^x>^^
p\\ém If cfAoit) ; AtriAil if *oÁ nT)éAffAi"oíf :
bAimmif iiÁifuiTi riA ti^Ae'óeAl, "oe tAlAiii iia
mbeó A|\ -pAT) Agiif iii biot) Aon óuimne peAfCA
A|\ A tiAintn." " tllAf foin a bi An fcéAl i
nCiumn le linn CfomAill/' Af\fA 11. U. bAiceifi-
fbij,* " nió|A-mó|\ 1 gConnAóCAib, Áic 50 ntjeAfnA
An cíofÁnAó -puiLceAo foin cAfCAi^t nÁifiúncA t)i
1 gcóttiAip CAicliceAó nA RíogAóCA. As An
nT)im tnói^ b'éigin "oo b|\Áici\ib CéAfCA ■Úi|\t)
Agtiifcin ceiCeAt) le n-A n-AnAm pÁ "óíoncAib
AiceAncA 1 gcuAfAib nA 5cnoc if -pÁ fléibcib
■piA'óAine nA cífe ; no, niAf A-oubAiiic pól
TlAoriitA, bí A "ocAifceAl A|\ fÁfAóAib A]A flóibcib
A|\ fUACAIflb If A]\ UAlrillb CAtrílAn. AgUf,"
A]\ feifeAn fóf, " niof tÁinij c|\íoó a bpiAn le
béAg CfoniAill A fotÁii\eA'ó 1 tÁCAif óúi|\ce
An "Ófeicirii Sío|\iii'óe An c|M'otriA'ó lÁ X)e iní
■péite mióíl 1 nibliAt)Ain a 1658." X)] An "oofCAt)
folA If An cfeAóAt) céAT)nA A]\ fiiibAl fÁ'n
"OA-pA SéAjAtuf, f A "LiAni Of t)A fÁ'n mt)Ainfío5Ain
X\nnA, Agtif 50 minic, mime ó fom AiiiAf . Aóc
cóniAoncAf nAó nnfce fpéif "oo ónf Ann é feo
.1. An bU'óAin 50 fAib nA 'oeófAi'óte cfÁTóce Af
A nglúnAib A5 5iii"óe Af fon éifeAnn cimceAll,
* The Angustinians in Ireland. Dublin, 1856 (p. 239)
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 53
those savage sportsmen. The watchword
amongst all the reinforcements sent over
from England was — Extirpate the Irish root
and branch ; as if they would say : ' Let us
cut off the Irish nation from the land of the
living, and let its name be remembered no
more.' " " Such," says W. T. Batersby,*
" was the condition of Ireland in the days
of Cromwell, especially of Connacht, which
was converted by that sanguinary tyrant
into a national prison for the Catholics of
the kingdom. At Dunmore the persecuted
brethren of the Order of St. Augustine had
to fly for safety to those asylums that
Nature had formed, to the caverns of the
mountains and wild morasses of the country ;
or, to use the words of St. Paul, they wan-
dered in deserts, in mountains, in dens, and
in caves of the earth. Their sufferings," he
adds, " did not terminate with the death
of Cromwell, who, on the 3rd of September,
1658, was summoned before ihe tribunal of
the Eternal Judge." The same scenes of
blood and rapine were enacted under Charles
II. and William of Orange and Queen Anne,
and often in even later times ; but we may
take it as at least a noteworthy coincidence
that the same year, 1658, in which the
54 -An iiiAi$"oeAr> síon,-óAt)RAó is éiiie
AT» bliA'óAin óéAt)nA .1. 1658, T)o jlACo^t) á\\
Cpom^ilL óutn ciinc^Mf if trA^Ai-o éi|\e if S^fAti^
fAOi\ ó'n oillpéifc puilnj fin.
xMnmneACA tiA rroeOnAi'Oe so as
scnin ititiine
TiA X)\^Á^t\^e yéAnmA\\A fo 1 gcéin 50 fAit)
cofAó ACA A\\ Á\\ jciiie iiite A5 caD<m)\c ufji^ime
If SjtÁt)^ "00 tilACfAtiixMl Á|\ ITI^MjXJine Siof-
6AX)i[^At X)Á mbeAX> eólAf te fAjÁit 1 n-^ "ocAoiti
If •oeitinn 50 gciiijAfi'oe fpéif Ar\n. Ace AtiiAin
'OonnóA'ó oift1iit)nexió A\y leicLig teip ofiAinn
Ainm éintie eile "oe riA t)|\ÁicfeAóAit) "oo t)i 1
jCilt ÓAin TTIaiciú ó 1658 50 1739 "o'^inifiugA-f).
Atz if eót ■oúinn 50 Ijf uiliT) 1 njlóif nA t)f lAiceAf
1 t)foóAifi *0é, 50 t)f U1I1T) ciAuintiijce cimoe^lt a
XY\ÁtA\^ r\AomtA Anoif, ^guf ÁtAf o|\ca A-^uf
feilb ACA A]\ Áiq\eil) neAtti-oA AtriAil if rriAf
t)iOT)Af4 CfUITinijte fA"OÓ CltnÓeAU a tTlACfAtfllA
AgUf lAT) A|\ fAn Atl CfAOgAlt Ag flleAt) X)eÓ]\
Aguf feA|\t>Af TiA "oeo^Ai'oeAoCA A5 goitleAriiAinc
ofCA. 'Oeinit) fóf mA|A "oo |MiineA"OAf ah cfÁc
ti"o .1. oftiAi-oeAoA if pAi"DfeAóA "©'feAfAt) 50
f ui-OeAo Af f OT1 HA tieifeAtiii 1 "ocfeo 50 rroeAnf a"ó
t)A1T1|AÍ05An TIA t)piAlteAf fOljACln If COfAltIC
0|\Ainn uile.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 55
hunted exiles knelt round the Picture of
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Rome,
praN^ng for Ireland, Cromwell was called to
his account, and Ireland and England rid
of that bloodthirsty tyrant.
THE NAMES OF THOSE EXILES AT MARY S
SHRINE
It would, indeed, be interesting to know
something of those exiled, but happy
Friars, who were the first of our race to
venerate and love the Picture of Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour. With the bare ex-
ception of the venerable Donogh we have
failed to discover the names of any of the
Friars who were at St. Matthew's from 1658
to 1739. But we know they are in the
glory of heaven with God, gathered round
their holy Mother now in joy and the posses-
sion of a heavenly home as of old they were
gathered round her Picture, wanderers on
the face of the earth in tears and the bitter-
ness of exile. As they poured out their
sighs and prayers for Eire then, so do they
still, that the Queen of Heaven may succour
and save all.
56 An iTiAig'oeAn sloR-óAtiuAó IS éino
scA-RATo r\A bnÁitne ó emnin le cill
Cx3klLleAt) All CÍOjAÁIIAC Cl\OmAllL An ÚlKAt)Ani
téAX>r\A út) 1658 ; 1 ^cionn "óÁ IJluA'óAn eile
tÁinig " -An cAicceAtinAf ," •Aguf cui|\eAÍ'ó ah
». T)AfA SéAfUif 1 gco-póin 1 SAc-pAiti.
Tilt) r\Á\^ b'iongriA'ó t)í -púit A5 muitinnfv iia
■h^ifeAnn 50 "onocAt) peAtDAf A-p a fAojAt 1
mbllA'OAItl A 1660 O CÁfllA Scíot)A|\t) iriA-p -pij
A-pif . t)í "oóCAf Ag iDfÁit-tMli) Óil-te SAin tTlAiciú
óotri mAit leó, Agii-p "OA Dfíg fin fCAfiATDAjA le
n-A gcilt if le n-A gcloóA-p 'f^" flóitri, Ajuf
'o'f'iiteA'OAf A|\ éitMnn 1 tnt)tiA"óAin a 1661 mAi\
A fiAitt iniAiniiieAf A5 bAinc Afíf le cúnfAí')
ct\ei"oim 11A cíne "oo -péif An AtA\\. piAf a. Cítnít)
ó fCAif nA ■hé1t^eAnn gufi 5eA|i]\ "oo iiiaiia An
■oóóAf if guf 'DféAgAó é An ■puAinhneAf mÁ
cÁinig An -ptiAiirineA-p 1 n-Aon óot^ 50 "orí n-Áf\
•DCÍ|\ bOÓC ÓéAfCA,
X)^ An lÍlACfAniAil nAoriiCA t:Á cúfiAtn nA
nit)|vÁCAiA ó 6i|Mnn ÚÁ|\lA beÁ|\nA 1 n-A gcuHAtn
Árh ó 1661 50 1739, Aóc níof lAn-beAfinA é
niA|\ fAoilpit)e 1 "orofAo, óija if 50 ceAnn "OA
pióeAT) t)liA"óAn -oe'n fé feo "oo bí cottinuToe Af
'ÓonnóA'ó oift)it)neAó 1 gCitt ÓAin fHAiciú. TtlAip
An •oume 'oia'óa fo 50 bliA"óAin a 1700, a^u^ aii
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 57
THE IRISH FRIARS LEAVE ST. MATTHEW'S
The tyrant Cromwell died in that same
year, 1658, and two 3'ears later came the
" Restoration," and Charles II. ascended
the throne of England. With the restora-
tion of the Stuart King, in 1660, the Irish
people naturally hoped for better days.
The Friars of St. Matthew's shared these
hopes, and so they gave up their church and
convent in Rome and returned to Ireland
in 1661, where, according to Father Piazza,
the religious affairs of the country had
returned to greater calm. Irish history
teUs us how shortlived those hopes were,
and how deceptive the calm, if, indeed, calm
ever came, to our distracted and persecuted
country.
This break from 1661 to 1739 (when
an Irish Community was once more at
St. Matthew's) in the guardianship of
the Holy Picture by Irish Friars was
not so complete as would at first sight
appear, for it was during, forty years
of this very period that the venerable
Donogh lived at St. Matthew's. Surviving
till the year 1700 this holy man kept the
bond of union between Ireland and the
58 An niAi$T)eAn slon-óAbRAó is éme
bAinc "oo X)\ x3k5 éi|\inn leif ^n lilACfAriiAil fin
If 1)6^5 nÁjA óo1n1e.^"o fé flÁn é ó 1658 50 1739,
An ZAr\ •o'pill A óine Afíf óum Ar\ fc\\u^ *oo
óofAinc.
•oonnCAt) Aoti-riAorii ár TTiAi^X)ine
If "oo'n -ouine nAOtiitA fo "OonnoA-o CÁ An
gtóif A5 "out coifc 5ii|\ X)'é An céAt) T)uine "oe
ótAnnAiG pA-DfAig 50 -pAitJ u|\f>Aini Aige "oo
ttlACf AtflAlt Á^ inA15"Oine SíOf-CAC)|lAC, AgUf
tofntiij An tiff Aim feo An céAt) lÁ leA^ fé cof
1 gCilL ÓAin TTIaiciú rÁ l>|\eif if "ÓÁ céA"o 50
leit bliA-óAn Ann Anoif .
UugAt) mo 'ÓonncA'ó 1 néifvinn cimóeALt a
1620. An uAijv eifMg fé ftiAf AimfeAf GojAin
RuAit) t)t fé A5 cfoiT) A\\ A flige féin A-p
fon cfiei'Dim if cífe. "O'eifij fé Af An Afin, A^uf
gAt) fé le OfT) x\5tiifcín ; aóc nío|\ l^'f a'oa 50
mb'éigin "oó ceióeAt) ó jéifieAnrhAin ttuite
CfomAiU. "Óí fé 1 n-A •óeó-pAi'óe jAn fUAitiineAf
5An ÁiC|\eAt» 5U]\ f|\oió fé An Róiifi 1 t)foóAi]\
"OAlcAi-oe eile -oe'n Óft). "bíonn fÁilce if
<\icfeAt) AnnfúT) foim 5AÓ "ouine xiÁ ttf iilAingeAf
Af fon Cfiíofc, Ajuf bíomi fíotcÁin if f Aoii\fe
A5 'Diiine Ann 1 gcóriiAin ffeAfCAil X)é. '^Á'n Am
fo 1658, if eA'ó rugAt) "oo l3f ÁiqMt) nA íiéifeAnn
cLoÓAji if ceAll SAin 1T1aiciú 1 ITleAiMilAnA
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 59
Picture almost unbroken irom 1658 to 1739,
when his countr\'men returned once more
to guard the shrine.
DONOGH, OUR LADY OF PERFETUAL SUCCOUR'S
OWN SAINT
To this saintly man, Donogh, belongs the
glorious privilege of being the first amongst
the children of St. Patrick who have had
a special devotion to the Picture of Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour, and his devotion
to the Picture began the day he set foot in
St. Matthew's, now over 250 years ago !
Donogh was born in Ireland about the
year 1620, and when grown up fought in
the days of Owen Roe for the cause of
Faith and Fatherland. Forsaking a military
life, he entered the Augustinian Order,
but had soon to fly before the fury of
the Cromwellian persecution. A hunted
and homeless exile, with other members
of the Order he reached Rome, where
every sufferer for Christ's dear sake finds
a welcome and a home, and where God
can be served in peace and freedom. It
was at this time, 1658, that the Irish
Friars were given the convent and church
of St. Matthew in Merulana. " There in
6o A\i iiiAig-oeAti síOR-6At)nAó IS éiue
Atitifiit) 1 gCiLt S^Mti 1llAicn'i 50 cexitin -0«^
póeAT) bUA"ó^n " A|\f A An zAtA^\y tAincéiiA,
" "OO ÓAlt "OoiinÓA-Ó f AOgAt |\Ó-nAOiritA Agtlf
f.u5 fé "oeAg-fomplA jté uai"ó tda féip. Cfí tÁ
5AÓ feAécrfiAin, Aguf 5A6 tÁ le tinn ÓAfgAif ní
iDtAifeA* yé Aóc A]AÁn Aguf uifce, Ajnf pé ai^i
A t)ío"ó fAO|A Aije ó n-A jnÁc-óleAóCAt), niAp
Aon te móf Án iiió|\ Ainrpife 1 gcAiteAifi tia lioi"óóe,
OAlCeAt) fé A|A A glÚTIAlt) é Ag 5ui"óe 1 tÁÚAip
TTlACfAriilA inÁtAf "Oé."
t)A ttiAic "oo b'eót 50 fAit) fé píoi^-uiriAt if
50 -pAiO 5t^Á"ó Aige "oo'ii OoccAnie. éinnit) "OA
•ouujcAi'óe "óó ní coitneÁ'OA'ó fé, Agtif bA lÁn-
leó|\ leif All c-éAt)A(i bA ItijA if bA riieAfA aji
pAjÁil. If nntiic iA|\|\A"ó -pé inA|\ óeAt) Af ati
bPfiAf beAjÁn Aipjix» -00 óAiteArh a|\ óoinntiO
^X^ A-p blÁCAib 1 gcótiiAiiA triAi-pigte tia n-Atcó|VAó.
triAf "óeininiugA'ó 511^ 511ÁC leif geitteAt)
innifceAf "ofiitin 50 gcótfiAifilijeA'ó ati ctlA6cA|\Áti
"oó A •óótAin "o'ite A|\ nóf xiAoine eile An uAip
óío"ó fé cnÁi-óce é ó t|\ofCA"ó if o Cfxei-oeAriAf
UAifeAiicA. tÁiq\eAó bonrt Aguf ^An cuitri-
neArh a\\ a leACfcéAt "oo gAbÁil, "óemeAX) Ar
peA|\ riAotticA Ati bónt) "oo pogAt) Aguf córhAifle
ATI llACcAjAAin "OO 6uí\ 1 nsniotti, óip b'fA'OA ó
n-A óuirimeAtfi é 5111^ b'ionAtin beit jAn loCc
Agtif coil "0111116 péiii "oo leAiiriiAinc no beit
fCAllCCAO.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 6i
St. Matthew's," Father Lanteri tells us, " for
fort}' 3^ears Donogh showed the shining ex-
ample of a most holy life. Three days a
week, and ev^ery day in Lent, he fasted on
bread and water ; and whatever time was
free to him from his accustomed exercises
as well as many hours of the night, he spent
in prayer on his knees before the Picture of
the Mother of God." *
His spirit of obedience and his love of
poverty were well known. He retained
nothing of what might be given to him,
and was well content with the least and
the worst in the way of clothing. He would
often ask the Prior for permission to spend
some money on candles and flowers for
the decoration of the altars.
As a proof of his obedience it is related
that sometimes seeing him worn out with
fasting and abstinence, the Superior would
direct him to do like others and eat enough.
Immediately, and without attempting to
give a word of excuse, the saintly man would
* There can be no possibility of doubt that this
" Picture of the Mother of God " was the Picture of
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, any more than there
can be a doubt as to what image of Mary is referred
to when writers speak of Genassano, Lourdes, or the
present S. Alfonso, Rome.
62 AM nvAij-oevMi síoR-óAt:)nAó IS éme
Ajuf é CAicce cojAtA 1 nt)eii\eA'ó a fAogxMl
b'éijin T)ó Á\\. A lAijeAT) "oe cpúfCA aj\áiii "oo
oAiCeAtti 1 gcótriAif A. óéAt)p|\oinne. -Aóc Oí fé
Atnviig Ai|\ 50 mbogA'o fé ati cfufCA fo 'f''^"
f Áile. 'Oei|\eA"ó -pé if é Ag a óii-fv ótim a tjéil :
" milfeÁn é feo, oifeAnn "ooin' óAfvbAll." U-pÁc
"DÁf 1A|\f A-Ó Alj^ CAT» pÁ ITOeAfVA "ÓÓ OlfeAt) l^ATI
Aic|\i$e "DO ■óéAnAtti AtJiibAifC : " peACAó móf
if eAt) iné, 50 T)eittiin, óif fAoitim 50 jctoifim
póf itn' óluAfAib mei"ól.eAó riA 5cao|\aó Aguf
fCfvéAóAt) nA sceAfxc "oo 5oiT)eAf Aguf nié AtriAó
im' fAi5"oiuii[\ A5 "oeAtiAfh cfeAóCA,"
SeA-o, mÁ tó5 fé Leif mAoin a óórhuffAti,
oi^A If A|\ éigeAn if peTOiji " 501-0 " "oo jIao^oaC
AlfV, ÓUtn COtUJAt) "OO fOlÁCAlfC "oo'ii A-pm
"OÚCCAIf A t)í A5 CfOlt) TIA "OCfOt) Af fOTI Ó|\eiT)irh
if Uí|\e, ciocpAt) leif a -pAt) nÁ|A CÓ5 fé "OA toit
AtiAm ■oAonriAi'óe \^^Arr^. tlAif "OA^ piofjMiigeA'o
■oe Af tfiAifvt) fé éinne te tinn cogAi'ó, A"out)Aif c :
" X)A\^ liom nÁf gojActiijeAf "ouine jMArh, ói|\ "oo
óAicinri óf A gcionn 'f ^^ •^et^ Afv eAglA 50 ngo-pcó-
óAinn éinne." ílí iTióToe 50 *ocAicneAt) fo mAí\
otJAif te luóc cogAit), Aóc if 'oeirhiti guf rhio|\-
OAitceAc ATI fiTiAcc "oo t)í Ai]A péiti A^ Ati cé -oeineAX)
é if 50 fiAit) "oéipc píoji-lAoió Ai^e "oo nAinroit)
A t)í SAti pioc cf uAjA ACA ^réin "o'éiiine.
Cé 5up t)'-f:eA]A An-fimptToe é t)í fé Ati-
éi|MmeAriiAii. Aj;iif tiA ceAfCA bA óAfCA "o?
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 63
kiss the table and carry out the Superior's
orders, for he was far from thinking that
perfection consisted in the ways of self-will
or a stiff neck.
Worn out and decrepid in his old age, he
had to take at least a crust of bread for
breakfast, but he was known to have softened
this crust in salty water. Putting it to his
mouth he w^ould say : " This is chocolate
fit for my palate." Once, when asked why
he did so much penance, he made answer :
" I am indeed a great sinner, for in my ears
I seem still to hear the bleating of the sheep
and the crying of the hens I stole when out
foraging as a soldier.'
Well, if he took away his neighbour's
property, for it could hardly be called
" stealing " to take provisions for the
national army fighting the battles of Faith
and Fatherland, Donogh was able to say
that he believed he never knowingly took
away human life. Asked if he had slain
anyone in war, he answered : "I think I
never injured a person, for I used to fire in
the air over their heads lest I should hurt
anyone." This may not be very admirable
from a military standpoint, but it certainly
was a marvellous act of self-restraint and
04 ÁR niAig-oeAn síor-caDraó is erne
tnbAitieAt) le T)ia"óaóc caja-o leif a |\éit)ceAóc
5An fiAti "OA iron At), i •ocpeó 50 n-ouOAiiic
■oiA-oAHAe If feAnmónuit)e ttió|A-Clú .1. ah cAtAif
UoncAi, 1 n-A CAoiD LÁ : " tli putÁip no ■ooinceAt)
eólAf Ó neArh Af An ni'bfAcAi|\ "Don no a*, ói|\ nA
PfeAgAfvtA tug fé oiMn cuipit) longncXt) ónoi"óe
o\\m."
If cofriiAii 5Uf cujAt) An CAipngfCAoc, leif,
mA-p GuAi'ó "óó. UógAt) Á|\uf nuAt) 1 5C1II ÓAin
tTlAiciú, Ajuf Oí "oíon 1 n-eAfnAtti Aif fóf.
"OuúAipt: An feA|\ nAoniCA leif An bpfiAi^ nÁp
ú'fuLÁif An "oíon "oo \be\t aij\ An A-puf gAn riiotll
no 50 "ociocAt) cinle nnittce bÁifcije, if n<5,
f Al.tAi"óe Gí 5An óofAinc 50 fcfiof a-ó fé feAfCA
lAt). 'Aguf If é fífinne An fcéit j^^uf Ap éigeAn
bí ceAnn Af An Áfuf 50 ■ocÁimg ctncim riióf
bÁifcige Aguf leAn x>e A|a feAt) mí.
t)'é coit "Oé, leif , nAotfitAcc A 510LLA óf Áittúij
T)o leifiu^At) te inófÁn córhAftA eile. ÍÁ ■oÁ
|\Ait) "OonncAt) ó'n j^cloóAf A^uf gAn Aon "Oíon
Ai^e cÁinig C10C cfoni bÁifCige Aif 50 hobAnn.
t)í An óoifi"óeAóc 50 IA5 mAll Aige roifc a
belt AOf CA, Aguf b'éijin "oó lÁn-neAf c nA cLAgAif-
nije t)'futAin5 1 "ocfeó 5U|\ "ooig leAC 50 mbeAt)
An feAn"ouine fLiuó ó CAoib CAoib. Aóc if é
longnAt) An fcéil nÁ fiAib oifeAt) if fiAn fliCe
Af A bfAC. " ÓeAfui^eAf A5 An bfuinneoij; A5
feiteAtri leif," AffA An pfMf .1. An cAtAif
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 65
of heroic charity to foes who were them-
selves unpi tying.
Though a man of great simplicity, he was
endowed with remarkable intelligence, and
the most abstruse difficulties in theology he
unravelled with the greatest ease, so that a
most renowned theologian and preacher.
Father Tonti, said of him one day : " Fra
Donate must have an infused knowledge,
for the answers he has given me fill me with
wonder."
Prophecy, too, seems to have been given
to him. A new building had been erected
at St. Matthew's and was still unroofed.
The holy man told the Prior to order the
house to be roofed immediately, or else a
terrible downpour of rain would soon destroy
the unprotected wails. As a matter of fact,
the roofing was hardly finished when the
great downfall of rain came, and lasted for
a whole month.
By many other signs, too, did God wish
to make manifest the sanctity of His pious
servant. On a certain day a great shower
of rain suddenly came on while Donogh was
out of the convent and had no shelter.
His steps being feeble and slow by reason
of old age he had to suffer the full force of
6
66 An mAij-oeAti sIou-ó.aIjraó is éiue
Onfim, leif All yó<tA^\\ SeÁti t)Ai]xe Coca f rAjMjTóe.
" Agiif me A5 ■pA1|^e Aif i-p é aj "oéAnArii o-pni
50 tnAlt t)i rpuAj An "ooitiAin AgAtii "Do . An
uAif\ cÁini5 fé f A "oeifeAt), Aguf -púit a^ahi 50
mbeAt) fé bÁTóce 50 Cl^o1ceAnn, if tiom t)A
■pó-ionjnAt), CA-fv elf "ooni tátn "oo leAjAt) Aif,
5An oifeA-o if fiAn cAife, féin, a]^ a óuit)
eA-OAIj."
"OubAfCAf 5;iif rhot ouaja é féin lÁ x>o giollA
T)é. " bíot) "OO "OóóAf 1 n"OiA ! " AfifADonnóAt) ;
A^Uf féAÓ ! "o'eifig An C-OtAf Af A leAbAlt)
VáiCixeAó A5Uf é flÁn ! " t)í Ainm An fi|v
nAotfitA fo 1 n-Áifoe 50 fói|\leACAn "oe X)A]\]\ r\A
mbuA^o -00 bi Aije 50 plúiffeAó, A^uf bA triinic
PfMonfAi"óe nA KoriiA if GAfbuig if pféALÁix>e
If CAifT)ineit, féin, A5 ceAóc Af óuAifo onije :
ÚAjAi'oíf uile óiim lAT) féin "oo rhoLAt) "oo'n
t)fÁt;Aif tiAorhtA fo ó 6ifinn.
■pÁ ■óeifeAt), If é 50 1iAibi"ó if nA btiAt)An-
CAib Ajuf fnbÁilci'óe if bu a"óa 50 ftúiffeAó
Aige, "DO fCAf "OonnoAt) leif An fAojAl fo, óum
50 bfAgA'ó fé ó "ÓiA nA 5''óife cpé lÁtriAib a
tllÁCAf ■OÍlfe SíOf-ÓAbfAÓ rOfAt) a fAO^All
nAoríitA. CAiUeAt) 1 mbliA"óAin a 1700* é.
* Fr. Josephus Lanteri, O.S.A. — Postrema Saecula
sex Religionis Augustinianae in quibis breviter recen-
sentur illustriores viri Augustinenses, etc. — Romae,
i860, vol. III. p. 40 sqq, V. Donatus Hibernus.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 67
the pelting rain, so that naturally one would
expect to find the old man wet through and
through. But, wonderful to relate, there
was not even a trace of dampness on his
cloak ! "I stood at the window awaiting
him," said the Father Prior Orsini to
Father John Bapt. Cotta, the historian, " and
watching him coming slowly tow^ards me I
was filled with pity for him. When he at
length arrived and I thought I should find
him soaked with rain, what was my amaze-
ment when I touched him — to find that his
clothes were not even damp."
It was related that a sick person recom-
mended himself one day to the servant of
God. " Have confidence in God ! " said
Donogh, and behold, on the instant the
sick man rose up well from his bed ! So
widespread, indeed, was the fame of this
holy man's many virtues that he was often
visited by Roman Princes. Bishops a'nd
Prelates, and even Cardinals, all coming to
recommend themselves to this holy Irish
Friar.
At last, ripe in years and rich in virtues
and merits, Donogh departed this life to
receive from God and through the hands of
His beloved Mother of Perpetual Succour
68 An niAig'oeAii slon-óAV)nAó is énie
b'é An X)]\ÁtA^\ OnMiii-oneAó TDonnóAt) An téÁX>
■otiine A\\. Ái|\eAiri x>e ^oAlCAitt pA'CfAij ^y
t)pi5'oe 50 fAit) u|\i\Aitn pi Leic Aige t)o " TÍIac-
f AriiAiL itlÁtAf "Oe " 1 gCitt ÓAin IHaiciú.
"OAtCATóe "oilfe Áf TnAi$t)ine Síof-óAli|\Aó aj^
puiT) An "ooriiAin iiite, Agnf clAnnA 5^^''^^'<'*1-
nió|\-riióf, hvú óóif "ooit) a óu|\ mAf ACóuinje
A|\ "ÓiA 50 n'oéAnA'ó An GAjlAif llAon'iCA giotiA
"oílif yeo nA liCAjlAife t)o CAnonAt) Aju-p 50
nibjAonn^Ai'oe Aif onójAAóA nA riAtcópAó AiiiAit
" Aon-nAoiti Á|\ ITlAig-oine Síot\-óAt)f aó péin."
iDeAnnAóc "Oé A^uf A ltlÁCA|\ "ÓeAnnuigce A|t
nA "OAomiti) A óuijAeAf An obAi|\ feo niA-p cújiAm
o\\tA péin !
piVteAt) riA mbrtátAR ó éiniiin au
CotlÁisue HAe'óe-AlAó SAin niAicul
CAgAm Anoif 50 pilleATl) nA int)nÁCAH ó
éifinn 50 ColiÁifce SAin ItlAicni. 1 nibLiAt)Ain
A 1739 tug An pÁpA .1. Cleimeinc II., CiU ÓAin
íTIaiciú 1 llleAjiutAnA CAf n-Aif Aj^íf x)o ÓuwAnn
5Aet)eAlAó V^^\\x^ Ajuifcin, Aguf "óein fé cot-
iÁifce "oe'n olocAfi 1 gcoitiAiji mAC téiginn
n5<5>e'óeAlAó An ■Úi]\"o A|\ leitlij. An UfííotfiAt)
SéAmuf |\í "oo rhot "oó -po "oo "óéAnArh, Aguf t>í
Scfíttinn pÁ leic niAji ug-OAj^Af teif .1. " Aspera
Temporum. Conditio." t)'é SéAtnuf fo fí
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 69
the reward of his holy life. He died in the
year 1700.*
The Ven. Donogh was the first of the
Children of Patrick and Brigid who is
recorded to have had a special devotion to
" the Picture of the Mother of God " in
St. Matthew's. The devout clients of Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour all the world
over, and the Irish race particularly, should
fervently pray that 'this dear servant of
hers may be cajionized by the Holy Church
and raised to the honours of the Altar as
" Our Lady of Perpetual Succour's Own
Saint." God and His Blessed Mother bless
them who take the work in hand !
THE IRISH FRIARS RETURN TO ST. MATTHEW S :
IRISH COLLEGE THERE
We come now to the return of the Irish
Friars to St. Matthew's. In 1739, at the
instance of King James III., who was the
rightful King of England, but having in
the eyes of his countrymen the misfortune
* Fr. Josephus Lanteri, O.S.A. — Postrema Saecula
sex Religionis Augustinianae in quibus breviter recen-
sentur illustriores viri Augustinenses, etc. — Romae,
i860, vol. III. p. 40 sqq. V. Donatus Hibernus.
70 ATI tnAi$T)eAn síou-óaOraó is éme
"oteAgcAó ÓAf AíiA ; Aóc Dí "oe mí-Á'ó Aip i "ocuaii^-
iin nniinnniAe a cífe 50 \\a\^ fé 1 n-A CAicliceAó.
*0á lipíj fin cu5<j"ó " 6ili5ceoifv " mA|A leAf-
AintTl Alp A^Uf CUJAt) A ÓOfÓin AgUf A fiojAOC
"oo PnocAfctniAó ó'n nJeAfniÁin. "pÁ'n Atn
fom b'é An cAcaija SADiefv "ÓAiLleici 'o'Ó.S.A.
An p|MA|\ Agnf pÁ'n -pcfvíbinn "oo LuA^oAt) fuAf
"oo cogAt) An cAtAi|\ "Aguifcin "Ua íiUismn
X)'Ó.S.A. mAfi óon^Ancóiix "Oo.
"Oo néifi Sc|^ít)inne -peo Cleimeinc tjí cú|\f a An
téigmn 1 ^CoLlÁifce SAin niAiciú te beic Ap
■piuliAl 50 ccAnn oóc mbLiA'óAn .1. "ÓÁ t)LiAt)Ain
A5 jAliÁit "oo ■peAllf AriinAcc Aguf -pé bliA'ónA
Ag 5AGÁit t)o "ÓiA-óAóc. 1 5CAireAni nA ■oq\í
mbliA'óAn -oeiiMt) liíceAf Le beic ax, jAbÁiL "oo'n
ScfiopcOi|\ tlAotfiCA 50 ceAnn UAi^e cluij 5A6
LÁ 1 "ociAeo 50 mbeAt) CAbAipc -puAf oifveAriinAó
A\\ An 5cléi|A ó éifvinn 1 5córiiAi|A jjaó •oua'óa if
"DiofpoijieACcA "OÁ nibeAt) A5 peiteAin leó 1 n-A
•ocALAtti ■oútóAif. t)'éi5in "00 nA niACAib léijinn
An iCAbAjA "OO CAbAipc 50 b]:ilU"Díf a|\ Tllifeón nA
béi^eAnn óorh luAt if beAt) CjAioo A]A a ^cuit)
léijinn, Ajuf ní fAib "oe óoniAóc A5 éinne iat»
"oo fA0iAA*ó ó'n teAbAjA foin acc AriiÁin An pÁpA
péin. An X)A\\.a Iá "oe ttlAfCA 1739 acá mAp
•ÓÁCA A|\ An Sc|víbinn. X)e^\^ tTlo|\óin* linn
gujAAb é bi niA|A Ainm a\\ An ^céAT) P|nA|i ó
* " Dizionario," vol. xii., p. 183.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 71
of being a Catholic, was called a " Pretender,"
and his throne and kingdom given to a
German Protestant — at the instance of this
exiled monarch, Pope Clement XII., by a
special Brief, " Aspera Temporum Conditio,"
made over St. Matthew's church in Merulana
to the Irish Augustinians once more, and
constituted the convent a college for the
exclusive use of Irish students of the Order.
At that time Father Xavier Valletti, O.S.A.,
was Prior, and by the above mentioned
Brief, Father Augustine Higgins, O.S.A., of
the Irish Province, was appointed his assist-
ant.
According to the Brief of Clement XII.,
the curriculum of studies at St. Matthew's
College was to extend to eight years — two
of Philosophy, and six of Theology, during
the last three years of which there was to
be an hour's class ever}^ day in Sacred
Scripture, so as to specially equip the Irish
Missioners for the particular difficulties and
controversies of their native land. The
students were bound b}^ oath to return to
the Irish Missioti on the completion of their
studies, from which oath none, save the
Pope, could dispense. The Brief is dated
March 2, 1739. Moroni* tells us that the
72 Áu i'íiAi$'oec\ti síon-óAt:)riAó is éiiie
éi|\nin 1 inbliA"óAni a 1739 An zAtÁ\\< UomÁf
tDeifjMLL. tlí heót x>ómyA cáX) é An pAi"o a Gí
An cAcAij^ UomÁf triA-p p|MA-p 1 gCotlÁifce SAin
tTlAiciú : Acc pé f céAt é t)í f é tA\\ n-Ai]^ 1 néiiunn
•pÁ óeAnn "oeió mbUA'óAn no mA\\ fom, óif cÁ a
Ainm AH "óAtCAít) An CinnAinn 1 S[VÁi"o Gom 1
int^Aile ÁtA CUAt ó 1755 50 1775? ''^'S^V ^í fé
'n-A PiMAf 1 n'0-poiceA'o Áca 1 1766. "OA -péifi
fin tjí CeAlt SAin ÍIIaiciú if a tTlACfAriiAit tiliof-
IjAitceAó i:Á cú]iAni "oíLif nAtnlDfACAU ó éi]Ainn Ajiíf
Ajuf "o'-pAn AnilATo ótim ^uj^ •pcjMOfAt) ceAit
Ajuf coUÁifce le tuóc nAotriAicife, A^uf cogCA
ílApóilein Af fiubAt. CuifpeAf fíof 1 "oci^At a|\
rhilleAt) Cilte Á-p TTlAigTDme Síofv-óAbtAAú 'fAr\
Aimfi|\ buile t)UAi"oeAHtA fom.
1 gcAiteAni nA nT)eic mbtiA"óAn a\\ tfí pióit)
feo Agtif fA5Ai|\c if mic léiginn if mAicóLéinij
nA tienieAnn A5 córiintiTóe if Ag leijeArii i-p
''^E Sui'óe pÁ •óeA-pb-fcÁt nA Scpíne tnío]\bAit-
cije, bí ^jA TTlAig'oeAn Sío|\-CAb|\Aó A5 cahjiac
óúióe 5An fCAonA'ó cion if ii|ifAim nA mílce
oititjAeAó if "DAtcA "oilif. ITlAfAngóin "oo
■pc|AÍt) 1 1749 Aguf "ÓeAnúic "oo i^Cfit) 1 1776
■^S^r i^'S'OAif X)Á leicéiT), AT)ei|MT) "o'Aon juc
50 n'oeinci'óe obAii\ lon^AncAC póf "oe V)A\\\[
niACfAriiAtA Á^ fnAigt)ine "beAnnuijce .1. " An
loriiÁij fíon-niio|\li)AilceAc." Ctn-ppeAni te n-A
t)cv]Aifm fo ceifceAf feAn-bjAÁCA-p AnnfA 50
Í
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 73
name of the first Irish Prior in 1739 was
Father Thomas Berrill. We do not know
how long Father Berrill was Prior at St.
Matthew's, but, at all events, about ten years
later he was back in Ireland, for his name is
amongst the members of the community in
John Street, Dublin, from 1755 to 1775, and
in 1766 he was Prior in Drogheda. From
1739, then, the Irish Friars were once more
the faithful guardians of St. Matthew's
church and its precious miraculous Picture,
and so continued until the church and
college were swept away by sacrilegious
hands in the wars of Napoleon. The
destruction of the Church of Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour in those wild days of
revolution and ruin will be related in due
time.
In the course of those seventy years
before the destruction, during which the
Irish priests and students and novices lived
and worked and studied and prayed in the
very shadow of the miraculous Shrine, Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour continued still
to attract the love and devotion of thousands
of pious pilgrims and clients. Writers like
Marangoni who wrote in 1749, and Venuti,
in 1776, declare with one voice that the
74 -ÁR mAig'oeAri s1on-óAt)RA6 is éme
mbei-ó mó|AÁn le \\S-o i n-A tAoitt á\\ bAlt .1.
Astiifcín Of\feic. 1 gcionn ha mbViA-o^n t)í
fé x\5 CA5xM|\c "oo'n Cfe-An-Ainifi|i 1 gCollÁifce
SAin ITlAiciú Aguf A5 m/iócnAiri a\^ An Scpín
AgUf A|\ Ollltflt) AJtlf ftUAlgClt) "Oe "ÓAlCAÍlJ
C1(^Á^X)teAtA x>Á x>za-^ax> Ann, Ajuf A"ouf)Ai|\c
50 mtmc : " Á, feA-o ! t>í Áfo-ui^pAim Af» An
lÍlACf AtriAit fin pA-oo 1 5C1IL ÉAin niAioú,
Gío'ó péiLe foLlArhAnrA a\^ puftAt 5AÓ t)liA"óAin
mA|\ onói|\ "oi, Aguf t)í A MAinm 1 n-Áifoe "oe
l!)Aj\í\ tniofiJAl. Era miracolosa ! " If ■oeimm
^u\\ mó\\ if piú An ceifceAf yo ó GéAlAili An
CfeAn-tJHÁCAíA CllACA "OÁ piÓIT) bllAt)An CA|A éif
miLtce Citie SAin tTlAiciú.
"Oo -pcitiottfAimif te ÁtAy Ajuf te uaV)A\\ 1
liCfveAóAib ói|A AinmneAóA nA n-AiCfeAó if nA
niAC léiginn if nA mAicóléijAeAó "oo feAf 1
ntJiAi-o A|\ nxnAit) cimóeAlt Scfvíne Á]\ ITlAig-oine
SÍ0|\-6Ab|\AÓ fUlAJ píOf-UAfAt fíO|A-'Óíllf "06
ólAnnAib miteA"ócA nA 'pó'olA cfuinmjce cini-
éeAtt A|\ A tlíojAin neitrie A5 CAt)Ai|\c onojAAo
"oi, A5 CAinnc if A5 CAncAin -o'^onn a molCA,
A5 cofAinc A Serine if a iTlACfArhlA, A5 juTóe
óúice 1 iÁtAif fcuiT)éif fA"OA "oein Af fon
BAjiAife A^tif AnniAn, Ajur A5 cuitLeAfii
5-pÁ"óA if buToeAoAif If buAn-óuiitine ó Caic-
iiceAóAib ^ifeAnn tA]\ mAf cÁ fé nnLlce,
féin, A5 nA fluAijcib cfó"óA "oo fUAif cLú 50
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 75
Picture of Our Lady was still a wonder-
worker, the " always miraculous image."
To these we will add the testimony of a dear
old Lay-brother, Augustine Orsetti, of whom
much remains to be said later on, who in
after years, recalling the old days at St.
Matthew's and the memory of the Shrine
and the pilgrimages and the multitudes of
devout clients, often exclaimed : " Ah, yes !
that Picture was formerly in great venera-
tion in St. Matthew's, honoured every
year by a solemn feast, and illustrious
for miracles. Era miracolosa ! " This is
valuable testimony, indeed, from the
lips of the old Lay-brother forty years
after the destruction of St, Matthew's
Church.
Gladly and proudly would we inscribe in
letters of gold the names of those fathers
and students and novices who in turn stood
round the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour — a noble brigade truly, faithful to
the end, of Erin's soldier children round their
heavenly Queen, honouring her, preaching
and singing her praises, guarding her shrine
and Picture, praying to her in the midst of
long and laborious study for the Church and
for "souls, and earning the love and grateful
76 ÁR niAig'oeAMi síoii-óAt)nAC is éine
■oeó "oo gxMfce g'*''^''^^^^ ■^t^ "■^ céA"ocAitJ
mAóAij\e CA|\ teAfv.
An cAtAin pitib ti.A cuRRÁin is An
cAtAlR niltlAm tlA 'OtltDgAltt
■RtigAt) An cAtAi|\ piiit) tlA CuiAt\Áin i tnbtiA-
"óAin A 1747 1 bpAfóifce t3Aile ÓAin Tce 1
jCOTTDAe toóA gCAjXmAtl. CuijAeAT!) ifceAó 'f An
OfXT» é 1 11-A óige Aguf "oo glACAt) teif niAji
"óAtcA 1 gCitt ÓAin niAicni triAp A|V cogAt) é 1
n-A p^iAjA CAj^ éif ■oó 5fÁ"ó coifi^eACAn "00
gtACAi) AgUf CjAÍOÓ "OO ÓU|l A^l A ÓU1"0 pogtUtHA.
t)í fé mA|\ tlAócAfÁn Af aíi gCott^ifce 50
btlA'ÓAir) A 1798 AÓC AltlÁtn CAITlAtt SS'Al^t^ "O^t^
óAit -pé 1 n6i|Mnn, Aguf -oo ttAin ACtritiinn A^uf
*OÚt|\AÓC AgUf fAC -pó teit te n-A flAJAlt.
CuifA tiA "p^AnncAig "o'fiAóAit) Ai|A i'CAjirhAin teif
All "Róitti 1 "oc|\eó gufi -pitt -pé A|i éininn 1 1798
A^uf t)í bAinc Annf oin Aije te CumAnn Asuifcín
1 llof inic U|\eoin. UojAt) mAf PjAoibinfeAo
A|\ Pnoibitife TiA tiéijreAnn é 1 tiit)tiA"í)Ain a
1807. An bliA'óAin oeA-onA óuift fé CottÁifce
A]\ bun 1 "Rof niic Ufeoin 1 5CórhAi|\ nA mAic-
óléifCAó : "OAome ia"o fo 50 mb'éisin -ooib
eipje Af A gcuiT) téiginn Aguf -pitteAt) AbAile
ó'n "Róitri, ó'n SpÁinn if ó'n bpopCAineAt "oe
^Á\^\\ AtiMiigce 1Í1óip A^ii-f C05CA nA P|\Ainnce.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 77
remembrance of Catholic Ireland even more
than those heroic brigades who won immortal
f-^me for Irish valour on a hundred foreign
fields.
FATHER CRANE AND FATHER DOYLE
Father Philip Crane was born in the year
1747 in the parish of Ballynitty, in the
County of Wexford. He entered the Order
early, and was professed at St. Matthew's,
where, after his ordination and the com-
pletion of his studies, he was appointed
Prior. He continued to preside over the
college, with the exception of one short
interval that he was in Ireland, until 1798,
and his government was one of great ability,
zeal, and success. Compelled by the French
to leave Rome, he returned to Ireland in
1798, and was attached to the Augustinian
community at New Ross. He became Pro-
vincial of the Irish Province in 1807, and
that same year opened a college at New
Ross to receive the clerical students who,
on account of the French Revolution and
wars, were forced to interrupt their studies
abroad and return from Rome and Spain and
Portugal. Father Crane was the last
78 An mAij-oeAn slon-óAlinAó is éine
X)'é An ^cAtA^\\ pilib tlA Cuí\|iÁin An ctlAócAt^^n
bA t!)iA"óiiAi5e "OÁ \\A\V) 1 ^CollÁifce SAin
TTIaiciú 'fAti llóirii. 'Oo tiiúin ye -pein An
"OiA-oAoc 'fAn óoliAifce t)eA5 i 1\0f ITlic
U|\eoin ; Aguf tti SéAnnif Wa "OtiujAilt .1. An
J.K.L. oijA-oeAfc eAfbog Citle'OAHAif teitlinn'
50 ]^A^V) A Ainm 1 ■n-Á^]\x>e ni bA "oiA-onAije, A-p
nA mACAib léiginn bA rhó cÁil Aije Annfiit).
x^5U]■' An t)|\ÁCAif SéAmuf Ua "DubjAilt -pein
A5 poglumn 'OiA'óAóCA "oo rinnn ye bui-ócAn
toigice 'fAn Am óéA"onA, Aguf CAfX éi-p "oó
5|\Á'ó coiftieACAn "oo gtACAt) "oo bí fé A5
ceAgAf c nA "OiA-oAocA 50 ceAnn cúptA btiA-óAn
no 5U|\ cojAt) mA|v ottAtti é 1 gCoitÁifce
CeAtAjAtoc, 1813, tlí pA-OA xi^A^\y An CotlÁi]^ce
beA5 fo CAfv elf "oi a bolLAm móf-ótú •00
óAilteAriiAinc : níofi feAf fí aóc 50 bliA^oAin a
1816. t11ó-pttió|i, tAylA An CfíocóÁin tA-p leAfi
Afif, -Ajuf ni jiAib A bAC Ap nA mACAib léiginn
pifLeA"ó A|\ A jcotLÁifcíb 1 5céin.
Ru^At) An cx^tAin tlilliAm X\a TDubjAill 1
mbtiA-OAin A 1760, -^A^ yé te OftT) SAin Asuifcin,
A^uf bi fé A5 -pojtiiim 1 gCotiÁifce SAin
triAiciú pÁ'n -AcAijA pilib Ua Cu^tiiAin. "O'pitl,
ye A|i djiinn 1 mbtiA"óAin a '98 te coif An AtAij\
piLib, Aguf tug fé fAotAji 5An fCAonA-ó 50
ceAnn oeicpe mbtiAt)An if •oaóa'o a\\ yon
flÁnuijce AnmAnn, A5 ceAgAfc, A5 ppoióeApc
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 79
Superior of St. Matthew's College in Rome.
He taught Theology himself in his little
college in New Ross, and one of his brilliant
students was James Do\'le, afterwards the
illustrious J.K.L. — the Bishop of Kildare
and Leighlin. While Brother James Doyle
was himself studying Theology, he taught a
class of Logic, and after his Ordination,
lectured in Theology for a few years until
his appointment as Professor at Carlow
College in 1813. This little College did not
long survive the loss of its distinguished Pro-
fessor, and it ceased to exist in 1816. Be-
sides, peace was established abroad, and the
students were free to return to their
collegres.
Father William Doyle, born in the County
Wexford in 1760, entered the Order of St.
Augustine and studied at St. Matthew's
under the Very Rev. Philip Crane. He
returned to Ireland in '98 with Father
Crane, and for forty-four years laboured
incessantly for the salvation of souls, in-
structing, preaching, and hearing confessions.
While still at St. Matthew's he seems to
have had charge of the novices. He died
in 1842, after a Religious life of over fifty
years, which he first consecrated to God
8o An tnAi$T)eAn s1on-óAl')RAó is éiue
If ^5 éifceAóc pAoip'oeAii. CAilleAt) i tnbliA-
■óAiii A 1842 é CA|t elf "oó t)eit fÁ RiAgAil 50
cexitm leAt-téAX) bLiA-oAn if bj^eif, A^uf a
XiQAtA pÁ óomAifce "Oe : ótiijt fé fA óomAii\ce
T)é A|\ "ocíiif é f^ CAicneAtfi Á|\ ITlAij-oiiie
SÍ0|\-ÓAt)|1AÓ.
ntíASAinu riA mtinAtAn 0 éinnin is
tnitieAt) citle SAiri iriAiciti
"Oeiii Uióc bnofctiigte An Acptiigte ITIóifV
An Cum Ann gAetjeAlAc T)o bí i gCiit ÓAin
ITIaiciú "oo "óíbit^c 1 1798.
Cé nAó mói'oe 'nÁ gnji pitt beAgÁn "oe nA
bfÁitfil!) lAittteAó A|\ CiLl SAin tllAiciii, ní
inifce t)úinn a fvA-o gu^ tofnuij feAt fA'OA
fío|\-t)|iónA6 "oo itlACfArhAit <Sf ttlAig'oine
Sío-p-óAbf Aó te buAT!)Ai|ic buile if le niAtAifcm-
gA'ó nióf\ nA bAimfif.e fin, -pe 'n-A ntJeAfnAXi
•oeAfirhA-o giAn uijite nAó móf if t)o fCAf 50
ceAnn Cjií poeAt) btiA"óAn if b|\eif.
t)í 5|ieim A5 Afim nA nAtfiAT» Af\ 6AtAi|\ nA
bpÁpA ; bí An "Ri-p^SipA .1. pio VI. 1 n-A "oeof Ai'óe
Afi bpuAó bÁif, Agtif bí cornAócA An AútAinjce
ttlóií^ if All "oicc|\ei"oini 1 jceAnnAf , X)a óofttiAil
50 t^A1b An tTlAC niAttAóCAn féin A5 bAinc
foóAif Af buA'óAijAC Aguf otc nA TiAiinfife fin,
A^uf "DO tng fé fogA fÁ'n tii\|^Aini a tu^cAi-oe
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 8i
at the feet of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour.*
irish priests driven out and st.
Matthew's destroyed
The RepubHcan Revolutionaries scattered
the Irish community of St. Matthew's in
1798.
Though a few of the Friars may have
returned almost immediately to St. Mat-
thew's, still we may say with that period of
violent agitations and great changes began
for the Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour a long, sad era of eclipse, a period
of almost complete oblivion, lasting for more
than sixty years.
A hostile army held the Papal city ; the
Pope-King, Pius VL, was in exile, soon to
die, and the powers of revolution and
* Unfortunately we have not been able to discover
much about the Fathers and students who passed
through St. Matthew's at this period, not even the
names of many. John Corban, born 1740, was a
student in St. Matthew's in 1763, and, writing to
Father Vaughan in John Street, Dublin, says : — " All
our students and novices are well. All send their
salutations, as does Father Miles, and Father Kelly is
ready to answer any call that may be made upon him
either by Mr. Lawson or Mrs. Edgeworth." — W. J.
Battersby's " Augustinians in Ireland " {passim).
82 An mAig-oeAti s1oR-óAt)nAó is éme
"oo tÍlÁtAip t)eA^t^n^115te "Oé : 50 ceAnn CAtnAilL,
■[.•óiiMop ! •o'eijiig leif ceAnn "oe An fCfAínciD
vi|Af Aime bA 1110 "OÁ \\A^X) aici "oo rinlLeAt). Aóc,
DeA"ó "oeipeAt) póf teif ah oTóCe ipA-oA, Aguf
cioc]:a"ó lÁ Ajtif ei|A5eo6A"ó -pcfiín nnAt) 1 ii-onói|\
Áf tnAlj-Oine SiO|A-ÓAt)-HAÓ Af lUAIC^Ae T1A fCAtl-
fCjiine Agii-p fÁfóCAt) fé A]\ ÁilneAóc tíiAife
Ajuf u-pnAim A fVAit) "oe glóincit) Atin 1 n-AtlóX).
Ve CeAÓC T1A TIAOtilA-O Aoif e •OéAJ 1f 1 'OCOf aó
■pé pio VII. bí beAgÁn "oe'Ti fUAirinieAf 'ti'au
Tlóiiii A|\íf ; Aóc ní \\.&\X) Ann aóc An CAlm
|\oirii An fcoiniii niillce. 1 nibtiA-OAin a 1808
bí An ceAnn u|mAit) llliollAif 1 gccAnnAf Aifm
Ajuf "oo jAb fé An Tvóirii "oe bAjip óiitiuigte ó
llApóileAn ; Agnf níofv b'pAX)A 50 n"OubAfitAf
50 -pAib 1'c-piof 1 n"OÁn "oo Cilt ÓAin TIIaiciu 1
Slige lÍleA^utAnA. t)í Alcóif "Oé Aguf t^cpin
liluijie 'i^n cflije A]\ óAnnónAib if A|\ jléAf
lÁriiAócA TlApóilein Aguf níof b'-pulÁif iax> "oo
leA-^At) if "oo Cufv Af An CfUje ! xXjuf if
AiíilAi"D "DO finneAt) ! "Óein "Oia "UileóoniACcAó
if A tllÁtAi-p "oiAtiA jeilleAt) 50 ■huriiAi tio
AócAib nA "ociojiAnAo iniAjAAó fo -pÁ mA|\ JéiL-
LeA'DA-p i:a"oó "oo fAniAit ©aiaoix) if píolóit) if
pÁ mAf LeigeAnn Sé 1 iÁtAijA nA TiuAife, if A
óiAll péin xXije teif, 1 n-Áf bfiAt)ntiife uile
"OO ÓAOfAlb, -00 lllÓC C|\eAÓCA ceAtl, tuóc
"oíbeAfCA fAjAfc if luCc tneAtlCA fiúf 'f*"
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 83
impiety ruled supreme. Seeming to profit
by such troubled and evil times, Satan
aimed a blow at devotion to God's blessed
Mother, and for a time, alas ! succeeded in
destro\ing one of her most revered sanctu-
aries. But the long night would yet pass
by, and a day would come when to the name
of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour a new
shrine would rise out of the very ruins of
the old and surpass in magnificence of orna-
ment and worship all the ancient glories.
With the opening of the Nineteenth
Century, and the early days of Pius VII.,
there was again a little calm in Rome, but
it was only the calm before a devastating
storm. In 1808, General Miollis, at the
head of an army, took Rome by~ Napoleon's
orders, and ere long it was rumoured that
St. Matthew's Church in the Via Merulana
was doomed to destruction. God's altar
and Mary's shrine were in the wa}^ of
Napoleon's cannons and batteries, and
they must be levelled out of the way !
So it was done ! Almighty God and , His
divine Mother meekly bowed before the
decrees of those puny tyrants, as they did
of old before Herods and Pilates, and, as
even in our own days, we see God, for His
84 ^H mAig-oeAii síon óAt)UAó is éiRe
IjPliAinnc Aguf 'fAr\ po\\ZAméAt á flije -péin
•oo t>e^t aca if a n-éAóCxi iiAotiiAicife xio óteAó-
CÁ^■ó 50 ceAnn CAinxMlt g^n "oíogxitCAf. Acc,
bio-o 50 TToenice<\]\ ceAitA if f C|iínce if ctoóAi|v
T)0 ÓfieACA"Ó 1f 1AT) "OO teAgA-Ó Af IÁ1[\ AnnfOltl
110 lotiAiT) X)0 •óéAnAm T)iott 1 5CórhAi|\ -pmnce
rhAtUiigce ; bío"ó 50 TToeinceAji "OAtcAi-oe "Oe
"OO CAHjlAC Af A 5CtOÓA|\Alt) IIAOtfltA, "OO
lilAftAt) If "OO COjIUI'OeAOC A]A pUIT) TIA f^AAIT)-
eAiin te "OAOfCAjifUiAj if "oo óu|\ óurn bÁif,
fiú AtiiÁin ; 1 n-A "oiAt) -pAn if uite, mAtA
AT)UbAHAC tlAÓCA|\Án tnójA CAiclici'óe Sao]\-
■pcÁic Gacua-ooih .1. ^-^fciA TTlo|\eno, Ajuf
fciATi Ati cSAoifi fÁTóce C|\é n-A bixÁgAiT) ; " Hi
éAgAiiti "OiA coi"óce ! " peA-omAtinAc ÁifMce
5U|\ iriiAn teif An géinteATiiriAiTi, if A'otibAifC
óom LuAt if t)í Aintn iij-OAfÁf aó te 5AÓ fC|AíV)inn
■oÁ ]\A\X) |MAccAnAó : " SeA'ó, CÁ 5AÓ ni-ó
cjAioonuijce Anoif : ní't a cuiiteAt) te •oéAnAiti
AgAinne," if niAj^ feo cug An cAtAijA SAin
Cteiiiieinc ApbAe|\ f|\eA5fVA á\]\ : " 11í 'óox)'
fAfugAT) é ! " A|^ -peifeAn ; " aóc ní'l, 5A6 ni"í>
cpíocntiijte. Cá An "bfeiteArhnAf te ceAóc
VÓT-"
"Óein pio VII. pói|\tin Af CtimAnn ót^ÁTóce
tiA iiibjAACAU ó éifinn. Uug fé "óóib C15 if
Citt ÓAin ©ufAebiufA ; Aguf if Ann "oo ótiAit)
A-fV -pAn "oe CumAnn Cille SAin tTlAiciú An
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 85
own wise ends, allowing Freemasons, Church-
robbers, priest-hunters and nun-baiters in
France and Portugal to have their way, and
their deeds of sacrilege to go for a time un-
punished. Well, churches and shrines and
convents may be plundered, then levelled or
turned into immoral dancing saloons ; the
children of God dragged out of their sacred
enclosures, insulted and hunted in the streets
by the rabble, and even done to death, but
after all, as the^ great Catholic President of
the Republic of Ecuador, Garcia Moreno,
said, when the Freemason's matchet knife
pierced his breast : " God never dies ! "
It was thus St. Clement Hofbauer answered
a certain persecuting official, who said when
the required documents were signed : " All
is now finished. We have nothing more to
do." " Pardon me ! " answered Father
Hofbauer, " all is 7iot finished. There yet
remains the Judgment ! "
Pius VII. came to the relief of the harassed
community of Irish Friars and gave them
the house and Church of St. Eusebius, and
thither the remnant of St. Matthew's Com-
munity retired, when their old convent and
church were closed and doomed to destruc-
tion. But the Picture of Our Lady of
86 ÁR mAi$"oeAti síOR-6At)riAó is éme
CAn bA lé^]\ "oóit) 50 -pAiO iAt)A-ú if milleA-ó 1
troÁn X)Á 5cLoóA]A Á|\fA if T)Á 5C1II péin. ACc
ITlACf-AniAil Á|t TnAi5X)ine Síoíi-óAOfVAó 1 gCilt
ÓAin ITIaiciú, a\\ milleAt) í ? tlíop miLleAt) :
ctijAt) ytÁr\ 1 ! TTlíLe buit)eAóAf te X)^A if le
11A l1lÁCAi|A tíeAnnuigte ! Aguf \ax> f o "oo
CofAin if "oo CU5 flÁTi í 1 tÁtxM|\ DuAfóeAHtA
Aguf ó-peAócA Á|\ mile GeAtmAóc 0]\tA póf.
x^5U]^ Ati cé 50 upuiL Áft mtniTóeAóAf tnófv a^
"oul "oó, "OAfi linn jufAt) é An cAtAi|\ ■UilLiAm
Ua CéAX)CAi5 é, f AgAfc "OÁ-fv óui|A PiAoit)infeAó
nA ViéifeAnn An CfÁc út) "oíneAó 50 "ocí An
"Róirii ciun tteic 1 jceAnnAf Cille SAin HIaicui.
Híofi D'iréi'oifv teif An CeAll nÁ An CollÁifce
"oo óof Ainc ; aóc, n\A]\ A"oeif tDACAjAfbAij, " An
gnó "oo cuijieAt) triAfi oujAAtn aija "do óóiifiUon
fé 1 'iÁtA^\\ óoncAbAncA é 50 ]:ei"ótneAriiAiL."
Ili )nói"De guf t)'eól "oo'n ug-OA-p foin a ]\A^X)
"oe'n fípinne 1 n-A CeifceAf. SAríiAit Á]\
tllAig-oine Sío|\-óAt)|iA6, An yeox) bA rhó "OÁ -pAiV)
1 sCilt ÓAin ITlAiciú, cugAt) f lÁn í, Aguf ctiif eA"ó
1 "ocAifce í 1 gCLoóAjv SAin GAfAebiuf a rr\A]\ a|i
•pAn nA iDi^Áitpe ó éiiiinn ipeA'ú cfeiriife.
An riiACSAtliAit nAoiritA fÁ scÁt
tní An luit, 1809, teAjAt) tÁrhA nAoríiAitife
Afx tDiocAijAe CfAiofc, jAbAt) pio VII. -oe \:)A\\]\
í
1
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 87
Perpetual Succour in St. Matthew's — was
it destroj'ed ? No, it was saved ! A
thousand thanks to God and His blessed
Mother ! A thousand blessings, too, on
those who rescued and secured it in the
midst of so much confusion and ruin. And
he to whom our gratitude is especially due
was, we believe. Father William Keating,
who was sent just then to Rome by the Irish
Provincial to take charge of St. Matthew's.
He could not, indeed, save the Church or
College from destruction, yet as Battersby
says : " He fulfilled his trust with great risk,
but with good effect." That writer did not
know, perhaps, how much truth was in these
words of his. The Picture of Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour, St. Matthew's
greatest treasure, was saved and placed in
security at the convent of St. Eusebius,
where the Irish Friars remained for some
years.
THE HOLY PICTURE -IN OBSCIjRITY
In July, 1809, sacrilegious hands were
laid on the Vicar of Christ, and by Napoleon's
cruel orders Pius VII. was arrested and
carried into exile. Liberated in 1814, he
returned to Rome amid the acclamations
88 ÁR inAi$"oeAn síoii-óAt)RAó IS éiue
T)Mn-óiA"Oui5ce TlApóilein, ■aju]' cugxit) i
n"oeó|^xM"De^cc é. ScAoiteAt) 1 mblu\t)Ain a
1814 é, Aguf n'ptt t'e Af An llóim mA|\ s]\
•pAitcig A riiumnceA|\ 50 lúc5Áii\eAC -[Aoimif.
^AX> ■po "o'fulAins A|\ A nóf -péin A|a fon aii
Ciftc níof "oeAiAttiAiT» fé iat), Aguf 1 mbtiA'óAiii
A 1819 tug fé An pÁlÁf If Cilt t1lui|\e 1
bpofCAftiiA "DO CumAnn ^•^''^■óeAlAó CitLe SAin
CAfAebiufA. If fCAff X)'oMH CcAtt Tlluife "oo
nA bfÁicfib if "oo nA niACAit) leigmn ó piAoit)-
infe nA riéif eAnn a cÁinig tA\^ n-Aif Afif "oo'n
Róirh A|^ lofs fogiumA.
xXn cAcAifv SeÁn niAC 5^°^^^ C-pAoibe An
ÓéAT) pflAf "00 t)í Af Cill, ttluife 1 bpOfCA^VUlA.
IxtlgAT) 1 ^CAtAin é, AgUf "OeAfttfACAIIA A b'eA"ó
é "oo éAmonn Oifbi-oneAo tTlAC giol-l-*'^ CfAoibe
An feA|\ bA bun leif n-A iDi^Aicfib Ci\íofCAnil,A.
T)'AifCfi5eAt) fHACfAtiiAit nAotricA á\k TIIai^-
■oine Síof-óAbjAAc 50 "ocí n-A tiÁicfeAb nuAt) 1
SCilt liluife te CumAnn ^■'''^■^^•a'L'AC ua flóriiA,
Aóc níofi noccAt) lÁitfeAC 1 5córiiAi}\ u|\|\Aime
An pobuil í. Cui^ nA "bfAit-pe 1 n-ionA"0
onói\AC í Of cionn nA riAtcópAó 1 n-A n"oúiftig
Ái|Mte féin. Aóc, coifi y:AX)A if "00 b'eói "oo'n
fAogAl AnnnJ ní iiAib A tuitleA'ó rtiAjA geAtl
A|\ An l1lAC]MfhA1i
Anoif, bí An ttlACf AniAil fÁ fCÁc Aguf A5
■out níof 'ooin'ine fAoi. llit) é feo "oo óuip
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 89
of his people. He had not forgotten those
v.ho like himself had suffered for Justice
sake, and in 1819 he gave the Palace and
Church of Santa Maria in Posterula to the
Irish Community of St. Eusebius. Santa
Maria was a more suitable place for the
Fathers and those students of the Irish
Province who had once more come to
Rome to pursue their studies.
The first Prior of S. Maria in Posterula
was Father John Rice, a native of Callan,
and brother of the venerable Edmund Rice,
Founder of the Institute of the Irish Christ-
ian Brothers. To its new home at S. Maria
the Irish Community carried the holy Pic-
ture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, not
yet, indeed, to be exposed for public venera-
tion. The Fathers set it up in the place of
honour over the altar in their own private
oratory. But, as far as the world outside
knew, the Picture was no more.
Now what added verj' considerably to
the obscurity that began to hang deeper
than ever round the Picture was this. In
consequence of the many changes regularly
taking place in the Community at Santa
Maria, some Fathers and students coming
and some going every year, it happened, as
go An tnAi$-oeAti síon-óAtinAó s erne
niof "ooiriine póf pÁ fCÁc í : "Dico acivuja'ó
A]\ fnit)AL coicciAncA a\\ CutnAnn ^■'''^"^^■^^■''^*^
Cille niui|Ae. X)'\ot) b\\Á^t\^e Ajuf tnic léi-ginn
Áifvice A5 ceAóc Aim 5-AÓ bliA-óAin Ajuf oifveAtJ
eile A5 imceAóc. "Oá t)|^í5 fin, cÁplA, leif An
Aitnfn\, 5U|t bCAg "OAlCA ■oe'n CutriAnn, mÁ bí
tA|i "ouine, Aguf A vio-p Aije guji li'ioriAnn .^n
lÍlACfAIÍIAlt ÚX) 'fAn X)Ú1fltl5 pfíObÁI'OeAÓ AgUf
An l1lACf AitiAiL rhioftJAilceAó 50 jaaiG a íiAinm
1 n-Ái|A"oe z\yÁt, A<,uy tifAjiAim X)i 50 ceAnn a
ttTrAt) 1 SeAn-cilt SAin TllAicni 1 TTIeAfulAnA A|i
An GAfcuiUn.
TvUT) eile "oe, cuijieA-o -pAttA cimóeAiL An
tDAitt mA\\ A jAAit) An CeAit If An fCjAin 1 n-A
feAfAtfi cfÁc, Agtíf Ai(K An ^cutriA fAn XJeineA-ó
•OeAIMllAt) pu'l A-p An LÁtAlfl r\1A\\ A fAlli) CeAil
ÓAin tTlAiciú. tllAfi feo If eA-ó fcuAbCAf
uAinn feAn-(ióriiA|itAi"óe A^uf feAn-óuniAnnAóc
1 úf ocAif nA fCAn-'OAOine 50 mime ; if mo
50 móf A tuiccAnn fo AmAó Ajvif AófAnn
fAlffinj, ACftlJAt) mop AJUf CO^At) Af flUÚAL,
ní Vié AriiÁin An gnÁc-ACfugAt).
5An AififAf b'é miAn Á-p 1TlAi§"oine beAn-
nuigce, teif, a tuonAT) SfÁfA x>'Attv[\ mAp Af
AtóuingeA'ó if molA"í) ceAnA í 50 ccAnn nA
5CiAn. 1^s\\ cinneAt) 1 n-AtlóX) gufAt) Ann a
VyeAX) 1011AT) A glóife 'f'^''" ■Áic óéA-onA "oifeAó,
i^oif "ÓAifleACAinlÍluife lllóife Ajuf t)Aif LeACAin
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 91
years went by, that few, if indeed more than
one member of the Community, knew that
the Picture in their private oratory was the
once famous and miraculous Picture so
long venerated in old St. Matthew's in
Merulana on the Esquiline.
Besides, the spot where the Church and
the shrine once stood had been walled in,
and so even the very site of St. Matthew's
began to be forgotten. Thus the old land-
marks and the dearest associations often
happen to be swept away with the old
generations, and much more is this the case
when there is not only mere change, but
social upheavals, revolution and wars.
Doubtless, too, it was Our Lady's own
design to re-establish her throne of grace
where she had already been for so many
generations invoked and honoured. Had
not the very place itself on the Esquiline,
between the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and
St. John Lateran, been revealed in ancient
days as the place of her glory ? To the old
place she would yet return if it were only
to crush Satan just on the spot where hell
thought it had won a lasting triumph.
There and there only would Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour establish once more her
92 Áu r(iAi$T)eAti síou-óAt)riAC is éiue
6oin lACfAin. 1-p A|\ An Áic fin "o'-pitl-
■peA-ó fí -póf, bioTl) If nÁ beAt) uAice aóc SÁCAn
■DO biwigAt) fÁ óoif ci\uinn "oi^eAo a|\ Ati mbAtt
niAn Af fAoiL itpjieATin 50 fAib buAti-buATó
Ag itpfveAnn -péin. 'Sati Aic fin, Ajuf Ann aja
leitlij, •óéAnpA'ó Á-p TTlAig'oeAn Sío]\-óAbfAc a
riionAT) St^ÁfA "oo bunujAt) Afíf. X)^ "oeifeAt)
le Citt ÓAin TTIaiciu, aóc iAbA^pAt) a pALlAi^oe
fUAi"ócé -póf. Oifi tiocfAt) CfÁc "Oe -péin Asuf
gUiAifpeATD TTlACfAtriAit A tllÁCAf AmAó ó'n
fcÁc fo A]A nóf eifige nA mAi-one " com jeAl te
geAtAij corn glé te jnéin," 5 An ince aóc
milfe if CfvóCAife 1 gcórhAip a "oaIca i-p í " óorii
uAcbÁf Aó \,e A-pm 1 n-eAjAf caca " 1 n-AjAit)
coriiAóc n-itp|Mnn.
Aóc fArhluij "oo 'Óia nÁ|i rhifce btiA^oAncA
pA"OA "oo ceAóc póf -put A mboAjiAt) nA 5lói|\ce
nuA"óA Af tÍlACfAniAit A 1tlÁCA]A iDeAnnuijce.
te tmn nA riAimfifie bcAt) •OAoine "oilfe aj
CAbAi]\c Ai]\e "oo'n TtlACfAtfiAit Aguf beAt) fCéAl
A5 An bpObUt UAtA fÚT) An UAIfV ciocpAt) An
lÁ.
An bn^tAiR ORSAiu AHiis seAn-óeAil
SAin rriAiuiu
If lOnrÓA ACIXUgA-O AJU-p niAlAlfClUgA'Ó "DO
bei|\ A|V ÓtimAnn ^AeiieAlAo Aguifcín 1 -peAn-
Cill, ÓAin ftlAiciu, A'^r le n-A tinn inle "do
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 93
throne of grace. St. Matthew's was no more,
but its crumbhng walls would speak yet.
For God's own hour would come when from
this obscurity the Image of His Mother
would go forth " as the morning rising, fair
as the moon, bright as the sun," all sweet-
ness and mercy towards her children, but
" terrible as an army set in array " against
the powers of hell.
But it seemed good to God that long years
should yet pass before the new glories
should come to the Picture of His Blessed
Mother. In the meantime there were faith-
ful guardians of the Picture who would tell
all when the day came.*
BROTHER ORSETTI OF OLD ST. MATTHEW'S
Through aU the changes and transforma-
tions in the Irish Augustinian Community
* Our readers are sure to ask why the Holy Picture
was put in the private Oratory and not in the public
Church at S. Maria ? Apart from the designs of God's
Providence and the will of Our Lady herself to have
her shrine between the Church of St. Mary Major and
that of St. John Lateran, there was this special reason :
that church of S. Maria in Posterula had already a cele-
brated Picture of the Madonna, Madre di Grazia, the
Mother of Grace, which is now in the Irish National
Church of St. Patrick, Rome. This miraculous
picture was in the public church and, needless to say,
could not be replaced by anj' other.
94 -^ri niAig-oeAn slou-óAliuxsC is éme
n^A^\\ "ouine .1. ^n "oil-OfAtAii; cuxíca "oo Uia"óa"ó
óeAr\A .1. Asiiifcín OffAic a mA^■\\ 50 bLiA-O^Mn
A 1853. CAilleA-ó Annfom é Ajuf é fé blM"ÓTiA
1-p óeitfe póiT) "o'Aoif. A^uf é An-05 jAb -pé
ifceAó 1 gClooAfV SAin TTlAicni, tug a trióToe
■piAgAlCA Ann, Aguf t)i 1 n-A "óaIca "oe'n CumAnn
foin 5U|\ ■DibneAi;) 1 n'oeipeAt) nA liOócttiA"ó
Aoife "oeAg 1A-0. t)í A fCA|\ Aije "oe 5AÓ
ATlbilUIT) If AnACAf "OÁjA beijA AH nA t)|\Á1C|Alb ó
Cifinn Aguf •00 óórhntJig fé 1 n-A t)poóAi|\ fA
'oeii\eA"ó 1 5C1LI l1liiine 1 bpofCA-pulA. llí
jAbAt) A ^Át> 5U|\ rhmic An "oeAj-biiAtAip feo
A5 mAócnAVh A|\ An Cf CAn-Aimfi-p if a\\ 5AÓ f CAn-
ArhAfC niA-p A mbíot) ITlACfAriiAil óCAnnfA
TTlÁCA-fv nA Síof-óAbfiAó pÁ onói|A A5 muinncif
nA TlómA. 'pói|MO|A ! tDi fí pó fCÁt Anoif,
Aguf 5An eóiAf ui|\ce aóc A5 An mbeAjÁn.
xXóc bí "oe cion Aige púx> fein Af^ An TlTACf AniAit
TlAorfitA nÁf Lei5 -pé piAni A-p a fA-óAfC í, Aguf
b'Aoibinn teif beic A5 cu|\ -píof a\\ a gtóijAtib
ÁffA *oo "oAoinib eile.
All t)R^tAin onsAiu is miCeÁt mAnclii
ti)í -ouine Áiince Ajuf if cofttiAit 511^ tv^ fé
Aipe -pó leic "oo óAinnc An t)-fvÁCA|\ OpfAic 1
X)CAOib nA triACfAirilA, Ajuf b'é bí 'fAn "omne
•pin "RoniAnAC 05 "OAi^Ab Ainm TTliCeÁt tllApctn
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 95
of old St. Matthew's there remained one,
the dear old Lay brother, Augustine Orsetti,
who survived till 1853 when he passed
awa}^ at the advanced age of eighty-six.
When still very young he entered the
Convent of St. Matthew, made his religious
vows there and was a member of that
Community until the expulsion at the
end of the Eighteenth Century. He shared
in all the trials and hardships of the Irish
Friars and with them settled at last at
S. Maria in Posterula. Needless to say,
this good Brother's thoughts went often
back to the old days and the old scenes
when his beloved Picture of the Mother of
Perpetual Succour was in such honour
amongst the people of Rome. Alas ! it
was now in obscurity, known only to a few.
But loving the Hol}^ Picture as he did he
never lost sight of it, and delighted to speak
to others of its ancient glories.
BROTHER ORSETTI AND MICHAEL MARCHI
There was one who seems to have paid
particular attention to Brother Orsetti's
words about the Picture, and that was a
youthful Roman named Michael Marchi who
96 An mAi5"DeAn síoTi-óAt)UAó is éine
■DO GÍOt) A5 -pfeAlXAÍ ATI AipjMtin llAOtflCA 1
gCitt ítluine. ílí rieAt> ArhÁin 50 troeineAt) pé j
All cAip-peAnn "oo pfeAfCAt 1 n-eAglAif An
pobint mó^\^ aóc 'óeineA'ó AititAit) 50 mime
'yAn "oúijACig ■pjiioOAi'oeAo óorii rriAic, Ajuf
mó^-tfióf» A5 An AlcoijA óéAT)nA niAfi a ^Aitt ah
itlACf AriiAit nAottiCA : innifeAnn fé péin "ouinn
5U|\ "oiAn-tfiAic ■00 tu5 fé pÁ r\X)eA\\A Í 50
mime. If mime, teif, "oo óuAtAit) fé ó'n
mt)fÁCAij\ OffAic 50 'ocugCAi'óe Á|\ "0-11 |^|t Aim
A|\ -pAT) 'oo'n ttlACfAniAit C|\Ác 1 SeAn-óilt SAin
ITIaiciú A|\ An eAfcinUn Agtif 50 mbíox) péile
foiAtfiAncA 1 n-onói]A "oi 5A6 bliA"óAin.
InnifCAnn TnA|\eíii 50 jcuijieAt) An peAn-
t)-pÁtAi|A *Díl 1 n-A Uiije Ai|\ péin, AniAil if "oÁ
mbeAt) eól-Af ó neArii Aige a\\ a -pAili) le cuicim
AmAó, An fCéAt cÁtJAócAó 5U|\ li)'ionAnn An
TtlAC-pAmAil -pin 'f An "ouincig Aguf An lÍlAef atiiaiI
"OO t)i 1 "ocofAó 1 sCitt SAin IllAicni. " tDiot)
A piof A-^AZ, A itlióíl, gujAAb é TTlAig'oeAn Cille
SAin IllAicui ACÁ fuAf 'fAn 'oúiiAtig. IIÁ "oein
■oeAjirhAT) Ai]A ! . . . . "^An AmjiAf , if í ! 5-*^^''
Arhf Af ! An 'ocingeAnn cú, a ITIióít "oil. Ó,
bA triiofbAitceAó í ! . . . " Seo Í An óAinnc,
Aj^f A ITlAfcbi, "OO bío"ó Af f lubAl A5 An mbfÁCAif
OnfAic Aguf mófÁn eile "OA fAriiAil.
If cofn'iAit 5U|\ loiiTóA cóirinÁt) "OA leitéiT)
feo "OO CÁflA l-Olf An bfÁCAIf AOfCA AgUf
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 97
used to serve Holy Mass at S. Maria. He
served ]\Iass not only in the public church
but often in the private oratory as well, and
at the very altar on which the Holy Picture
was, of which as he himself tells us he often
took particular notice.
He had often heard from Brother Orsetti
how the Picture was once held in the highest
veneration in the old Church of St. Matthew
on the Esquiline and honoured ever}" j'ear
with a solemn festival.
Marchi tells us that the good old Brother,
knowing as it were by a heavenly inspira-
tion what was j^et to happen, would impress
upon him the important fact that that
Picture in the oratory was the identical
Picture that was originally at St. Matthew's.
" Know, IMichele mio, that the Madonna of
St. Matthew's is that which stands above
in the oratory. Do not forget it ! . . . Un-
doubtedly ! Undoubtedly ! Do 3'ou under-
stand, my dear Michael ? Oh, it was
miraculous ! . . ." Thus, says Marchi, used
Brother Orsetti to speak and much more
to the same effect.*
*Attestatio P. Mich: Marchi, C.SS.R. 1865 (Vide-
Beata Virgo Maria de Perpetuo Succursu, Romae,
1876. App. n. iv.).
gS Áxi mxMg'oe-Ari slon-óAliuAó is 6ine
mAt^c■h1 05, nió|\-rhón 1 nibliA-ó»Mn a 1850 A^iif
1 mbliA"t)<Mn A 1851. t)i ATI tDjAArAip 50 -ootiAToe
■DAll pÁ'n Atn foin. "ÓÁ t)liA"ó<Mn 1 n-A -oKAt)
1'ATi .1. 1 rtibliA'óAin A 1853, CAilleAi!) é .Aguf
5An A belt "o'A-óbA-p Aoibnif Aige TTlACfAttiAil
tiA tllAij-Dine "o'feic-pinc noóccA 1 gcottiAij;
uiA-pAime An pobuil mAf "oo biot) ; acc bi "oe
fÁf Atti Ai^ne Ai^e guf frÁg fé 1 n-A "oiAit) •OAoine
•00 tAbA|ApA"0 A\\\e TtlAlt "01.
1 TnbliA"óAin A 1855 ^Ab CAt\A Ó5 0|\fAire .1.
TTIiCeÁl 'mA|\ctii mAf\ ttiACútéiiieAó le CuniAnn
An f^UAI'CAlCÓt^A "Ró-nAOltlCA : bíO'OAlA f O "OifeAO
CA-p elf mAini-pci|\ T)o óuf\ a|\ bun •d<x nÓj\"o 1
Slige TTleA-pvilAnA a\\ An GAfCiiilin.
ceAtt.is inAinisuin sAin AVpoiisA An
Ati eAsctiiUn
Al-ponfA tlAOfhtA, 'bunAi'óe CuniAinn An
■piiAf CAlrófA "Ró-nAotticA, CAilleAX) 1 nibliA-óAin
A 1787 é A5 tlocAfA (pA^Aini) 1 n-Aice tlUA't)-
ÓAC|\AÓ 1oT)ÁlA, Ajuf If Annfoin "OO bi cóifi-
nui"óe A|\ An UAccAfÁn CoicóeAnn cum 5Uf\
CU5 pio IX. niAfi óf'ougA'ó uató i mbliA-óAin
A 1854 A belt 1 n-A óóifinui'óe peAfCA 'ifAn
Tlóini. CeAnnuijCAt) t)i^u5 OAfAfCA a|a An
GAfCuiUn "oe bA-p|\ oinij An AtAf Oijibi-omj
"OubStAf (1819-I898) AgUf zo-ry^-^ CeAll If
I
CHAPEL AND SHRINE OF OUR I.AUV O
ST. ALPHONSUS' CHURCH,
■ PERPETUAL SUCCOUR,
LIMERICK.
St. flipDonsus. Doctor of the Cburcb.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR loi
It seems many such conversations took
place between the aged Brother and the
young Marchi, particularly in 1850 and 1851.
The Brother was then feeble and blind.
Two years later, in 1853, he died, without
indeed the joy of seeing his beloved
Madonna exposed for public veneration as
of old, but satisfied that he had left behind
him faithful trustees.
In 1855 Orsetti's 3^oung friend, Michael
Marchi, entered the Novitiate of the Re-
demptorists who had just established a
House of the Congregation in the Via
Merulana on the Esquiline.
ST. ALPHONSUS' CHURCH AND MONASTERY
ON THE ESQUILINE
St. Alphonsus, the Founder of the Congre-
gation of the Most Holy Redeemer, died in
1787 at Nocera (Pagani), near Naples, and
there the Superior General lived until
Pius IX., in 1854, commanded that he
should live in Rome. Through the great
generosity of the venerable Father Douglas
(1819-1898), the Villa Caserta on the
Esquiline was purchased, and upon its
extensive grounds were built the Church
I02 ^R inAi$"oeAii síon-óAbnAé is éme
ITlAinifcitA ÓAin AtponfA á\\ a ^rAitóe p^iiAfins
t3'é An cAtAijA Ró-u|\|\AmAó TlioctÁf TTlAUfon
( + 1893) An 6éAX) AtA\-\\ CoicóeAtin T)o "óein
córhTiiii'óe Ann ; Aguf Dí An c-iAffAi!)tóin 05
TnióeAt tTlAfVclii A|A nA inAcoleifeAoAif) bA
túif ce "00 tó5 fé if ceAó 'yAn C15 nuA-ó : úuj
niiCeÁl, A tfiói"oe, Aguf 5IAC -pé 5f A"ó coiff eACAn
An fTAiúóe "00 t)í A5 ^AbÁit te bt^uj ÓAfA|\CA
51 fé An-rhóf. 1i)í óeitfe acjia "oeA^ CAltfiAn
Ann ; A^uf gAn AnifAf b'oiíieArhnAó i-p bA
LuAótrtAjA An ceAnnAó é A\y 5AÓ fUge. Hí bA
■oiA-ónAije, Átti, tó5 fiiA5lui5teoitM"óe ntiA'óA nA
RóriiA ótióA péin ujiriióf An CAfCÁic feo óum
fl\Ái"oeAnnA nuA^óA "oo teAgAt) AmAó mAji
riiAife A\\ An 6AfcuiUn. 1 "oceAnncA Geit An-
oiiAeArhnAó "oo'n gnó t)í ceApcA 1 scórhAif nA
pAitóe if lonTóA cuniAnnAóc if cuitfine ttAin
teif An riiAinifCijA Ajtif Leif An gcóttiu-pfAnAóc
Agtif ftiiiTi irióf\ loncA Ag "OAlcAíG An ■puAf-
CAtCÓlAA Tló-nAonitA.
An óéAT) "beACA SAin At^onfA T)á|\ cfAot)-
fCAOlteAÍ) ^IAtfl, ClCOtDUAlteAt) 1 mt)tlA"ÓAin A
1802 é A5 tD|\u5 CAfAjicA te stéAf p|\íot)Ái'oeAó
cló'óA ■oÁ|\ t>Ain te feAn-feAtt)uit)e nA tiÁice
.1. 1-'']\oinfiAf CAecAine. 1 jcúinne ÁiiMte
■oe'n Á1C t)í SAn J^i^i-^^o mA]\ Ap óuifi An
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 103
and Monastery of St. Alphonsus, opening
on to the Via Merulana. The first Father
General to reside there was Most Rev. Fr.
Nicholas Mauron ( + 1893), and one of the
first novices he received into the new house
was the postulant, young Michael Marchi,
who in due course was professed and
ordained priest.
The grounds attached to the Villa Caserta
were very large, about fourteen acres in
extent, and, of course, in every way a most
desirable and valuable purchase. Later,
however, most of this property was taken
away by the new rulers of Rome to embellish
the Esquiline with new streets. Besides
being a property most suitable for the
purpose intended, the house and locality
held associations very dear to Redemp-
torists.
The first published Life of St. Alphonsus
was printed in 1802 at the Villa Caserta, in
the private printing press of a former
owner, Francis Caetani. At one corner of
the property was San Giuliano, where,
in 1783, Father de Paula made the
first Redemptorist Foundation in Rome,
and where, in the following year, St.
Clement Hofbauer was received as a
104 An i'>iAi$x)eAii síou-cA\JRAc IS éiiie
zAtÁ^\^ "oe pÁlA aii óéAt) Ion At) "OA |\Ailj A5
CuinAtiti An ■piiAf CAtcó|tA 'f'A" tlóitti, 1 mbtiA-óAin
A 1783, niA|\ A\\ COJA-O IfCCAC, An BllAt)Ain 1
n-A "oiATo fin, SAin Clemieinc ^pbAe^A niAH
iriAiccléipeAc "oe'n CuiriAnn, Ajuf mA|\ Af
glACAt) leif mA]\ noitiifeAc 1 mbliAt)Ain a 1785.
IDa riió 'nÁ fo péin "oo bí Ann. CAob ifcig
t)e ceófAin An ceA|\nioinn ntiAit) yeo bi bAtl
niA^ AH feAf 50 ceAnn c^ti céA-o bl.iA"óAn eAfv-
"DAifi 5ló|\iriA|A Áfi ITlAij'Oine Síop-óAbjiAó !
CeAtt SAin IIIaicui "OO bAin l,e CuniAnn Aguifcin
If "00 leAgAt) le nniinncif nA PfAinnce fUAf le
teAC-ceAT) btiA'óAn -poiinif fin bi a riiAHfmAit)e
le feicfin 1 mbun An gAifoin fiof. "Oeirii-
nigeAt) 5An 50 cat) a bi if nA biAffmAíb f o.
Illop-riiofi "oein AitfCAoA An 'puAfCAlcofA aitiac
50 -pAib Ainin SeAn-cille SAin IIIaiciú 1 n-Áifi"oe
cfÁc "oe bAf|\ IllACf AtnlA- nnofbAilcige x>e'^^
lIlAig'oin "DeAnninjce. ScéAt nuAt) "óóib "oo
b'eA'o é feo, mA|\ guf "oAoine lAfAóCA 'fAn
Uóltil lAt) fern. " AgUf /' ITlAf A'0UbA1j\C SAgAf c
ACA leif An sctiiT) eile, " ni lieót ■oúinn Anoif
CA bftiil An ITlACf AifiAil nnofbAilceAo foin.
UÁ fi imcijce Af f A-óAj^c An pobinl le b|\eif if
leAC-óéAt) bliA"óAn, Agitf 50 "oeimin féin ní
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 105
novice of the Congregation and professed
in 1785.
IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES
But more even than this. The newly-
acquired property enclosed the very spot
where had stood for 300 years the glorious
sanctuar}' of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour !
At the end of the garden were still to be
seen some ruins of the Augustinian Church
of St. jMatthew levelled by the French
nearly fift}' years before. These ruins were
verified beyond a doubt. The Redemptorist
Fathers discovered, moreover, what was
news for them who were strangers in Rome,
that old St. Matthew's was famous for a
miraculous Picture of the Blessed Virgin.
" But," as one of the Fathers went on
to explain to the others, " we do not
know now where that miraculous Picture
is. It has disappeared from public view
for over fifty years, and, indeed, it
i may have been itself destro3-ed with the
Church."
Father Michael Marchi was one of the
Redemptorist Fathers who were listening to
these words. The whole story told him by
the dear old Lay-brother, Orsetti, about
io5 ÁR mAig'oeAn slou-óAbUAí; is óme
móit)e 'nÁ ■^u]\ miLleA-o í itiaja Aon leif An
5C1U."
t)í An cx\tAi|\ tnióeÁL niApclii A|v nA hAitp-
eAóAit) "oe CuniAnn An puAfCAlcópA "oo bí A5
éifceAóc teif An gCAinnc feo. Cinrnnig fé
lÁici\eAó Afv An fcéAl "o'innif An feAn-t)iAÁtAii\
cuACA Ot^fAic "oo pice bliA-oAn \yo^m |Aé, A^uf
•o'innif An cAcAip ITlióeÁl -péin aja An lÁtAifv
fin tjo'n CiimAnn a 15Í CjAumnijce ciniCeAll, ai|\
Ag tD^MlJ OAfA^CA AJUf longnA-O OtAOI-Oe OfltA
uite. An inéiT» a ouaIato fé aj^ii^^ éi n-A OuaóaiIí
t)eA5 A5 CiLl tiluifie 1 bpofCAyiulA ó'n nit3|\Á€AitA
0]\fAic. "O'lnnif fé -oo 50 jiAit) An itlACf aiíiaiI
An C|\Ác fAn péin 'fAn "oúiiAtig p|AÍoll)ÁToeAó, ^u^x
fAoiAA-O í An CAn niilteA-ó CeAtt Sóin niAiciú
le tniiinnciji nA Pf Ainnce Aguf 50 jaaiG fí mAfV
óú|\Am jAiAríi ó foin a\\ nA tiAiC|veAóAib *oílfe
ó éifinn "oo t)Ain te CumAnn Agnifcín. "Oei^-
fcéAlA f o 5An 50 "oo ónip lúcjÁij^ An tÁ f An A|\
CinTiAnn SAin AlponfA, Aguf "oo jAOA-OAti
tiile A tnbui-óeAóAf te "Oia if te nA ttlÁCAi|V
"DeAnnuijte coifc An ttlACf aitiaiI "oo beit flÁn
póf.
UuigpeAfi 5An nioill 5U|\ aia AicfeAóAib An
lptiAfCALcó|iA "oo beA-ó An tútgÁiti óiAoi-óe X)Á
b^reici-oii' IllACf AriiAit Á|a lllAig-oine SíotA-tAbf a6
Af ctAOOAt) 1 sCitt niiAi-ó SAin AtponfA "oo
cójA-ó mAfi AT)éA|\pÁ te cloóAib fCAipce
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 107
the Madonna of St. ]Matthew's, came back
fresh to his memory after twenty years, and
there and then Father Marchi related to the
wondering Commimit}/ at the Villa Caserta
all that Brother Orsetti had told him w^hen he
was a little fellow at Santa Maria in Posterula,
how the Picture was there yet in the private
orator}'', saved from destruction when St.
Matthew's was destroyed by the French,
and ever since guarded faithfully by the
Irish Augustinian Fathers. This was truly
good tidings of great joy that day in the
Community of St. Alphonsus', and all
thanked God and His Blessed Mother that
the Picture was still safe.
It will be readily understood, of course,
how the Redemptorist Fathers would re-
joice to see the Picture of Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour placed in their new
Church of St. Alphonsus, that had, as it
were, been built up from the scattered
stones of Mary's ancient sanctuary. But
what claim had the\' on the Picture ?
None. They did not as yet know even the
title of the Picture, nor were they, of
course, aware that Our Lady had ever
made known her will that her Picture
should be exposed for veneration in a
Io8 ,ÁU 111.AlgT)eA11 SÍOH-CAt)llAC IS elRG
e^Ni;^)^!!!! á|\f4 tlluipe. Aóc cat) é An ce<3k|\c ^ t)i
ACA f ÚT) ctini riA niACfAiiilA ? Hi jaaiG pioc.
tlioji Ij'eót "ooit) pó]^ piú ceTOil riA lll^cfAtiiLA,
Agiif niop b'eót "ooib acc ah oijieAt) 5Uf\
óiii]\ Á|^ tllAij-oeAn "DeAmunjce i jcéilt C|\Ác
5U|A rhiAti téi 50 tToéAnpAi-óe a lIlACfAttiAil
"oo noócA"ó 1 5CótriAi|A ujXfAime 1 jcitl
éigin i"Dií\ Cm llluife TTlóipe Aguf Citt Goin
■LACi\Ain.
Hi |\Ail!) A fiof V'^'^ ^5 ■^" AcAij; ITIiCeAl
mA|\clii v^i"; ói|\ If co|MtiAil, nÁ ^AiG ó'n
mtDi^ACAi]; 0|\f A1C acc a GuaIa-o ifceAC 1 n-Aigne
l1lA|\crii 5U|\ t)'ionAnn An lIlACfAttiAit of cionn
riA íiAlcófAó 'fAn x>ú\\\t^^^ pfiíot)Ái'oeAó 1
gCltt l1lui)\e 1 bpofCAi\UlA AgUf An tllACfAltlAll
x>o t)i C|\Ác pó Áfo-otióin Aguf inó|i-óÁil 1
gCitt ÓAin tllAiciú. 'O'fÁj An t)t^ÁtAi|i nAOtritA
An óuiT) eile Af fAX) -pó "Óia. 50 "ocí fAn,
niAjA foin, niojA teit^ "o'AictieACAit) An 'puAfCAt-
có|\A Aon ceAjic Ag A 5C1LI féin 1 TlleAfiilAnA
óum nA triACfArhtA nÁ pÁt Af bit te n-A beic
A\< An GAfcuiUn 1 n-Aon óof». X)ut> jeAfji 50
n'oéAnfATóe An tiile nTo "oo teifiuijA-o Átti.
téiRijueAR 'oeOnvijA'ó "oé
CÁftA cimóeAtt nA TiAinifife feo 50 fAib
An cAcAii\ "PjAoinfiAf t)l.oifi "oe C í. A5 f eAn-
móifeAóc feAl '•p'*" S^'Afii 1 "ocAoib ^^óipce nA
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 109
church between St. Mary Major's and St.
John Lateran's.
Father Marchi himself did not know that,
tor it seems to have been Brother Orsetti's
one sole object to impress upon Marchi the
fact that the Picture over the altar in the
private oratory in S. Maria in Posterula
was the identical Picture that used to be
in so much honour and renown in St.
Matthew's. The holy Brother left all the
rest to God. §0 far, then, there was no
special reason as far as the Redemptorists
were aware why their church in Merulana
should have any claim to the Picture or
why it should be on the Esquiline at all.
Soon, however, all would be made clear.
god's will is made KNOWN
It happened about this time that Father
Francis Blosi, S.J., was preaching a course
of sermons in the Gesu, on the Glories of
the Blessed Virgin. On Saturday, Feb. 7,
1863, the subject of his discourse was
{the Ancient and Miraculous Picture of Our
ILady of Perpetual Succour. Father Blosi
itook his account of the history of the Pic-
ture from a discourse on Our Lady of
no An niAi^'oeAn síor-óaV)Raó is éiue
■mAi5"oine iDeAiinuijte. T)ia SxitAiiin ^n fe^óc-
tíiA"ó lÁ "oe 111Í n^ "péile t)|\i5'oe b'é Oi rr\A\[
A"ót)xin CAiniice Aige niACfAiriAiL lÍliofOAilceAó
ÁpfA riA ID^ij-ome SíO|\-óAt)|\Aó. If eAt) t)í
niAp IJun te fCAijA riA tTlACfAriitA A5 An AtAiji
"PHonifiAf ófÁix) 'OÁ|\ C115 f-AjA-pc eile "oe
CumATin íofA UA1T) 'fAn óill 6éAX)^^A céAX>
Agvif oóc mbliA'ónA if X)A fiói"o jioiniif fin .1.
All CXXCAIp Ca|\01C1. 'LtlA'ÓA'í) AH Ó-pxSlt) fill
ATITIfO ÓeATIA. Ar\ Z]\Át tAC)A11^ An cAtAIjA
CAf 01C1 bl All lÍlACf AIÍIAlt pÁ ÓiÚ gO f Ólf leACAIl
1 "ocfeo 50 n-A'orfiuijci'óe 50 fAib fí a\\ 1Í1ac-
fAtiilAili) míoftJAilceAóA riA TlóriiA. 1 mbtiA-oAin
A I7I5 "OO tÁjllA f O, AJUf ní fAbCAf AÓC "OifeAO
CAf éif All ófé "oo leAjA-o AnviAf A]\ An mbeijM:
■OAtcA "otlfe feo "oe'n lilAij-om Siof-óAt)|\A(; .1.
An CAifoineAl neit\li A^uf An t)\^ÁtA^]\ Oifbit)-
neAó "OonncAt) ó éi|\inn : ó bí gfAt) aca
t)i Annfo nío|\ fCAfrfiAin "oóit!) 1 bftif.
" An tTlAi5"oeÁn Síof-'ÓeAnnuijte " An beAn-
nugA-o bí A5 An "Róirii uile "oi An iiAi|\ íit).
Anoif, f óifiof ! 1 mbliA-oAin a 1863, níO|\
\j'■pí^\.Á^\\ "oo'n AtAi|\ PfoinfiAf t)loifi beic
A5 CAoineA"ó 1 n-ionAT) beic tticjAijAeAo. mil-
teA-ó CeAtl ÓAin 111aiciú a bfA"o fvoimif fin if
CÁ "0010156 fcéAt 'nÁ 50 n-oeAiAnA-o AriitAi-o
teif An lIlACfAtiiAit A bí 50 51ó|miiah cfÁt.
te Unn nA fCAnmonA ■otibAi|\c An cAtAifi
«il
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR iii
Perpetual Succour, preached in the same
church, 148 years before, by another Jesuit,
Father Carocci, to which we have already
referred. In the days when Father Carocci
spoke, it was widely renowned as one of
the most miraculous in Rome. That was
in 17 15, and the grave had only then closed
over those two great clients of Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour, Cardinal Nerli and
the Venerable Donogh, the Irish Friar, who
as they loved her in life were not separated
from her in death. All Rome saluted her
then as " the ever-miraculous Madonna."
Now, alas ! in 1863, Father Blosi had to
lament rather than rejoice. St. Matthew's
Church had been long since destroyed, and,
perhaps, the once glorious Picture had
suffered the same fate. In the course of
his sermon. Father Blosi related how, in
the beginning. Our Lady herself had re-
vealed that it was her will that her Picture
should be set up for veneration in some
church between St. Mary Major's and St.
John Lateran's, and had, indeed, been there
for 300 years until her sanctuary was
destroyed by the sacrilegious hands of the
French invaders.
Would to Heaven, Father Blosi said,
112 Áíi inAig"oeAri síou-óaGraó is éme
■p|\oinfiAÍf t)loifi 5UH cuip All lÍlAij-oeAii pém
1 jcéill 1 'ocofAC 5iif\ liiiAn téi a IllACiMriiAil
■oo Ueit A|t cfioóAt) 1 5cóiiiAi|\ ii|A|AAinie i jcitt
éijin it)ií\ CiLt tÍlui|Ae 1T1ói|\e Ajuf CiLt Goin
VAtpAin, Aguf 50 fiAit) fí Ann 50 "oeinnn 50
ceAnn c^i óéA-o bliAt)An óum gu-p milLeA'ó a
iieAíA"OAin Ve lAmAiu nAoniAitife nA n^AúÁlcAi-óe
ó'n t)P|\Ainnc.
t)'péiT)i|\ "oe "oeoin nA t)irLAiceA]% A|\fA An
C/AcAifi P|\oinfiAf "bloifi, 50 mbeAt) "ouine
éipn A5 éifceAóc liom Ajuf a piof Aige ca
Gpuit An lilACfAtiiAit, Aguf 50 'neófA-ó fé
CAT) If miAn niÁCAn "Oe 1 n-A caoiú 1 "oci^eó 50
noccpAit)e Afiíf í te riAjAit» upnAime 1 5C1II "oe
ceAllAit) nA feAn-Áice ^x>^]\ An GAfcutlín if An
CeoiiAn. Ca tjpiof "oúinn ? t)'i:éix)ii\ gup
"oo'n jtúin feo t)o ceApAt) mAjv ■gloijA tllAC-
f AniAil Á|\ inAi5"oine Síoi\-CAtl)f.Aó "o'Aimfni5At>,
Aguf mÁ A1tnf1$ceA|^ í 50 ■ociocAt) mAp Aon
téi pío|A-úuAi"ó nA fíof\-fíoccÁnA. "^o fiAit) An
féAn Afi An viile t)uine "oeAnpAit) a fCA|\ "oe
tfrÓ|A-f AOCA|\ "OÁ f AIÍIAlL !
/An CUA^MfC A CUAlAlt) AlCJ\eAÓA An IptlAfCAl-
t,ó\^A 1 ^Citl, SAin ALponfA A|\ An GAfcuilín
1 "OCAoiG -peAnmónA An AtA]\ PtioinfiAf t)loifi
ní 5Át)At> A -pAt) 5Ufi óuifi fé A5 mACcnArii iat)
50 "oiAn. Úu5 An feAnmónuTóe a feAninóin
■OÓlO Ap 1A]MÓC ÓVim A fArilAll "OO "OeAnAtfl.
OUR LADY or PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 113
that someone among my hearers, knowing
where the Picture is, may make known the
will of God's Mother regarding it, and have
it once more exposed for veneration in one
of the churches in the old position between
the Esquiline and the Ceolian. Who knows ?
Perhaps,- to this generation is reserved the
glory of the finding of the Picture of Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour, and to the
finding of it may be joined the gift of
universal peacp. Happy all they who co-
operate in this so great work !
Needless to say, the Redemptorists at
St. Alphonsus' on the Esquiline were deeply
impressed with what they heard of Father
Blosi's sermon. The preacher lent them his
sermon to take a copy. It was a document
ever\^ line of which was of thrilling interest,
particularly where it related how Our Lady
herself had of old revealed the very place
of her sanctuary. The Fathers knew now,
not only where the Picture was, but also Ms
Title, " Our Lady of Perpetual Succour,"
and that it was her own express will, made
known in ancient days, that it should be
venerated in the very place, near which now
stood their Church of St. Alphonsus, Mary's
illustrious client. Was not the very site of
9
114 '^^^ mAi$"oeAn sIou-óaIíraó is éiue
ScpíGinn T)0 b'eA"ó í 50 -p^it) bpíj lÁn-Aibit) 1
njxió line "ói, nióiA-nió|A niAf\ a\\ innif fí 5u|\
óiii|A Á1(\ Vf\A^%x>eA■n "DeAnnuijce péin 1 jcéitl
1 n-AtloT) píoiA-ionAT) A ceA|\r(ioiiin. "b'eól x>o
iu\ TiAiCj\eAóAib Atioif cÁ fVAib An TÍlACfAniAil,
Aguf ní bé fin AtriÁin aóc caT) bA Uei-oeAt "01
cotri mAit .1. " -^n mAig-oeAn Sion-óAbt^Ac."
"b'eól 'Dóib mój^-tnó^; 5;u|\At) é a miAn "OAingeAn
■péin, Aguf póf gu-p cuiiAeA"ó An iftiAn fAn 1
gcéitt 1 n-AtlóT), 50 "orugcATóe lífi^AHTi "oo'n
itlACf AitiAit 'f-*^ ^i^ ^'""^ "oíneAó, lÁitti te Citl
ÓAin Al^onfA, x>Atx:A o^\x>eA]\c tlluifie. TlÁ
•pAit) lÁiCj^eÁn A ceAf-tnoinn AffA 1 n-A njAif-
"oíníb péin. 11Á ftAib cIoóa fCAipte SeAn-
cilte SAin tTlAicn'i A5 iAbAinc ó n-A n-ionAT)Ait)
1f nA ITAlVAÍb nUAX)A 1f Ag 5lA0t)AÓ tA-\\ n-A1f
Af An lIlAigTun Sío|\-óAt!)f a6 ?
t)A cÁbAóCAó An nit) é gAn Aon A50, Aguf
níof rhótA a lÁn pAit^iAeAo Af a fon. "OÁ bfi's
fin óAit CumAnn Cille SAin Al^ronfA Cjií
bliA-onA A5 Atóinnje 50 x>út\^AtZAt ^ac LÁ 1
tJCfveó 50 "ocui^i'oíf 50 Cjiuinn ca"o bA "Óeoin
T)é 1 n-A tAoib.
iTimsueAR An scéAt "oo pio IX
1 ntjeineA-o nA "OAIa, An c-AonriiAt) lÁ "oéAj
"oe rin' lIcotAg, 1865, bí cóni|\Á"ó A5 An AtAi-p
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 115
her ancient sanctuar}- in their gardens ?
Were not the scattered stones of St. Mat-
thew's speaking from their place in the new
walls and calling Our Lad}' of Perpetual
Succour back ?
It was, indeed, a matter of great moment
and much prayer was needed. The Com-
munit}', therefore, at St. Alphonsus' spent
three years in fervent and daily supplication,
the better to make sure of the Divine Will.
STORY OF THE PICTURE TOLD TO PIUS IX
At last, on the nth of December, 1865,
Most Rev. Father Nicholas Mauron,
Superior-General of the Congregation of
the Most Holy Redeemer, in an audience
with the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX., re-
lated the whole story of the Picture as far
as he knew it from Father Marchi, and
the sermon of Father Blosi. He pointed
out to the Pope how everything seemed to
suggest that the Picture should go back to
its old place, between St. Mary Major's and
St. John Lateran's, and how the Church
of St. Alphonsus in Merulana, built, as it
was, only a stone's throw from Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour's old sanctuary, seemed
ii6 An nvAi$T)eAn slon-óAliuAó is óiue
TlÓ-U|A|\AniAÓ lllOClÁf niAUjAOtl "UAÓCAlAÁn
CoicceAtin Cinn-Aniti Ar\ 'puAfCx^tcó|^c<^ Ró-
n^orhtA teif ah bpÁpA pio IX., A^uf "o'lnnif
fé "óó An fcéAt 50 léif\ 1 ■oc-Aoitj riA mACfAiiUA
óorh jTA-OA If tYiAji -puAifi fé péin ó'n AtAif
niiceÁl niAjActii é inA]\ Aon leif ati niAipifc
■00 t)i 'f'<^'*'' rcjAiGinti A5 An x\cai|\ 'ppoinfiAf
"bloifi. ttlinig fé "oo'n pÁpA mA]\ X)\ jac
ni"ó Aj cóniAiftiugA-ó ■óóit) 511^ cói|i An 111ac-
fAriiAil "00 cuj^ CAfv n-Aif 'fAn cfCAn-Áic toih
Citt ttlmt^e nióipe Aguf Cill Goin t^tl^A1n.
lilinig ye -jpoy X)ó inAjA cojAt) CeAll Saui Al-
ponfA 1 nieAiiulAnA 1 njeAjAfAcc meAjioige "oe
ÓeAn-eAfi'OAtti Á\^ niAig-oine Síot\-cAt)|\Aó, Ajuf,
"oo fiéin cótfiApcAi"óe nÁ|\ t)'péit)it\ "out tÁ\\\'x:A,
5U|\ "oi but) óói|\ A CAbAifvc niA|A buAi-ó ÁiCjieAt)
ntiAt) "oo 'óéAnAtfi -oo'n tilACfArhAil. 5°^^^ ^"
fCéAl 50 nióp AjA An bpÁpA A^uf gAb fé a
bui-óeACAf te X)ia "oe óionn nA niACfAriilA
nAoriitA "oo beic flÁn póf. "O'innif fé "oo'n
AcAi|\ CoicóeAnn ^nfi niAit bA cum'nn leif
beit A5.5ui"óe 1 SeAn-cilL SAin IllAinii. X)'\
fé A5 "out 1 bpOÓAIjA A ACAH AgUf A niÁtAl^ Ó
Citl TÍluiiie móitie 50 Citt eoin tAttiAin Ajuf,
inAjx A-oubAiiic fé péin, " coifc mé beit aii-
beAg cÁinig ctniAfe OjMn Aguf cugA-OAf ifceAó 1
gCitl ÓAin ITlAiciu mé TD'fonn fOf feAlAiT) a
beit A^Am." Ó bA ]\ux> é ^u\\ tMi^At) pio IX.
(JUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 117
irresistibly to claim the privilege of being
her new home. The Pope, deeply touched,
thanked God that the holy Picture was still
safe. He told the Father General how he
well remembered praying himself before the
miraculous Picture in old St. Matthew's.
He was going with his parents from St.
Mary Major's to St. John Lateran's, and,
as he said, " being very small, I got tired
and they brought me into St. Matthew's to
rest a while.'' As Pius IX. was born in
1792, this visit to Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour's Picture must have been about
1800, when there remained at St. Matthew's
only a couple of the Irish Friars, powerless
to stay the impending doom.
The Pope took the petition from the
hands of the Father General and silently
wrote on the back of it. Having finished
he read aloud what he had just written.
It was as follows : —
December nth, 1865.
The Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda will
make known to the Superior of the Com-
munity of S. Maria in Posterula, that it
is our will that the image of Mary Most
Holy, of which there is mention in this
ii8 ÁH niAiSTDeAn sIor-oaT^rao is feiae
1 mblixi-oAin A 1792 ni ]:utÁi|\ no cugAt) An
óuAifo feo AH ttlACfAriiAit Áf» ITlAig'oine Stofi-
óAti)|\Aó cimóeAlt A 1800 : niot^ pAii 1 5C1U
Saih ITIaiciu pÁ'n Ain foin aóc cúplA t)|AÁtA|i
ó Cifinn : Ajuf a f aií) 1 n-Ái|\ice nío|\ tt'i:éiT)i|i
leó A óofc.
"Oo CÓ5 An pÁpA An Acóuinge a iÁrhAiV) An
x)ktA|\ Coicóinn, if "oo fCjiit) Afi a "Ofuim jAn
pocAt Af. Agiif é Cjiíoónuigce "oo téig fé
ój^ ÁpT) A -pAit) f c|M't)ce Aije. Seo é :
ni) TiA no-oiAj II, 1865.
CmjApi-ó CAiifOineAl u5-OA]iÁif ppopASAiTOA 1 n-iúl
•00 UACCA|iÁn ÓumAinn Óille niuipe 1 bpofCApulA
gujiAb é Á]\ TniAn-riA 50 bpilLix) lorinÁis lilunie Uó-
tiAOtiicA, -00 luAT)CAji 'f^" At:cuiii5e feo, a]\ a liÁic
]?éiTi 1-01H Óill eoin if Cill riluipe fnoijie if 50 nibeix)
x>e jiiACCAtiAf &\\ UACCA^iÁn ÓumAinn Atl puAfCAlcójiA
íTlACfATriAil oipeAmriAC "oo cup 1 ti-a hioiiA-o.
— pio pp. IX.
ctiSAníi ctitnAnn SAC'óeAtAC Asmsctn
An tÍIACSATÍlAlt T)0 CUITIAlin ATI
pUASCAtUOUA
An nAotriAt) lÁ "oeAg "oe trii An GAnAiti, 1866,
If eA-ó "DO cÁinig beifc fAjA-pc "oe ÓuniAnn
An ■pUAfCAlCÓj^A .1. An CAtAIH mA|\Ctl1 AgUf
An cAtAiji tDi^eTpciAn 1 LÁtAij^ An PiiiAif 1
5C1II itluife .1. An cAtAi|V "OiAfAmuiT) 11a t3|AiAin,
óum 50 t)pA5Ai"oíf ó n-A tÁtriAit) An feóx) a
t>í UAtA Le fA-OA. 'O'pÁllCIS An Pf1A|\ If An
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 119
Petition, is to return to its place, between
St. John's and St. Mary Major's, with the
obligation on the Superior of the Redemp-
torists to substitute in its place a suitable
picture.
Pius PP. IX.
THE IRISH AUGUSTINIANS GIVE THE
PICTURE TO THE REDEMPTORISTS
It was on the 19th of January, 1866, that
two Redemptorists, Fathers Marchi and
Bresciani, presented themselves before the
Prior at Santa Maria in Posterula, Father
Jeremiah O'Brien to receive from his hands
the treasure so long desired. The Prior
and Community welcomed their visitors and
brought them immediately into the presence
of ths holy and venerable Picture.
The feelings of Father Marchi at that
moment may be imagined rather than
described. But soon the Picture was made
ready to be borne in triumph to what we
may call its old home on the Esquiline.
Parting with their dear and treasured
Picture cost the Augustinian Fathers at
Santa Maria in Posterula, no doubt, a
severe pang, still well might they rejoice
I20 Áu tiiAi$x)eAii síoii-ÓAXlJtí AC IS éiue
CutriAnti ivóinpA, Aguf tií5AX)A|^ 5A11 moitt iat)
1-p pufA niAócnxirii 'tiÁ cii-p fíof X)o •óéAHAni
Aí\ •pm^oincit) ^n AcAf 1"nA-|\clii Ati neóiriAC fAn.
Acc ní -pA-OA DíteAf A5 uttrtiugAt) tiA IIIac-
f AriilA cuni í \j\\e^t -pÁ Iduaitd 50 "ocí n-A fCAn-
ÁiC|\eAtl), niA|A A"oéA|\-pAi'óe, a]\ Ati GA-pcinlíTi.
gAn AtfinAf, 11Í 5An c^veigit) geAf "oo fCA|\
-AiCfAeACA /Asuifcíti CiLle Tlltiife 1 bpofCAftilA
le n-A illAc-pAiiiAil Aoiúmn riiof-UiAij ; aóc i
n-A •oiA'ó fAn níof liiifce tucgÁif ciAOit)e opcA
coifc 50 ii"oeAfnA"OA|\ a cofAinc 50 "oitif "oo'n
f AogAt 1 n-AiTToeoin 5AÓ At-puijce Aguf gtiAif e
■oÁp 15ei]i ofvtA le ceicfe céA"o bliA'óAn. 11á|a
■óein A nAitfeAóA ó éifinn í cofAinc le Imn
ÓfCAÓCA 1f AC-ptlljte tflÓllA ? Ajtlf CAT) A tií
Af\ flUtJAl ACA péin All lÁ f All, "OO l^élf CÓtTlA1|Ale
t)lOCA11\e CfíOfC ACC Ag feÓÍAt) a ITlACfAriUA
Aiinf A tAi\ n-Aif 50 T»cí An bAlt "oo cojAt) le 11-Á-p
1l1ÁtA1|^ Síof-CAb|\Ac 1 n-A cóiiiAifi i:éin leAC-
rhíle bliA"óAn nomiif fin if ó n-Aji ■oibjieA'o
iA"o-fAii Aguf ife le "OAoinib mAtlAigce ó
fOln. lA'O-fAII T)0 COfAin ATI ttlACfArilAll iÁ
11A X)íbeAfCA riAoriiAicifije. Iat) bA btm "oi^
bfíj fill leif An nibuAi'ó glónriiA-p ^o bí A5
■peiteAifi te n-A CAbAifc tAi[y n-Aif 50 "ocí An
Á1C "oífieAó rriAH a|\ óeAp IcpfCAnn fiof-btiAiX)
T)o beic Aige péin.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 121
that they had guarded it faithfully for the
world through the changes and perils of
four centuries. Had not their Irish Fathers
saved it in the days of revolution and ruin ?
And were not they themselves that day, at
the bidding of the Vicar of Christ, but
sending back their beloved Picture to the
very spot the Mother of Perpetual Succour
had chosen for herself centuries before, and
whence they as well as she had been driven
out by wicked ^men. It was they who had
saved the Picture in the day of sacrilegious
eviction, and, therefore, to them was mainly
due the glorious triumph that now awaited
its restoration in the very place where hell
had thought to have won a victory for ever !
Into the hands, then, of Father Marchi,
Father Jeremiah O'Brien consigned the
Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour,
and the Irish Friars said good-bye to the
beloved Madonna their Order had guarded
for close on four hundred years, and before
which, with the exception of thirty-nine
years, some of their own countrymen had
knelt since 1658.*
* Father Jeremiah O'Brien was born in the parish
of Callan, Co. Kilkenny. Three members of the family
joined the Augustinian Order, Jeremiah, Patrick and
122 An rtiAig-oeAri síou-óAbRAó is éine
Clt) Cf\Á, "DO OUI^A All cACA1t\ "OlAfmUIT) Ua
iDiMAiri niAC]MniAit Á]A niAig-Dine Sion-oAbyiAo
ifce^ó 1 tÁríiAit) An AtA|v tTlA-fictii, Aguf "o'pÁ^
T1A t)|AÁitíve ó éiiMtni flÁTi A5 An 1ÍlAi5T)in
lonrhuin 50 ntjeAfiiA a nónx) í óofAinc 50
ceAtin ceicfe céAX) éigin btiA"t)An if 50 inbíot)
cviTO T)e t^u11nn^1j^ a X)Z]\\e péin A5 AlcujAt) 1
n-A lÁCA1|t Ó GLlA'ÓAItl A 1658 AÓC ATflÁIII
pAIT) nAOI inbtlA'DATI "OeAg AH flÓIX) X)e
t)eÁ|\nAiTi.
An nAoriiA"ó iÁ "OéAj X)0 liií An GAnAiji, 1866,
X)'ofcLA"ó Af tÁn-leACAt) -Doiffe CloóAip Í^Ain
Atpon-pA 1 ineA|itilAnA. t)í An c.Acai|a íTlA]^ct^1
CA-fv éif piLtce ó CiLl lÍUntAe 1 bpofCAtMilA Leip
An itlACfArtiAil ÁpfA nAomcA, A^uf if mó
■pÁitce Dí foini An feóT) foin 'nÁ inA|; OeA-ó
|\oitti AifgeAT) 1]' ó|\ if cloí^A buAt)A nA miAnAó
A|\ pui-o An x)oniAin uile. Y\\o\^ b'péi-oiiA cufv
fíof CfMiinn "00 "óéAnAni a]\ lúcgÁifi nA buAijie
fin Aguf An lÍlACfAitiAil "DÁ mbAinc Af a
curiTOAC. *Oo óuAi-ó An cAcAi|t CoicóeAnn Ró-
u-p-pAmAo A^uf An CumAnn a\\ a njlúnAib "oo'n
óéAT) UAip cnnceAll nA mAij-oine beAnnuijce
•00 ptiAif CA'OAp ó T)iA mA]\ t)An-pAUfún HeArh-óA
"OÁ nÓpT) if "OÁ fAocA|\ AbfCAl-OA inLf, neAó
"oo bí le niolA'rt A|\ puiT) nA cpinrne mA]\ &0]\-
óAbAip An X)oiriAin.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 123
On the 19th of Januaiy, 1866, the Con-
vent doors of St. Alphonsus in Merulana
flew open wide. Father Marchi had re-
turned from S. ]Maria in Posterula, with
the holy and venerable Picture, a treasure
more welcome than the silver and gold
and precious stones of all the world's
mines. It would be impossible to describe
the joy of that hour as the Picture was
being unpacked, and for the first time
Most Rev. Father General and the Com-
munity knelt round the holy Madonna,
given them by God as the Heavenly
Patroness of the Congregation and all its
apostolic works, and to be preached to the
ends of the earth as the World's Perpetual
Succour.
Laurence. Fr. Jeremiah was appointed Prior of S.
Maria in Posterula soon after his ordination and re-
mained there for about fourteen years He returned
to Ireland in 1867 and became Prior of St. Augustine's,
Galvvay. He was in Galway for twelve years and was
known to all, and is lovingly remembered still there as
Father Darby. He was appointed Prior of Dungarvan
in 1879, where he died in 1893 He is buried in the
Augustinian Church on the Epistle side of the altar,
and a mural tablet marks his grave. May Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour pray for him and may he rest
in peace. Amen.
124 '-^'^ mvM$T>eAti síor-CaOiíac is éitie
CUgCAR An lilACSAITlAlt llAOIÍltA
ZMé snÁiDiO HA iiómA
"O'-pAii An lilACf AtiiAiV 'fA^^ CIo6a\\ ó'ti
Gaiia|\ 50 "oci An cAbfÁn. Annj^om 6\^^\\
tDiocAipe nA TloriiA .1. An CAi|\'oineAl pAri\Aifi
Invito Sacro AniAc 1 n-Aintn An pÁpA A5 inn^inc
■00 nniinncif nA IxóríiA 50 f aDca^ Cum IllACfA-
liiAil Á]^fA Á|\ lTlAi5"oine Siofi-CAlif ac "o'Acnoóc-
A'ó tÁic|\eAc 1 5CóniAin ti|\HAime An pobuiL 1
gCitt SAin At-pon]'A A]\ An 6AfCuiUn : ipÁ mA|\
óin]^ fé 1 5cuinine X)ó^V), t)í An ceAlt yo if An
cfeAn-fCfíín á\\ Aon tÁCAip. Ctnn An CAiiA-oinexNl.
t)iocAi-[\e niAjA Atcuinge cjioTóe o|\ca uile
UfVt\A1tr> •00 tAbA1|\C "OÁ tllÁtA1|t SÍ011-ÓAt)|\AÓ
AuiAit If inA|\ "óein a fínfeAfi. "O'lnnif fc
■óóit) 50 mbeA"ó ininAi^te bui-óeAóAif aja
fiubAt 50 ceAnn Cfí Ia .1. An 2'/fhAX) iÁ, An
28riiAT) lÁ if An 29riiA"ó lÁ "oe'n Ab-pÁn, gujAAb
é beAX) niAp jAifvm aca TnótA"óÁiL puiblToe 1e^y
An TÍlACfArhAit ct^ÁcnonA An 26rhA'ó iAe Agui'
gui^Ab é beA"ó niA^ cjm'c aca An 2gniA'ó lÁ
t)eAnnAóAt) nA SACpAimíne Uó-nAoiricA Ajuf
Ce "Oeum móf».
géilLeA'ó le "DíojiAAif "D'ACóuinge An Cai-|a-
■Dineii "DiocAife. Úofnuij An obAifV nAoriitA
An 26ttiAt) LÁ "o'AbiAÁn .1. lÁ péite SAin CteiceAó,
An cé "óein An téAX) óeAlt "oo toii\bipc x»o
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 125
THE HOLY PICTURE CARRIED THROUGH THE
STREETS OF ROME
The Picture remained in the Convent
from January until April, when the Vicar
of Rome, Cardinal Patrizzi, in the name of
His Holiness the Pope, issued an Invito
Sacro announcing to the Roman people the
glad tidings that the ancient Picture of
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was to be
restored immediately to public veneration
on the Esquiline Hill, in the Church of St.
Alphonsus, situated, he reminds them,
almost on the site of the ancient Shrine.
The Cardinal Vicar appealed earnestly and
eloquently to all to now emulate the devo-
tion of their forefathers to the Mother of
Perpetual Succour. He announced a solemn
Triduo of thanksgiving on the 27th, 28th
and 29th of April, to be inaugurated by a
public Procession with the Picture on the
afternoon of the 26th and ending on the
29th, with Benediction of the Most Blessed
Sacrament and a grand 7> Deuni.
The response to the Cardinal Vicar's
appeal was enthusiastic. On the 26th of
April, the Feast of St. Cletus, who dedicated
the first church to St. Matthew on the
126 An nuM$x)eAii s10R-óAt)nA6 is éme
IIIAIC1Ú riAoiíitA 'x'An GAfCinUn. UógAt) ITIac-
fxiriiAit Á-\\ tTlAi$-oine Síof-óAt)fAó ó CloóA-p
Saih AlpoiifA Agtif cugAt) Z]\é riA -pfATOit) i
'f ATI líióii'óÁii ; Aguf t)i ftuAigce mófA A5
gfeA'OA'í) bAf If A5 gAncgAit te cot^p lutg^ife
T Í ^5 5AGÁII CAf bfÁgATO. t)í fA5A1|\C If
CAtiótiAig If bfÁicfe 11A nOfVT) 50 líonitiAf 1
•ocof AÓ ; "oeooAin 1 n-éiT)e glé "oo bí A5 loinóuf
riA mACfAriilA fÁ n-A "Dion Átuinn, Ajtif bi
ieAiibAi'óe beA^A A5 fCAipeAt) úfbLÁc Af Ati
cflije fÁ óof Alb A ITIuife ttlÁCAi^. "Dí CAf bog
fÁ ríiioóc If "llAócAfÁin 11A nófo 1 n-A troiAit)
fAti A^vif fluAg móf fíféAn 1 Ti"oeifeAt) tia
tDÁtA. X)'^ bfACAóA If tneifsi-oe ifv C|\AobóA
5lAf A mAf niAif e Af riA ffÁit)ib if Af tiA cigtib,
bi mACAllA fATi Aef Ó oAncAD riA milce jut, Ó
pofCAib fuinneAriilA CA|\bAinéifn!)e An pÁpA,
Ó ceól binn buA"óA nA 5CI05 if nA ceAllAib.
t3'Áluinn An fÁilce é foitti Áf niAi$-oin Síof-
óAbf Aó If í A5 filleAt), mAf V)eA-ó bAinfíogAn ó
"óeóf Ai-óeAcc. Af A fíojAór p éin if Af a muinncif .
Uif eÁf "o Uó-uff AtriAó -oe lÁf a acá 1 n-A eAf boj
Anoif 1 n'Oún IHeA-oom ÓAfAnA, bí fé 1 n-A riiAC
léij;inn 'fAn Uóirii An cfÁt úx>. Oóc inbliA-ónA
"oéA^ ní bA "oiA-onAije -00 fCfíb fé niAf feo 1
n-A cAoib : " "Dí fí^ ■oe Á"ó oftn-fA 50 bfACA
An OOriTOAIl ^lÓfrilAf Ú"0. . . . RAt)AfC T)0
b'eAT) é nxS imceoóA-ó Af -oo Cuirime óoi"óóe.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 127
Esquiline, the celebrations began. The Pic-
ture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was
borne forth from the Convent of St.
Alphonsus and carried in procession through
the streets amidst the acclamations of
immense multitudes. Many priests and
canons and members of various Orders went
before ; deacons, in shining dalmatics,
carried the Picture under its splendid
canopy, while little children sprinkled fresh
flowers in the way before their Mother Mary's
feet. A mitred bishop followed close behind
with the Generals of Religious Orders, and
after them an immense multitude of the
faithful. The streets and houses were
decorated with banners and streamers and
green boughs, while the air resounded with
the music of thousands of voices, the
martial strains of the band of the Papal
Carabinieri and the joyous, silvery notes of
the church bells. It was a magnificent
welcome to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour,
coming back like an exiled queen to her
kingdom and her people. The present
Bishop of Middlesbrough in England, Most
Rev. Richard Lacey, was then a student in
Rome, and, writing eighteen years after,
says : "I was fortunate enough to witness
128 An niAig'oecVti síou-ócMdraó is éme
511ÁSCA A^us TnioRt)Ailci'óe
lli tin5i:eA|A 50 tó An t!)|iÁtA a\\ G-ponn Á|\
niAi5"oeAn Sío|A-CAt)|\Ac "oe j^ÁfCAit) a\\ a cl*Mnn
Le tiiiti tiA córiTúÁlA ]Mn if nA nl1|Muii'óce
Ufí Iá "oo leAti é. T)'i:onii peAláAf -oo tu\\ Ap
5IÓIH if Af lúc5Ái|\ TiA gceiteAOiAAT) ú"o, ní
1(^A^X) tiA iTiio|\t!)AilcTóe, péin, 1 n-eAftiAtii oj\tA.
AgUf ATI CéAT) ÓÓiri-ÓÁlL l3UAX)A AJ JA&Áll IIA
flige céA-otiA 1 mbliA-OAin a 1499 CAifbeAin
Ati lÍlAij-oeAii beAmuiigce a coiíiacc Ajuf a
í:fiócAi|\e, Aguf ■00 b'AriilAi'ó "oi Anoif. t)!
btiACAilt beAj 1 Ti-Aoi|' A ceitne mbliAX)Ati A5
pAgÁa t)Áif le piAliiAAf 5011 e Ajuf cinneAf
C|\eAtA. Asuf •^^" loriiÁig nAotiitA "óÁ b|\eit
CAfi An cij, fín niÁtAi|\ bi^ónAó An leinb t)|Aeoi"oce
ó'n bpuinneoig AniAc é, Aj;uf A-oiiDAipc : " A
ttlÁtAi]^ itiAit, "oein nio teAnt» X)0 leijeAf, no
AfA-ouis teAC é 50 ptAiteAf "Oé." An leAnb
"oo bí A5 "Dut cum t)Áif, feo A5 "out 1 bfCAbAf
é lAitjAeAC ; Agiif 1 gcionn cúplA lÁ cuAit) aii
triÁtAllA •ASVlf A leAnt) 1 lÁtA^]\ lÍlACfArillA
nA ITlAig-oine Síot\-cAt)t\Aó cum a mbuTóeAóA]^
■00 jAbÁit te n-A "OAn-CAjAAit) ó neAm.
t)í cAilín beAj 1 n-A tuije 1 -ocig eile Agur
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 129
the glorious procession ... it was a sight
never to be forgotten, and made a deep
impression on ni}' mind which time has not
obHterated."
GRACES AND MIRACLES
Only on the Day of Judgment will be
known what gr-aces Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour lavished upon her children in that
procession and during the Triduo which
followed. To add to the glory and joy of
the celebrations, even miracles were not
wanting. As in the first triumph along
those same ways in 1499 Our Lady showed
forth her power and mercy, so, too, now.
A little boy of four 3'ears was dying of
gastric fever and convulsions. As the sacred
Image was being carried past the house the
child's afflicted mother held forth the poor,
suffering creature at the open window, sajáng :
" O, good Mother, cure my child, or take
him with thee to Paradise!" The dying
child began immediately to grow better,
and after a few days mother and child
went before the Picture of Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour to thank their heavenly
Benefactress.
I30 ATI niAig-oe-Ati síok-óa1í)iia6 is eiue
An pA]\A'\U]- A5 gAliáiL "oi Ó V1Í fi óeiC|\e bli4"ótiA
"o'Aoif. "O'l^iAf An m&tA^\^ 'Doóc Leije^f An
teinti mA|A Attuinge A^^u]- An ^'\^AfCA\nA^l aj
"oul cAjAfCxi. lAicjAeAo botin "oo ó|Aom An
le^nb px3>|\xMlii'eAC a\\ a bAltA X)0 CfvocAt). cé
gup "ouA-o -OI é. t)'fin cofAó leií;ip. 1 jcionn
CAmAitU'n CU5 An nuvc<Mi\ An leAnb 50 Cui
ÓAin xM-ponfA. Cui]\ fi a\\ ajait) nA liÁt^t)-
aX.zó]\aó í niAji A ^Aib An l1lACf An'iAil 1 500^0111,
A5Uf ATmbAijAc : " Anoif , a ttlui|Ae iDeAnnuigte,
C|\io<;ni.ii5 A bpiiil cofnuigce ajac ! " tlioji
cúifce nA -pocAil Af a béAl 'nÁ An iCAnb A5
■piubtóTO A]\ A fUAimneAf, Ajuf lonjnAt) A-p
jaC a jAAib lÁicneAó "OÁ bApp.
U]\Ác móp uppAinie A^uy ■oiogpAipe "oo
b'eAt) cpÁc nA nllpnui'gce "oUpi Iá. t)i nA
fluAijre "OAOine A5 bpujAt) Ap a óéiLe ip ua
fpAiTub 5AC IÁ, Ajuf 5A6 oi"oce bi foilLfe
jLé A5 CAicneArii a^ nA njtib if A]\ nA ffAirnb.
If A]\ éigeAn A óeApAt) ■oinne lionniAife An
pobuil -00 bi Ag Cill Saui AlfonfA peA-ó nA
Tjrfi IÁ fo. CAip"Dineit, CAfbtng, ppéAtÁi"oe
Tie 5AC SfAt), An óléip fiAjAlCA if An óléifv
óoicCcAnn, tÁn5At)A|\ iiile óum An ío'óbAipc
tlAOttlCA "OO ÓeileAbpAt) 1 lÁCAIf nA mACfAttllA
nAoriicA. ConnACCA]^ fíféin Aj^jAbÁil c\n CAfCui
tin fUAf Ó 5AÓ Áifo "oe'n cacaija Aguf ó n-A
bALlAib bA fiA 1 gcéin, fém. t)i An CeAll LÁn
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 131
In another house was lying a Httle girl
of eight 3'ears, paralysed since she was
four years old. The poor mother implored
the child's cure as the Picture was pass-
ing by. Immediately the parah^sed child
began to move her limbs, though with
difficulty. There was- the beginning of a
cure. Soon after the mother brought the
child to the Church of St. Alphonsus,
and, placing her before the Altar upon
which the Picture was enthroned, she said :
" Now, O H0I3' Mary, finish what thou hast
begun ! " Scarcely were the words spoken
when her little daughter, to the amazement
of all, began to walk with perfect ease.
The Triduo was a time of wonderful
devotion and enthusiasm. Surging crowds
filled the streets by day, and at night the
houses and streets were illuminated. " One
could hardly conceive," says a Roman
paper, " how vast was the throng of people
at the Church of St. Alphonsus during those
three days. Cardinals, Bishops, Prelates of
every rank, the clergy, secular and regular,
came to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice before
the sacred Picture. The faithful were seen
ascending the Esquiline from all parts of
the city, even from the most distant quarters.
132 Áu niAi$T)eAn síOR-óAbRAó IS Cine
5AÓ neómAC ó ttiATOiii 50 hoit)óe, Ajuf X)^ rtA
^^^^or^A^X) 'pAÍOifi'oiTie if r\A |\Áile ComAoine
culcxM-gte te "DAOinit). "OuOAjAtxif 50 "ocÁinis
50,000 'ouine A|\ A lAijeAT) "oe 1 jcAiteAni n^
•oc-pí tÁ iTiA|\ onóifv "oo'ti 1ÍlACfAriiAil. "OAoine
bjieoToce, luóc pAf\Ailífe, mAiiAcítnj, 5AÓ
fAJAf OtA1|A 50 |AA1Ú AOn CA0111 A\]\ rUJAt) 1AT)
uite cum T1A Citte.
ÚÁinig mí t3eAtcAine ca|\ éi]" ha x)'C]\] 1_á fo
"oí-peAc, A5tif 'oeineA'ó a cAiteAn'i 1 bfui|\ni
fréil.e -pA-OA gAti IjeÁfAtiA 1 Ti-oiiói|\ tiA lllAig-oine
5tóiAmAi]\e. t)'é l)í mA|\ C|\íc aija feo Ufi^ouo
•potAttiAiirA eile óorii ■oúciaaócaó áLiiihti leif
An gcéAT) ceAnn.
ctigAnn pio iiono curas ar aii
tllxXCSAIÍlÁMl
"bponn ATI c-AcAij^ CoicceAnn An oeAT) fAttiAit
"oe'n lÍlACf AttiAiL TlAoifitA Af Á\\ nAtAi|V TlAorhCA
pio IX. Cui|A An pÁpA 1 n-A feómjiA péin 1
"ocof Aó í ; CAfi A éif fin cui|\ fé 1 n-A "uuij^tig
í, Aguf t)í An-u|\HAim Aige "Oi. CuaIaix) -pé 1
■ocAoit) nA gcoiTiAom n-iongAncAó "oo Bí X)Á
nT)éAnArh A5 Á|i tHAij-oin "DeAnnuijce A5 a
Scfiín nu At), A^uf -oviuahvc fé lÁ : " S, ní
putÁiii "Di comAoin "oo "óéAnAtfi T)o'n pÁpA
t)0cc ! " '^An Aon coinne teif C115 pio IX.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 133
From morning till evening the Church was
constantly full, the Confessionals and Com-
munion rails were crowded. It was calcu-
lated that at least 50,000 came during the
three da3's to honour the Picture. The
sick, the paralysed, the crippled, and all
sorts of poor afflicted people had themselves
carried to the Church.
The month of May inmiediately followed
the Triduo, and was celebrated as one long,
unbroken festival in honour of the glorious
Madonna, finishing with another solemn
Triduo, as splendid and enthusiastic as the
former.
PIG NONO VISITS THE PICTURE
Father General presented the Holy Father,
Pius IX., with the first copy of the Holy
Picture. The Pope had it placed first in his
own private chamber and afterwards in his
oratory, and his devotion to it was very
great. Hearing of the wonderful favours
that Our Lady was granting at her new
Shrine, he one day said : " Ah, she must
not refuse to succour the poor Pope ! "
Quite unexpectedly Pius IX. came on the
afternoon of the 5th of Ma}' to visit the
134 ^^'^ niAig-oeAn síor-caOiiac is éiiie
cut\Af Á]\ Ati t1l^\cf AríiAil tlxiorhcA CfVÁtiióriA An
óúigtfieAt) tAe "oe nil t)eAtCAine. ÓuAit) fé á\\
A jlútiAil!) 1 lÁCAip tiA ITlACfAtfitA -pÁ triAH
"óeiti fé Aguf é 1 11-A leAii5, cé gut^ t>óóa gufv
cuijAiMge 5i fé An caca fo. t)í fé Ag 5ui"óe
le "oíognAif ó|\oi'óe a|\ aJato tiA riALcófAó 50
ceAnn ciiplA neóniAC. Seo 1 n-Ái|\"oe Antifoin
é cuni An itlACfAitiAiL •do fCjAú'ougA'ó níof
5éi|\e. " Ó, nAó Áluinn í, nAc AUiinn ! " a\\
feifCAn, Ag gAiiAi-oe 50 géAi^-cúifeAó. " If
]:eA-fV]A lioin i 'nÁ An cfAniAil -oo tiigAif ■oom."
conoinnijAt) soIaiíiaiica iia
tllACSAtÍllA
tÁiCjxeAc bonn Oí tl]^l\A1nl nA TTlACfAriilA A5
leAtAt) 50 ITAIHfing A|\ pUTD CACfAÓ nA llÓtflA
Aguf tA|\ ceójAAin 1 "ocfeo 5u-|\ geAffv 50 i^aiO
CeAli ÓAin AtfonfA Ajt teA|\nionnAiú oift)i"0-
neAóA tllinfie. t)í "oe 6Áit A|a An fcpín feo 50
"oeiniin -oe X)A\\\y \mo\\X)Al A^^uy longAncA-p Aguf
tíoniiiAifie A lioilicpeAo gu^A mot CAibitJil An
"ÓÁCACAin "oo'n lorhÁig nAorhtA An onói|A "oo
b'Aoit\"oe "oAfi b'péi'oin leó a ^lAonnAt), Agiif a\\
An 5CiiniA fAn cuijAeAt) x'éAtA iÁn-trioLcA nA
tiGA^lAif e Af An uffVAitTi f eo "d'aja TTlAig-oin Sio|i-
caD|\ac. tD'é An onóin fin a cojAomiujA-u A5
CAibi"oit Cilie SAin peA-OAjA.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 135
Holy Picture, and knelt before the Picture
as he had done in the days of his childhood,
more weary now perhaps than then. He
pra3'ed most fervently before the Altar for
a few minutes and then ascended the steps
to examine the Picture more closely. " O
how beautiful, how beautiful ! " he said,
adding with a knowing smile : "I prefer it
to the copy you gave me."
THE SOLEMN CROWNING OF THE PICTURE
Devotion to the holy Picture began im-
mediately to spread far and wide through
the City of Rome and beyond its borders,
so that soon the Church of St. Alphonsus
became one of the most venerated of all
the favourite sanctuaries of Mary. So
remarkable, indeed, had the shrine become
for miracles and wonders and the multitude
of its pilgrims that the Vatican Chapter
decreed to confer upon the sacred Image
the highest honour in its power to bestow,
and thus put upon this devotion to Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour the seal of the Church's
fullest approbation. This was the honour
of Coronation by the Chapter of St. Peter's.
136 ÁVL mAigxjexxn síor-óaIjraó is éiiíc
Úu5 An CAi]\"ome<it "DiocAife cuifCAt) ■00
tfiuinnci|\ riA KoiiiA 1 n-Ainni An pÁpA turn
bAinc "DO tjeic aca teif An "oeininiujA'o nió|\
51\Á'óA fo "oo'n TÍlAig'oin. " A "RóttiÁn aóa,"
A|\ i^eifCAn, " t)t,iAt)Ain ó foin 'o'iA|\]\AmAif\
ofAiD ufjiAini t)o CAl!)Ai|\c "o'loniAig ÁpfA
niiont)Ailci5 Á-t^ niAij'oine Sío|\-óAt)|\Ac. An
CfiÁt fAn bA nnAn lit) iiile bA■|\|^ no V)]\e^t ó
céiie le 5i\Á"ó "oo TllÁtAii\ "Oé. 0 foin 1 leit
CÁ 5fÁfCA -pó leit pAgCA AjAib "oe V)x\\\\\ a
]:éile cnócAijMge. 1 gcionn cúplA 1Á beit)
cojioiniugA-o nA ITlAig-oine tTlioiAbAitcige Af\
fiubAt. tDí tÁitfeAó Afiíf mAf\ foin, bíot) An
fpiO]\A1"0 Cl\ÁlbceAÓ "OÚCtAACCAC CéA"OnA AJAlb,
A^v]" cuiiAi-o bu|\ gcion if bu|\ n-ti|i|\Aim 1
gcéitt. UAifbeAnATD -00 n-A mbeit) ne 'pi|\éAn-
Aib ci^uinmgce 'f^" "Róini ó ceit|\e Á|i"OAib nA
ctMJinne a "óílfe if rÁ fib t)o'n ttlAij-oin.
T)éAni:Ai'ó An 'oeAg-fomplA uAfAl fo iat) "oo
g|\íofugA"ó, Aguf "oéAn):Ai'ó fiAt) Aon buTóin
lib Ag cuf niAjA Accuinge A\\ llTtii^\e uriiAl An
Uóim A^uf An GAglAif TlAomtA "oo 'óí'oeAn."
An UA1t\ UT) "DÍfeAC bí ©AfbUlg 1f fAgAljtC ó
5A6 Ájfo "oe'n t)oriiAn cfuinnigte 'yAr\ Tloirh 1
^cuitnne lÍlAifcífeAccA peA-oAip if póil oóc
5CéA"o "oéAg btiAt)An "oÁ éi]\ A]\ An A"obAji
foin bí "oe ppibteit) A5 nió]\Án coi^Cfvíoó An
■oeAfjnÁc "oo bAin le CojAoinnijAt) nA
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 137
The Cardinal Vicar in the name of the
Pope invited the people of Rome to take
part in this grand demonstration of love
towards the Madonna. " Romans ! " he
said, " a year since, we called upon you to
show veneration towards the ancient and
miraculous Image of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour. On that occasion you were eager
to surpass each other in affection for the
Mother of God. Since then you have
received of hei^ compassionate bounty very
special graces. In a few days the solemn
crowning of the miraculous Virgin will take
place. Approach then once more with the
same spirit of religious fervour and testify
your love and veneration. Show all the
Faithful assembled in Rome from all the
quarters of the globe how attached you are
to the Madonna. This noble example wiU
edify them, and they will unite with you
in beseeching Mary to deign to protect
Rome and the Holy Church."
Just then Bishops and priests from all
parts of the world had come to Rome for
the Eighteenth Centenary of the Martyr-
dom of SS. Peter and Paul, and thus many
strangers were privileged to witness the
grand ceremony of the Coronation of the
138 All nuMg-oeAii síoii-óAbiiAó is éitio
ITlACf^mLA "D'peicfinc mA\\ Aon leif An ui\]\Aiin
longxMiCAó T)o t)Aiii leif. "O'filL ha ViGAfbui^
oi|\t)i'oneA6A 1]^ riA fAgAipc yo A|\ a X)Z\o]\tA\X)
■DÚCCAlf AgUf eÓlAf ACA A]\ All lIlACfAltlAU
tiAoriiCA tnA]A Aoti te beAniiAcc Á\\ Y\^A^%x)\1^e
Sío|\-óa5|iac 1 "DCjAeo 5U|^ lortTóA ■ouine aca
T)o cuif mA]\ cti|\Atn ai|a -péin pÁiLce "oo oup
I\oinipe 1 n-A t)]:Aincil) if 1 n-A bpAjióifcít)
péin.
All Cí\íoriiAt) lÁ ficeAt) "oe itleiceAni, 1867,
.1. An "OotiinAo noitri lo IpéiLe ÓAin Goin t)Atfce,
If eAt) 'oenieAX) An lilACfAtriAil, "oo cu]\ fÁ
Co|\óin. Ua|\ éif ÁfVD-Aifi\inn 1 lÁCAip eAfbog
■00 "oeni Á|\'OAtAHA CAt\iAt CorifCAincín .1.
'OéAn CAibiT)iL ÁffA An t)ÁCACAin Ue "Deum
f otAtriAncA "OO óAnAt). "Oein fe "oeAfjAlJÁiL nA
hAtcóttAc Annfoin. l3í ■ÓÁ Cofóin oija 1 n-A
LÁríiAitD Aige Aguf 1AT) bfeACCA le cloóAib
buA-óA. Óui|\ fé An óéAt) cofóm aja ceAnn An
teinb íofA Aguf An x>A]\a cofóin a\\ ceAnn nA
tTlÁCAf Oige. Annfoin if eAti óuAlACAf óorfi
triAic le fUAim An Ce 'Oeiim folAniAncA ceól
nA 5CI05 A]\ fUAiX) nA cACivAC, foC|\oni nA
gCAnnón iÁitiAccA Aguf 5ló]\ lúcgÁiiieAó nA
flóg A5 molA"ó glóiiie "oo'n tÍlAi5X)in ríiioi\bAiL-
CI5 .1. Á|\ mÁCA1|V SíO|\-6Ab|\AC.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 139
Picture, and the wonderful display of
devotion that accompanied it. These
venerable Bishops and priests returned to
their own Lands with a knowledge of the
Holy Picture and the blessing of Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour, many of them to
prepare a welcome for her in their own
dioceses and parishes.
The Crowning of the Picture took place
on June 23, 1867 (the Sunday before the
Feast of St. ^ John the Baptist). After
Pontificial Mass the Patriarch of Constanti-
nople, Dean of the venerable Vatican
Chapter, intoned a solemn Te Deum, and,
bearing in his hands two gold crowns
studded with precious stones, ascended the
Altar steps and placed the first diadem on
the head of the Infant Jesus, and with the
other crowned the head of the Virgin
Mother. To the sound of the grand Te
Deum were added the music of the bells of
the city, the booming of cannon and the
voices ot the multitudes of people acclaiming
the glories of the miraculous Madonna, Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour.
140 ÁH niAig'oeAn síor-CaOuaó is éine
unnAini "o'^ii tnAi5"oin sion-CAtDUAC
teAtCA An i:i1A1T) ATI DOlilAIll
All lilACf AtiiAit riAotricA "oo t)i pó i'CÁc b'é
coit "Oé í nooCAt) A^if 1 5CóriiAi|i u|^|\A11ne An
pobuiL. 0 foin 1 teic zÁ oifeAt) fAn m1ot^DAl
éAóCAó If St^Áf 10115A11CAÓ AjAinn 'OÁ \)A]\]\ 50
Úpuil U|\|\Aim *Oo'l1 lilAlj-Om SíO|\-ÓAl3-pAÓ teACCA
1 tneAfc C|\iofcuiT)ce An "oottiAin 1 gcAiceAiri
beAjÁn bliA'óAn. UÁ fCAi]\ nnAt) nA mACfAtiilA
nAoriitA AgAinn 1 jcCiplA line '1CA^^ flioóc
jeA-p-p fo Af An bpojACúf le Linn péile nA
lTlAi5"Dine Sío|\-CAb|\Aó.
An cf lije niA|\ f CAipeAt) lomÁig Áf 1TlAi5T)ine
SÍ0]\-CAb|\AC If niAf LeACAt) uffAini "oi, if jeAtl
le miofbAil é. teAc-CeAX) bliA-óAn ó foin if
fÁ n-A bun bi An TtlACf AitiAil f ó f cÁc Aguf gAn
eólAf iii]\te ; in"oiu, cÁ eólAf uifce A^uf cÁ
uffAitn Aguf SfÁ-ó "oi If nA ciofCAib uile 50
bimcAllAib An "ootriAin Aguf 1 n-oileÁnAib
iTiAf A If fAiffge inóife. UimceAll "oa riiile 50
leit "oeAlb Af A-oniAT) 'óAicce acá fCAipce Af
ftiix) An "OoriiAin AffA if An "OorhAin tluAit)*
A^tif SéAlA AcAf Coicómn Ró iiff AniAig
* 3732 ^^ inriiif ACÁ A]\ Ati lilACfAtiiAil n' Á]\ mAis-om
Siof-CAbf AC -oo cmfeAT) fUAf 1 5C1LI "Of oicit) le -oiax)-
IIAlje' CÁ fi Af HA tnACfATTllAlt) 1f ■OlA'ÓtlAlje 'OAf
cvnfeA-ó ATTiAC o'li Tíóiiii 1 mbliA"ónA .1. 1913.
J
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 141
WORLD-WIDE SPREAD OF DEVOTION TO OUR
LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR
" Since the time that the holy Picture
was, by the special Providence of God,
recovered from oblivion and restored once
more to public veneration, it has been
famous for such numerous and striking
miracles and marvels of grace, that within
the space of only a few years the devotion
to the Madonna of Perpetual Succour has
spread throughout the entire Christian
world." This short extract from the Office
of the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour gives us in a few lines the recent
history of the sacred Picture.
The spread of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour's Image, as well as the propagation
of devotion to her, have been almost miracu-
lous. Less than fifty years ago the Picture
was hidden and unknown, to-day it is known
and reverenced and loved in all Lands,
even to the very ends of the earth and in
the islands of the seas and oceans. More
than 3,700 copies painted on wood like the
original and sealed as authentic by the
Most Rev. Father General of the Redemp-
torist Congregation have been distributed
142 ÁU nU\lg"OCA11 SlOR-CAOt? AC IS CMUe
Cutn^inn An piu\fCALcó|AA \r\A]\ u5'OA|\Áf a\\ Ati
tiile óeAnn aca. ScAipe^t) 1 r\-Á jceACóiV) a\\
piiiT) A11 "oonuMn le litin ua mbliA"óAn fo nA
miLleoin "oe fAmlAiO a\\ pÁipéAn ^■o^\ tJeAg if
móf Agtif TiA milleoni ■outiA "oe IJonnAiti 1
■oc^ieo tiAó mifue 'ói'iitin a ói\ei"oeAniAiiir -^\.\\\
beA5 líon cige CAicLiceAc jAn eólAf aca A\y
lotriÁig ttiio|il5Aiiag Á|\ tnAi-grJine SÍoí\-6aIí|aaó
Ajvif nió|\-fuim inre AtiiAil if "OA inbA í An
tÍlACfAlÍIAll 11" AIITIfA AJUf If CAICTieAlll Alje le
pAgÁit "oe'ii 1ÍlAi5T)in "DeAniniigce. 11í VteAX)
A11 l1lACfAniAil buriA'ófAÓ 1 5C1II SAin AtironfA
'^An "Róirh Ap leitlij 50 mbAineAnn cotiiAóc
rtiiofbAt téi : if AtfilAit) ■o'u|miioii iia fAiiiAl
n-uj-OAnÁf AC, Ajuf if leiji fo Af A bptiil -oe
bjAoncAnAifíb mói"oe A5 niAifuigAt) fcnínce á^a
tTlAig-oine Sío|^-óAbnA6 1 n^Ac Á]\X) "oe'ti "ooríiAti.
iDiiAit) riAó gnÁc é feo Aguf ní tnifce a ÁiiieAni,
ói|i bAiiieAnti móf-liiAó i-p fólÁf leif óom
iTiAit; le n-A beit neAtri-gnÁtAC. 1p rriAiú ip
eól "oúinti, teif, guji ioiitóa coniAoni ip 5fÁf
míojvbAitceAC A bfotincAp "oe bA|A|\ tia f ahumIí -
i-óe pÁipéin if riA mboTin.
Vlí góbA-ó A fvÁt) 511^1 ri\éAn acá tDiocAine
CfíofC A5 5|\íofU5A-ó uiA|^Aime X)'á\\ niAij-oin
SíoiA-óAbfVAC if "OÁ TllACfAriiAil riiio|AbAilci5 le
pÁbjiAib Ái]Mte if le logAt). "De V)A]\\\ RiajIa
•oÁf\ ccApA-ó le pio IX. bíonii péite folAtíiAnrA
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 143
throughout the Old and the New World.
Millions of paper prints, large and small,
and millions upon millions of medals have
been all these j^ears literally showered upon
the world, so that we can well believe there
are few Catholic families where the miracu-
lous Image of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour is not now known and treasured
as the most loved and favourite Picture of
the Blessed Virgin. By a singular privilege,
which may be noted, for it is as precious
and consoling as it is rare, it is not only the
original Picture in St. Alphonsus' Church
in Rome, that is miraculous, but the greater
number of authentic copies are also miracu-
lous, as may be seen from the numerous
votive offerings that adorn the shrines of
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in all parts
of the world. It is well known that even
the little paper pictures and the medals
have been the instruments of countless
miraculous favours and graces.
Needless to say, the Vicar of Christ has
most strongly encouraged devotion to Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour and her miracu-
lous Picture by special favours and indul-
gences. By a Decree of Pius IX. the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
144 -*-^'^ tiu\i5"oeAii síoi^-óaOiiaC is éme
If C|\Át^ii\eACc p^Á leic If sr\ cAiffeAnti iiAotritA
A]\ fiulDAt x.\3 CuniATin An puAfCAtcófA Hó-
nAomtA niAH óuitfinnijAt) citin bliA"ónA Afv
Cofóinni5A"ó riA UlACfAnitA.
An CumAnti b|\Áit|\eACAif 'oo cuifeA-ó A|\
bun 1 inbliAt)Ain a 1871 tug pio IX. corhAóc if
buA*óA Á|A"oóumAinn x>ó 1 mbtiA-oAin a 1876
fii togAijini Áf tnAij-oine Síot^-óAbfVAó if SAin
/AlponfA, Agiif b'é Ainm An I^ÁpA nAoriicA féin
An óéAt) Ainm 'oo cuineAt) fiof 1 |\oIIa An
CumAinn. Ú015 fé AtA\\\. CoicóeAnn CtimAinn
An IptlAfCAlCOf A iriAjl fiOf-tlAOCAjAAn A|\ An
^ji'o-óuniAnn. If é cÁ niAf "UAccAjiAn Afv An
Áfo-óutriAnn in'oni A^uf cofAinc Á\\X) ti5"OA|\-
ÁfAó nA TTlACfAtfilA iriAn óúfAm a^\ 'fAn Ixoirii
■otnne ó r\-Ái(\ "ocíix "oil féin .1. pÁ"0|\Ai5
Ró-u|\|\AmAó "Ua nUiifeA'óAig tlAócAiAÁn Coic-
óeAnn Agiif Án"o-ReAóCAife CutnAinn An
puAfCAtcó|iA Tló-nAorhcA. xX-p An gctimA fo
Aguf A|i flijcib 50 teóp eile léifijceAii An
bAinc AcA A5 " Á]i inAi5t)in Síoi^-óAbHAó le
ti6ifinn."
AR txSinig SAíÍllA IIA tllACSAlillA
riAoriitA 50 néiRinn 1 n-AllOT) ?
íIaó Af -OAlCAib Á]\ rnAig-oine Siop-oAb^Ao 1
néifinn "oo beAt) An c-ÁcAf x>Á bféAT)f Ai"óe
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 145
commemorates the anniversary of the
Coronation of the Picture by the celebra-
tion of a solemn Feast with special Office
and Mass.
The Confraternity estabhshed in 1871 was
raised to the rank and privileges of an Arch-
confraternity by Pius IX. in 1876, under
the invocation of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour and St. Alphonsus, and the saintly
Pope had himself enrolled as the first member
of the Confraternity. He appointed the
Father General of the Redemptorists to be
perpetual Director of the Archconfraternity.
To-day the Director of the Archconfraternity
of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and the
official and supreme guardian of her Picture
in Rome, is a child of our own dear land,
the Most Rev. Patrick Murray, Superior
General and Rector Major of the Congre-
gation of the ]\Iost Holy Redeemer. In
this, as in many other ways, is shown the
union existing still between " Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour and Ireland."
DID COPIES OF THE HOLY PICTURE COME TO
IRELAND IN THE OLDEN DAYS ?
What a joy to the clients of Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour in Ireland if more light
146 ÁR niAij'oeAii síon-óAt!)RAó is éiue
fCAif T1A 'hAiinfife feo uile "do tioóc<\'ó níof
nió -péAóAinc aii U-pAjpAi-oe 1 me-Afc nunnTirifve
iiv.\ Ti6ine<Min coif bAile cóniAjiCA éijin "OÁ
lAije é "oe'ii ui\|AAim X)'á]\ niAij'oin "DeAmungce
■pÁ cei'oeAt tu\ Síoi\-CAl5|\Aó ! Wo\\ eijMg linn
Aoti |\u\ii "oe'n iii\nAitii feo Tj'fAgÁil nÁ Aoti
rA5Ai|\c "oo'ii TÍU\c]MnuMt. go "oeinini tteA'ó
fé btin Of C101111 AjAitin fiiit "oo beit le 11-A
leicéit) b^ieif if x>Á óéAX) bliAt^An ó foin.
Ciini An ti|\jiAim "oo piiéAriuigA'ó tiíop mó]\
fAtíllA "Oe'n lÍlACf ArilAlL "OO fCAipeAt), Agtlf
mó|i-mói\ tii óló'ólniAilri'óe fAriilA fAO|\A, 5A11
bAC le JjMAnJHApAt), ATI CpÁt lÍT). If Af
éigeAn A tAjAt) le n-Afi -pirfeAi^ Ati cAipt^eAnn
1f IIA pATDfitlTOe t)0 beiC ACA " AimfCAf IIT)
All ■oofCA'OAif ^5Uf An mlc." An pAix» if bi
"Dill ACA Ap An AiffCAnn if a\\ An jCojióin
liliii|\e, nioruijeA'OAf 50 f Aib a " Sio^A-CAbAif "
loncA. "^A-n Aon AnifAf "oo tfiúin Á\\ SAjAifC
If Áf nit)fÁic|\e An méi"o feo "o'á "ocfeA-oAib
céAfUA fCAipte .1. 50 fAib "oe buAit) Ag ah
AiffeAnn if A5 An jCofóin llltiife, Ag íofA
CfíOfC If A5 A lÍlÁtAljl " CAbAlf "DO CAbAlfC
"oóib fo "OO n'leAtlcAi'oe." — Heb. ii. 18.
inAit)if te fCAif, pé ACA pféAtriuij t)fÁicfe
Ajuii^cin nA béifeAnn iiffAiin "o'Áf lTlAig"oin
Síoi\-cAbfAó 1 nCifinn no a iriAlAifc if CfUAj
nAó féi'Oif fAn a fit). Af Ainifig f<MnAn
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 147
could be thrown on all this period, to find,
perchance, some trace, no matter how faint,
of devotion amongst our people in Ireland
to Our Lady under the title of Perpetual
Succour ! We have found no trace of this
devotion nor any mention of the Picture.
Indeed, it would be unreasonable to expect
so much over 200 years ago. The pro-
pagation of the devotion would need the
spread of copies of the Picture, and there
was besides no cheap printing of pictures,
much less photographs, in those days.
Our poor people could barely have the
Mass and the Rosary Beads, not to speak
of pious pictures, in " those dark and evil
da^-s." In so far as they had the Mass
and the Rosary they found in them their
" perpetual succour." This certainly our
Priests and Friars did teach their poor,
persecuted and scattered flocks — that the
Mass and the Rosary, Christ and His
Mother, were " able to succour them that
were tempted." — Heb. ii., 18.
Whether or not, as a matter of historical
fact, the Irish Augustinian Friars propa-
gated in Ireland devotion to Our Lad}-
of Perpetual Succour it is impossible to
sa\-. Did a copy of the Picture find its
148 Áxi rtiAi^'oevAn síou-óaI'juaó is éiue
■oe'n itlACf AitiAil- ci|A riA liéit\eAiin 1 n-AlloT» ?
A^ CU5 r\A •oeó|\Ai'óce fAtrtlA ■oe'n ttlACfArhAil
niíotiOAitcig leó AttAile Aguf ia"o A5 ■pilteA'ó 1
mbtiAt)Ain A 1661 ? 1"Oi|\ An t)tiAt)Ain fin Ajuf
t)tiAT)Ain A 1700 \j\ córhnui-óe 1 ^Citt Saih
tTlAiciú A|A "í')onnóA'ó Oi|\t)it)neAó A íua-óa-ó
óeAriA, Aguf if lonróA uai^; ati ÓU115 5AÓ tÁ if
5AÓ oi"óce "oo óAiteAt) fé 1 tÁCAi|\ a itlAij-oine
AnnfA. ^\\ óiii|\ feifeAti fAiriAil 'oe'n ttlAC-
fAtriAit nió|A-ólii óum 5AÓ c1.ocai)\ "oá -pAit) A5
A ÓjAT) 1 néininn triAf» fólÁf "ooib fo "oo ttí A5
pvit,Ain5 1 n-A tAlAfh "oúcóAif ? 0 DliAt)Ain
A 1739 50 'orí 5Ufv cujA-o fCAipeAt) A|i CiimAiin
SAin niAiciO T)ei6 mbLiA'ónA if C|aí piciT) ní bA
"oiA-oTiAige V)í CAi"oneAtfi 5A11 fCAonAt) 11 AC mc)]i
A5 eifinn te CollÁifce Saiti mAiciú A^uf
Aitj^eAóA 1-p mic léiginn A5 rAifceAl Anonn if
AHAtL. AjA cugA-OAp fíi-o teó 50 riéiiMnn
fAttiAit -oe'ri TTlACf AiriAiL ? CeAfCA iat) fo uile
50 mbAineATin bfíg Leó ^An Arh|\A]^, aóc ii'"
•oeocAif, mÁ'f péTOip 1 n-Aon (:o\\, lAt) "oo
lAéi-óceAóc Anoif.
Ajuf 1 n-A ■ó^A'ó fAn, mÁ "oeineAm mACcnAiri,
■DAjA iTOóij bA nATJuiicA 1]" bA oi]AeAtrinAC An
IMiT) uAtA fAríiLA ne'n íllACfAtfiAil -oo óu|\ no
■oo tAbAi^AC leó AbAile 50 béininn. 'OeineA'ó
nA fArfilA 5An Aon Am|\Af. An uai|\ ]:iiai|\
AitfeAóA CutiiAinn An Puai^caIcoiaa feilb An
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 149
way into Ireland in the olden days ? Did
the returning exiles bring home copies of
the miraculous Picture in 1661 ? Between
that year and the year 1700 the Venerable
Donogh lived at St. Matthew's, spending
many hours day and night before his
beloved Madonna — did he have a copy
of the famous Picture sent to the Convents
of his Order at home for the consolation of
his suffering countr3'men ? From 1739 till
the dispersion of St. Matthew's Community,
seventy years later, there was almost con-
stant intercourse, and Fathers and students
coming and going, between Ireland and their
College of St. Matthew -and did they carry
a copy of the Picture into Ireland ? All
these are, of course, most interesting ques-
tions, but difficult, if not now impossible,
to solve.
Yet, when we consider it, is it not only
natural and reasonable to expect that the
Irish Friars did send or bring copies of their
Picture home to Ireland ? Copies were
certainly made. When the Redemptorist
Fathers got possession of the property on
the Esquiline and the ruins of old St.
Matthew's, they found painted on one of
the ruined walls the image of Our Lady of
I50 All mAi5"oeAn síor-óaIíraó is éiRe
ceApniomn a\^ Ar\ eAfcuiUn .Ajuf trocjXAij
SeAti-óille SAin tTlAiciú •o'^imfijeA'OAn lotíiÁij;
Á]\ llUMj-oine Síoh-6aIíi\aC cAj^itAigce AtnAC le
•OACujAt) A\\ óeArm "oe iia feAn-f aIIaÍI!). Agui^
ní tieA-O AtílÁin 50 ITOeAJMIAt) fAttllA ACC IMAjAAt)
1AX). Illo i:iAt)tuiife Ai|\ fin Iicija ó ÓApuifín 1
SiOjAA 1 TiOi|\teA|\ 'oottiAin cum a tlACCA|\Áin
'fAti Róitti A5 5At»Áit buit)eACAif "oe V)A\\\\
f AffiAl, If bomi Á]\ IllAijiDine Síof-óAbfAc 'oÁn
cuifeA-ó cuije if A5 cajaijac X)o " ■óuine x>'á\\
nx)eA5-cÁij\"oilí) "OAjUAb Ainm SeAnbéi^ 50 bpuiL 1
11-A feilV) iiiACfAniAil Af nóf aii ómn acá 'f^"
"Róim Aóc A beic beAgÁn níof U15A. ÚÁinij An
niACfArhAil feo óuige fiú"o Cfé n-A niÁCAif ó
n-A feAn-ACAif, "OA-tAAb Ainm SeAnbéiji, teif,
lo'OÁiLeAÍC A puAif feiLb nA niACfAriilA, ní
fulÁifi, foitfi xXcfMijA-o nióf» nA PnAinnce, A^uf
An tÍlAij-oeAn fÁ féiiTi 'fAn Ixóitfi." Annfoin
"oo teAn An cAcAif tlf |\AniAc X)'á f céAl 1 "ocAoib
eAX)Aí\5AbÁl.A iniofbAiLnge Áf niAi5T)ine Sío|^-
CAbfAC cum AnAm a fCAn-ACAf "oo óofAinc
Aguf onói]A if óige A mjine, ói]\ bí "oe "oACAni-
iAcc A5 bAinc léi guf cug "ouine x>e pÁifíb
Á]\X)A nA "oUuixcAc pÁ nxteAf A % A5Uf bA ConcA-
bAfCAC An nit) "Oi é.
An TtlACfAmAil feo "00 cuja-ó ó'n lotiAiL 50
Cacaiji ConfCAincín leif An lo'OÁileAó SeAn-
béit^, "DeimnuigAX) í iiac féiT)if a fÁtvugAt) 50
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 151
Perpetual Succour. And not only were
copies made, but copies were distributed.
As proof of this we have a letter from a
Capuchin Fathi^r at Sira in the East to his
Superior in Rome, in which, after thanking
him for the pictures and medals of Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour sent to him, he speaks
of " one of our good friends, Janvier by
name, who has in his possession a picture
just like the one in Rome, but somewhat
smaller. This picture came to him through
his mother from his grandfather, also
named Janvier, an Italian, who must have
come into possession of it when, previous
to the French Revolution, the Madonna was
so famous at Rome." The Father then
goes on to relate the miraculous intervention
of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour to save
the grandfather's life, and the honour and
virtue of his daughter, whose remarkable
beauty had attracted the dangerous atten-
tions of one of the highest Turkish Pashas.
This picture, brought from Italy to Con-
stantinople by Janvier, the Italian, proves
beyond doubt that copies of the famous
Picture were made and distributed while
the original was still in St. Matthew's on
the Esquiline. Time, therefore, may yet
152 An mcMg-oeAii síou-ú a^raó is éinc
ntDeAjMiA-ó i^tiilA "oe'ii lilACfAniAil niói\-clú if
X,U\\ |\1A|\A"Ó 1AT) AJUf All itlACfAniAlL Vutll At)f At*-
1 5C1IÍ ÉAin ITlAiciú Ají Ati ©Afcinlín. A\\ An
A'ót)A|\ foin ní mói'oe 'iiÁ 50 n'oéAnpAt) An
AimfeAjA póf feAiifAiiiAit éijin "oe lÍlACfAiíiAil
Áfv TIlAig'oine Síoi\-óaIj|\ac x>o noccAt) 1 n^i^mn
If "OO ÚAff AC AníOf, b'fél"D1-fl, AY ÍOÓCAf leAlJAf-
l,An iÁn "oe fniuix) no Af cniiAfAóc éigin
feAn-fAtfiAt nÁ]\ bACAt) leó if nÁ|\ cuinimjeA'ó
o]ytA te i(:ax>a, fA"OA. UÁim •oeniinijce 50
n'oéAffAit) ■oAlcATóe Áf niAig-oine bcAnnuigce
teó féin 50 t)fuit fé T>e "óviAlgAf cfOToe oftA
beit Af tofs 5AÓ nTóe "oo óAGfóóAt) 1 n-Aon
Cflije cum l.éifitigA'D "oo "óéAnAn'i Af fCAi|\ Áfi
íllAij'oine Síof-óAbfAó ^gtif eifCAnn An c|\Ác
fA*oó 50 -pAií) CeAlt SAin TnAicni Ajuf nA
"biAÁitfe ó éifiinn fÁ féim.
URRAIIll "DO'll lÍlACSAIÍIAi A'S leAtAX)
IS iiA cíontAit) SO nít)A •óiA'ónAiSe
Pllimíf Af fCAIf "D1At)nAC nA mACfAnUA
Agtif Af An 5CA01 niA]\ A bfinl unfAim "oi A5
teAtA"Ó. piO IX. pÁpA 1f CAT) "OO fHAIjA An
ÓéAT) fAniAlt nj-DAfAf AÓ "Oe'n ttlACf ArilAlt AJllf ,
inc\f A-oiilipAt) CCAnA, t)í cion a c|\oi'óe Aije
infte. CiiifeAt) An "OAfA fAtiiAil ó'n llónii fó
lAim Aguf fó féAtA AtA\\, Coircinn CvimAinn
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR ijj
disclose in Ireland some old copy of the
Picture of Our Lad}' of Perpetual Succour
resurrected from the dusty depths of some
library or neglected and forgotten picture
collection. The clients of Our Lady will,
we are sure, consider it a duty of love to be
on the look-out for whate\'er may help in
an}- way to illustrate the history of "Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour and Ireland in
the olden days of St. Matthew's and the
Irish Friars.
SPREAD OF DEVOTION TO THE PICTURE IN
THESE COUNTRIES IN LATER TIMES
But to return to the modern history of
the Picture and the spread of devotion to-
wards it. Pope Pius IX. received the first
authentic copy of the Picture, and, as has
been said, had a very tender love for it.
The second copy blessed by the Pope, as
are all the authentic copies, was sent by
the Father General to the Redemptorist
Fathers at Bishop Eton, near Liverpool
(June, 1866), as the}- had generously
offered to make full compensation to
the little Irish community in Santa Maria
in Posterula for the loss of the Picture.
154 ^^'^ mAi5"oev\ti síou-CAtttívVC is éme
All JTuAi'CAlcónA 1]" yó lieAntiAcc ah pÁpA — -pÁ
mA]\ cu^]\^e-^]\ jac fAiiiAiL i.i5'OA|\Áf ac ó'n
llóirii — 50 -oci AiCfCACA CumAinn ah puA]'-
CAlcó|\A 1 mAinifcui GAfboig Cacaiti 1 n-Aice
liOeA^Apuii mi ineicm'i 1866 ; ó^\ t,eAllAX>A]\
fúx) 50 jrlAiceAriiAil 50 T)CAtiAiApAi'oif lÁn-
"oiogAlcA]^ A]\ you 11A ITlACfAmLA "oo'ti CuiiiAnn
5eA5 5'^6t)eAlAc 1 5C1LI l1Uii|Ae 1 bpofCAfvulA.
CuipeAt) An rfAiiiAit fin of cionn nA íiaIcó|\ac
'fAn •óúi|vti5 pfiol')ÁiX)eAc. 1 mbliA-óAin a 1869
f olÁCfuigeAt) fAn'iAil eiLe 1 jconiAif ciLle An
pobuit nióif. X)a geAff 50 fAib Scfin Á|\
1TlAi5T)ine Siof-CAbfAC 1 n-A cobAf ^]\sy Ajiuf
coniAom A5 CAiclicib nA ■oúCAije fin Aj^iif aj
CAiclicit) VibeAfpúil com niAit. 0 DLiA-OAin
50 t)liAt)Ain ctii^AiT) nA míLce "OAOine cufAf a\\
lilACfAtiiAil Á\\ lllAij-ome beAnninjce A5 niAinif-
cm 6Afbui5 GACum Aguf but) "óóig le X)uine
ofCA nA CAgAnn Aon cui|\fe óoit)ce ofCA 1 tÁCAi|\
A niACAf Annf A. \J^ CAiUn ó Gininn 1 libeAppul
Aguf ■oubAi|\c fi 50 n'DeA|\nA Á\y mAi5"oeAn
beAnnuijte A5 An gCnoc 1 ttluig 60 í leijeAf
Ó 'ófoc-Aicíx) cfoi'oe. "Oá ^ai(\-\\ foin cuif fi
cum An AifC"DeocAin Ha CAomÁnAij 1 gcóniAif
A féipéit An bf oncAiiAf "oo b'feAff "oÁf b'féi-oiií
A cuf cuige, mAf AT)ubAi]\c fi féin .1. fAii'iAil
Áluint! ile X)'á]\ lllAigTun Siof-CAbfAc.
UÁ fé "06 buATó A5 SACfAin A|\ teiclig "OA
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 155
That copy was placed over the altar in the
private oratory.* In 1869 another copy was
procured for the public church where the
Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
soon became, and has ever since remained,
a fountain of graces and favours to the
Catholic people not only of the district,
but of the city of Liverpool as well. Year
by 3^ear thousands of people visit Our Lady's
Picture at Bishop Eton, and never seem to
weary in the. presence of their beloved
Mother. A young Irish girl in Liverpool,
who claimed to have been cured by Our
Lady at Knock, Co. Mayo, of what the
doctor considered a bad form of heart
disease, sent to Archdeacon Kavanagh for
his chapel the best gift that she said she
could send him, a beautiful oil painting of
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
To England belongs the unique privilege
of having two Dioceses dedicated to Our
* The Rev. Edmund Vaughan was then Rector at
St. Mary's, Bishop Eton. It was he who in later
years, with Father Thomas O'Farrell and otaer Re-
demptorists, introduced the Hol}^ Picture to the
Catholic people of Australia, amongst whom it is as
well known and loved as in our own Land. The
Missioners brought two authentic copies of the
Picture with them, of which one copy is in Singleton,
the other in Waratah, New South Wales.
I5Ó ATI niAi^'oeAti síor-CaOuac is éiur
fAifóe "oo Ueit coipliipte Ann x>'á]\ lll^ij^oin
Sioi\-CAli|iAC. ^]- ^ÁX) A^^ -oi fAi|\ce yeo "Oún
tileAt)oin If teó'oiif. "Do fct\it!) G^fbos "Óúin
1ÍleA\t)oin .1. An T)occúi|\ 1xó-u|\|AAniAc "Oe Vá^a
mA|\ yeo i nibliA"óAin a 1SS3 : " UÁ sn pAifóe
Aguf -An Áii\"DeA5lAif yS coniAince Á]\ IIIaiJ-
"oine Síon-CAb|\Aó. ^^^" ■*^0" AinivAf if móf
lAt) nA 5fÁfCA "OO ciigAt) -ouinn le linn An
l1lifeoin. 11Í niifce "ooiii a ]\Át>, 50 ■oeinnn,
guf coftiiAit 50 "ocAinij beAnnACC fó leic
AntiAf A\\ "Oiin t1leAt)oin ó ciomnAt) fÁ n-A
coniAifce An ceAtt, A^uf mó|\-nióf ó noccAt)
An tilACfAifiAit 1 féipéAL nA mAi5"0ine. 11a
■OAome bA tféijte if bA cujca. "oo'n peAC-
Ait)eA6c ■o'lompuij cui"o aca -oe bAff An
5fÁfA cu5A"ó -ooib, CÁ A cuitleAt) aca 1 n-A
nAorhAib ó foin. UÁ feAbAf mof Af CAiclicib
An bAiLe "DA V)A\\i[^ ; 'oeineA'ó CfeToeAiii nA
ntJAOine •o'Aitbeo'OCAin glAn ; 50 x)eimin, cÁ
fé óorii lAi-Dif Annf o if niAf cÁ 1 néifinn féin."
0 1ÍlAinifcif Áf 1TlAi5"oine Siof-óAbpAó 1
bpeifc "oo' féif niAf innifceAf "oOinn, cÁ
An uffAini feo A5 a leACAt) féin 1 meAfc
nA bfíféAn Af fuit) xMbAn iiiie. pé Áic 50
jcuifceAp An uffAim Af bun 1 nxMbAin bíonn
fÁilce if fióe foimpe Ajuf cuifceAf An-fuini
ince ; Aguf bíonn beAnnAcc "Oe 50 f oiLuf
•OÁ bAff Af fAocAf nA nAiCfeAú CAifCil 1 5céin
if Af A nnfeónAib coif bAite.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 157
Lady of Perpetual Succour. These two
Dioceses are Middlesbrough and Leeds.
His Lordship the Bishop of Middlesbrough,
IMost Rev. Dr. Lacey, wrote in 1883 : " The
diocese and Cathedral are dedicated to Our
Lad}' under the title of Perpetual Succour.
Great undoubtedly are the graces which
have been given during and since the
Mission. Indeed, I may say, a special
blessing seems to have descended on Middles-
brough since the church was dedicated to
her, and more particularly since the Picture
was exposed in the Lady chapel. Some of
the most abandoned and inveterate sinners
have had the grace of conversion, and some
have been changed into saints. The tone
of Catholicity is much improved in the
town ; the Faith of the people has com-
pletely revived ; indeed it is as strong here
as in Ireland itself."
From the Monastery of Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour at Perth, the devotion,
we are told, has spread amongst the faithful
in all parts of Scotland. Wherever the
devotion is introduced in Scotland it is
eagerly welcomed and is very popular,
and through it the labours of the Missionary
Fathers abroad, and their Retreats at home
have been signally blessed.
158 An niAij-oeAn síon-óAlinAc is éine
An ceA"o SC11Í11 A5 All mAiSDin sioti-
CAtDRAC 1 ll-eiR11in '
An CéAX) fAiiiAil uj'OAiiÁf AÓ "oe'n 1ÍlACfAriiAil
A tÁlT115 50 ■hellMTin, 'fAn fAOJAt fO 1 lÁtA1|\
pé fcéAt é, rÁinig fí 50 cAtAi|\ "Luimmje -pÁ
•óen\eA'ó bliA-ónA a 1867 ; Ajuf -dia "OoiimAij
An nAottiAt) lÁ piceAT) "oe riií t1ot)lA5 An 5LiA-óAm
céAT)nA "oeineA-ó a noocAt» 1 5C1II CnniAinn aii
■puAf CAlrót\A 1 gCnoc SAin Alpon^A. Uofninj-
eA'ó A\\ Úfiit)uim An nAoni At) lÁ -piceAT). t-éij
eAt) AfAt)-Aip|\eAnn f olAriiAncA a\\ a liAon tiAi-p
"óéAg. T)Á éif feo óuAit) "ReAcrAiiie An Uige
.1. An rAtAijt t)|MT)5eic, Agu-p An ctiniAnn uile
A\\ cónit)Áit 50 ■oci An Alróin niA-p A|\ coiiMgeAt)
An tílACf AniAil nuAt) noirii \\é. UA-p éif "oó An
lllAgmpiCAC " x>o CAr\AX> "óein An cAcai]\
"blM-ogeic An TtlACfArhAil -00 noccAt) if a cu|t
pÁ cínf. Annfoin "oo óuait) An cAca1|\ TDac-
AtAbAif A\\ All jCjAAnnóig, Agiif "o'lnnfeAt)
fcéAt lilACfAriUA nAorhcA Á\\ ^^^A^%x>me Sw]\-
ÓAOfAC "OO pobAt élfBAnnAÓ "Oo'n ÓéA"DUA1|1.
Ciii|A An fcéAt Áttiinn Ajiif UomtAcc CAinnce
An cfeAninóniii'óe rogCA ÁCAf cjioToe oficA. If
■oeittiin gtip cuif éife ceAT» mile fÁilce le
fíof-"óúc:|\Acc of oi"óe An IÁ ti"o fonii Áf tTlÁcAif
Si Of -óAttfAó Aguf foirh An tiff Aim a cuscAf
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 159
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR S FIRST
SHRINE IN IRELAND
The first authentic copy of the Picture
to come to Ireland, in modern times at
least, arrived in Limerick towards the end
of 1867, and on Sunday, December 29th of
that 3Tar, was unveiled in the Church of
the Redemptorists, Mount St. Alphonsus.
On the 29th a Triduum was begun. There
was a grand High 'Mass, at eleven o'clock,
after which the Rector of the House, Father
Bridgett, and the whole community went
in procession to the altar where the new
Picture had been placed. After intoning
the Magnificat, Father Bridgett unveiled
the Picture and incensed it. Then Father
Harbison ascended the pulpit, and the story
of the sacred Picture of Our Lady of Per-
petual Succour was for the first time un-
folded to an Irish congregation enraptured
by the beautiful story, and by the eloquence
of that great, popular preacher. It was
a truly whole-hearted fervent céad mile
fdilte that Ireland gave that day to the
^Mother of Perpetual Succour and devo-
tion to her Picture. Needless to sav.
i6o Ar mAig-oeAti síoR-óAli)RAó IS óme
■OÁ triACf ArílAlt. T1Í 5c\t)A"Ó A fat) 50 "DCUg fi
"OiogAL \:Ó téAX) X)Á ■OAlCAÍD.
"O'ofCtA-ó mifeón 1 5C1LI Saiii AlponfA aii
1A cuijieAt) Cfvíoc leif An UiM"ouini .1. lÁ Coilne
1868. UjAÍ feAcctriAine bí An tnifeón Afi fiuOAL
Aguf le 11-A linn "óein á|A tTlAij-oeAn Síofv-
CAt)i\AC longAncAifi'oe. t)i bunAt) CutriAinn ah
■Lin Cige TlAorhCA 1 5cacai|\ tuminije A|a
•oeAg-cot^At) An rhifeoin fin. An LÁ cuiiAeA-ó
Afi bun é cuipeAt) AinmneAóA míte 50 teit
•peA|^ A-p An fotlA. Cui|\ cofAt) lonjAncAó An
riiifeom ÁtAf cpoToe a^ GAfboj ■Linmnije .1.
An "Ooócíim Ró-n|\fVAmAó t)uictéAH, Ajuf ax)U
bAijic : " Seo í An ifiio|\bAiL acá -oeAncA A5 Áf
lllAij-om Sío-|\-óAb]AAc, inio|\bAil if mó cÁbAóc
A bfAT), AmÁf, 'nÁ leijeAf buACALiA "oaiII no
cneAfujAt) niAHACínij."
Uá fUAf le LeAC-óéA-o bliAt)An Anoif ó
■oubAfitAf nA pocAil feo, Ajuf cÁ An rhio|\bAit
A|\ jniibAl fof. Uá An Cum Ann A5 T)ut 1 Uon-
niAijAe -póf. 1 inbliA"ónA .1. 1913, t)í 6VI15 mile
if Cjii óéA-o "OAlcA 1 lÁtA\\\ A5 An jComAonie
CoicóeAnn Ajuf fUAf te "óÁ mile buACAill,
Aguf lAT) uiLe com X)út\\Atx:At "oílif le -peAiíAib
UA bllATinA A lUA-OpAf 1 fCA1]\ .1. I868.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR i6i
she rewarded her children a hundred-
fold.
A mission was begun in the Church of
St. Alphonsus the day the Triduum con-
cluded, that is, New Year's Day, 1868.
During the three weeks of the mission Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour worked wonders.
One of the chief fruits of that mission was
the founding of the Confraternity of the
Holy Family in Limerick City. The first
day of its establishment 1,500 men were
enrolled. The Bishop of Limerick, Dr.
Butler, was delighted with the wonderful
results of the mission, and exclaimed :
"This is the miracle wrought by Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour, surely a far greater
miracle than the curing of a blind boy, or
the healing of a cripple."
It is now well nigh fifty years since these
words were spoken, and the miracle still
remains. The Confraternity has gone on
ever increasing in numbers, and still up-
holding the honour of its great name.
This year (1913) over 5,300 members were
present at the grand General Communion
and nearly 2,000 boys — all as fervent and
true as the men of historic '68.
i62 An mAi$i"oeAn s1on-óAt)UAó is eiue
teAtcATi An iinnAim ar pii ait) éineAnti
llíofv D'iréi'oiiA cuf\ fíof i ii-iomflÁn Aiinfo
A|i An jctimA mA\\ A|\ Icac Ati ii]\|\AitTi "d'aja
niAij-oin Sio|A-óAt)pAó 1 Tiéi|Mnn. Ó'ti ló
noóCA"ó An l1lACf AitiAil riAonitA i gcóiiiAi];
A"ómolí:A nuiinnci|Ae 'Liiimnije i mbliAt)Ain a
1867 rÁ u|\i\Aim ■oÁ\\ inAig-oni SíojA-CAGfAó A5
teACAt) if Aj; -0111 1 n"oiitHACC 1 meAf c Á\\. nT)Aoitie
1 ngAó Á1C, 1 x>Z]\eó 50 O-puit fé coicóiAncA A-p
puiT) nA cí|Ae Anoif. Ó n-A Sc|\íti t^lojiniAip 1
■Luinmij "oo fCAip An lllAig-oeAn ITluiiAe mioi\-
bAilcTóe spÁfA Agtif lompuijce Ajuf LeijeAf
cuifp 50 pAi|\fin5. ConnAic Aic^veAóA CumAinn
An IpuAf CAicójAA nA liion5AncAip"óe yo Af
puDAl -pÁ n-A i^úiUt), •A5Uf f^o AtriAó iat) A5
molA"ó, le linn a "ocAifceAl, nió|\-tiióCAi|ie "Oé
Aguf niiLfeAóc if 'OAonnAóc if cottiAóc A
TÍlÁCAf tDeAnnuijce fÁ tei-oeAl fólÁfAó Á\^
niÁCA-p Sío|i-caD|\a6. t)í nA mif eóniiit)te 50
■OÍOJIAAIfeAÓ Ag molAt) mÁtA|\ "Oé, AgUf
"o'pÁilcij nA x)Aoine f\oirii An uf-pAim 1 n^Aó Áic
com LúcjÁiiAeAó nAó mó|A if niAjA ■o'pÁitci^
muinnceA]! An cfeAn-f aojaiI |Aoirii An tinpAim
"oo'n Co|Aóin Tllinfie ó lÁiriAit) SAin Doimnic.
1lÁf\ b'é An pÁTopín pÁijAceAC fío|\-(iAlJAip Á\^
nTJAoine lAó-céAfCA le bliA"OAncAit) pA"OA •oo|\óa
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 163
SPREAD OF DEVOTION THROUGHOUT IRELAND
A full account of the spread of devotion
to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in
Ireland would not be possible in these
pages. Since the day in 1867 the hoh'
Picture was exposed for the veneration of
the people of Limerick, devotion to the
Mother of Perpetual Succour has been
spreading and growing year by 3'ear amongst
our people everywhere, so that now it is
universal in the Land. From her glorious
Shrine in Limerick, Mary lavished miracles
of grace and conversion and cures of body
as well. The Redemptorist Fathers saw
many of these wonders happening under
their own eyes, and they went forth joyously
to preach on their missions the great mercy
of God and the sweetness and clemency and
power of His Blessed Mother under the
consoling title of Mother of Perpetual
Succour. The missioners were enthusiastic
in their praises of God's Mother, and the
people everywhere welcomed the devotion
almost as rapturously as the people of old
did the devotion of the holy Rosary from
the hands of St. Dominic. Was not the
164 ÁR mAi$T)eAti síoR-óAti)UA6 IS éme
co]it\CA ■oe fAojAt A •oci'i^e. Aguf yeo Anoif
1 n-A tneAfc 1TlAC]MniAit riAoniCA 1Í1ui|ve Aguf
Ati "oeigfceAL céA'onA caG|iaó aici 'óóiD tnte
Aguf mój\-nió|\ "oo'n cuit» feo "OÁ •oaIcaíD a
CU1C 1 bpCACA-O, b'péTOIII, If " A CU^Af -pÁ
e1|^5e." llí ■péA'0|:Aix) Aon ceAtijA Áii\eAtri "oo
■óéAnAn'i A|\ An meiT) Áic^eAt) 1 iiéi]\iiin 5ii|\ cuj^
ATI pA1"0|\hl pÁ1-[\CeAÓ AJUf lllACfAniAlL Á\\
■mAij-oine SioiA-oAb-pAc cuAift) o]\tA ó fom
5UAtA A|\ juAtAiTi vnAifi A"oéAffÁ cum " CADA1|\
"oo CAt)Ai|ic t)o luóc AitToeif e, congtiArii x>o Uicc
eA-oooAif, Ajuf inifneAó "oo ItiCc fiice x>eó\\."
An méiT) ITlACfAriiAt i^oija lieAj if mó|A i-p An
mé^X) bonn "o'Á-p IllAij-oin Sío-p-CAtifVAc 50
n-oeAjAnAt) a mbeAnnAoAt) A5 niifeonAib a\\
leitiij If A f1A|^A'D le CÚ15 bUA-onA if "OÁ
fICIT), If ArillA XY\A\\ CÁ An fCCAt ní't Aon "OUl
Af A gcóin'ifeAtn. If Af éi5eAn acá ÁicfeAb 1
néifinn inx)iu, if cuniA 1 nibAile nió|\ é no
'f An cuAit, 5An eólAf Aguf cion Ann a\\. An THac-
fAiriAit. Uá fí le fAgÁil, 1 ■0C15 An feifmeó-f\d
1 mboic An p\[ oib^e if 1 mbotÁn An fíof-
boccÁin : if lonroA uai]\ "oo fUAifCAmAif féin
1 "DCijcib "oeALbA Áf gcAtf AC í A5 cui"oiu5A-ó te
tuóc Ain'oeife Ajuf éAt)ócAif if A5 CAbAifc
mifnig "OO tiicc fitce "oeóf.
Uá An ttlACfAtriAit te feicfinc 1 gcóniAif
u|\fAinie An pobAit if nA céA"ocAib ceAtt, 1
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 165
Rosary Beads the perpetual succour of our
sorely tried people through so many long,
dark, weary years of their country's history ?
And here now was Holy Mary's Picture come
to give the same sweet message of succour
to all, and especially to those of her children
who may have fallen into sin and " try to
rise." No tongue can tell how man}^ Irish
homes the Beads and the Picture of Our
Lad}^ of Perpetual Succour have since
visited, as it xyere, hand in hand, to " succour
the miserable, help the faint-hearted and
cheer those that weep." Countless, simply,
is the number of Pictures, large and small,
and medals of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
that have been blessed at missions alone
and distributed during the past forty-five
years. There is scarcely an Irish home
to-day in town or country where the sweet
Picture is not known and loved. It is in
the farmer's house and the labourer's cottage
and the humble cabin of the very poor —
how man}' times we have found it in the
poorest homes of our cities, helping the
miserable and the faint-hearted and cheering
those who weep.
The Picture is exposed for the veneration
of the people in very many of our Irish
i66 ÁR tiVcM$"oeAii síoiióAlJRAc IS éiue
n-Á\\ ^ctocA\\A^V) , i r\-Á\\ mAinifCfie^oAift, i
SCollÁifuíli) 1]^ 1 fcol-Aili t^A gC^sicliceAó A\y
puAiT) éi]\eAnii.
IIto -00 cin'oig 50 mói(\, ^An Arii^A]% cuin
ATI ii|\pAim feo X)'á\\ niAij-oiTi SíOf-ÓAÚpAC "OO
cvi]\ ipó fuini 1 néi|Mnn if 1 ngAc Áic eile if eAt)
ATI méiT) yeo, Ajuf t^ pTú a ÁifeAtíi .1. tiaó eA"ó
An'iÁiTi 50 nibATiieATiTi buAit) tia mTofbAl te^y
ATT tÍlAClMrilAll Á|\f A t)UT1At)f AC ACC bATtieAHn -pé
te " f AtíilAib " cofii mAit coa-dtia, Aguf ■oeimn-
igeAt) fO Afíf AgUf Afíf X)e tDApiA iniO]lbAt
Ajuf |:Át)AtA Ti-iongAncAC. t)í " Effigies
semper miraculosa " 111 aí\ cei-oeAl a\^ ati ttlAc-
■pATtiAil 1 SeAti-ciLl SAin niAiciu cÁ cfí céA-o
bliA-óAn ó foin atiti ; Aguf if cofríiAit gu^AAb
é "DeoiiujAt) TTA bpiAiceAf ^upAb beAlAó
mTOjAbATtCeAC 50 "OCT CpOCATfie AgUf YW\\-
ÓAbAltl " riA TTlATg-OTTie fíOf-llllOl^bATlCTge " 5AÓ
fAriiAil beAg 50 iToeinceAp a mbeAntiAoAt) ca|i
coTnipeAiii 1 5cóniAn\ ÁTCfeAb Á|t Tix)Aoine if
5AC bonn beAg uriiAt a cATCceAi\ CTtnóeAlt Ati
liunneTL.
Ha fAtiilA uj-DAitAf ACA gu^A cuimleA'ó ■oo'n
1ÍlACiv\riiAil TiAoriicA' péTii TA"o If léit\ gu^v mó
riAonicAcc A5 bAinc teó 1 ■ocuAi|Mtn ati rfAojAil
'nÁ leif T1A 5tiÁc-f AtlilATb, A^uf if Tnó u|\iAAini
A tUgCAH "OOTb "OA péTp. UÁ -pAtfliA t15"OAí\Áf AÓA
T TI5AC ÁJAT) "Oe'TI 'OOTTTAn ATIOIf, AJUf CÁ
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 167
churches, in our convents and monasteries,
in our CathoHc colleges and schools.
What has, no doubt, particularly helped
to popularise devotion to Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour in Ireland, as everywhere
else, is the noteworthy fact that not only
is the original ancient Picture miraculous,
but " copies " of the Picture also, as his
been proved again and again by extraordin-
ary miracles and favours. " Effigies semper
miraculosa " was a title of ths Picture in
old St, Matthew's three hundred years ago,
and it would seem to be the will of Heaven
that even still the countlesss little copies
that are blessed for the homes of our people'
and the humble little medil that is worn
round the neck should be so mmy mirac il )U5
channels of the mercy and perpetail succo ir
of the " ever miraculous MidDuna."
The authentic copies that hive touched
the holy Picture itself are naturally more
sacred in the eyes of all than mere ordinary
copies, and devotion to them is much
greater. Authentic copies are now in all
parts of the world, and many of them
have become famous for miracles Like
the original, these copies are painted on
wood, are sealed and signed by the Most
168 An tnAi^-oeAii síOR-óAt)RAó IS éiíie
nioitoiiiT) ACA A5t.if A n-Ainm i n-Áifoe "oe bAf^A
mionliAl. A-fv nóf An óinn GuriA'ófAig if aja
At)tnAt) A 'OAtUljeA'Ó tIA f AtillA f o ; CUIJieAt)
AtriAó lAX) -pÁ féAl-A If pÁ Ainm AtA|\ Óoicóinn
"Ró-Ullf AiriAlg CuniAITITI An "fuAfCAl-COlAA Hó-
nAotiicA, Ajuf "óein An pÁpA ia"o uile "oo lieAn-
nAóAt).
A céAT)-scnín i n-Át ctiAt
-An óéAT) f AifiAiL tig'OAfÁf AÓ "oe'n ttlACf AtriAil
■DA tifACtAf 1 mlOAile ÁCA CUAC CÁ fi 1
gCilt nA rnbAn "RiAgAtcA acá pA óomAifce An
■puAfCALcóf A A5 Ixót) SAin -AlfonfA 1 n'Ot\uini
ConfAó, An féipéAt beAg if ÁiLne Aguf if
uffAimije, b'féit)if\, i mtDAile Áza CtiAC uite.
AtfonfA nAotticA péin "oo óui|a nA ninÁ
flAgAtCA fO "Oe 0-pt) An TpUAfCAtCOI^A flÓ-
nAotfitA Af bun i mbtiA"óAin a 1731 A5 ScAtA 1
jliOJAOC TlUA'Ó-ÓACfAÓ lOtJÁtA, Agtlf "OO fhol An
pÁpA 'beine'oicc XIV. a fiAjAit 1 mbliA-oAin
A 1750. tÁngA'OAiA 50 liéipinn ó "Óiíuijeif
1 bpionTiiAAf mi tn^fCA 1859 : An CAin-omeAl
Ua Cuitinn "oo tug cui-peA"ó ■óóib. 'SAn
C15 "OÁ ngAijAúeAf " AiCj^eAb An Ó|\oit)e Uó-
nAotticA " 1 nX)|\uini ConfAó Anoif "oo bi
corhntii-oe ofxtA 1 "ocofAó, A^uf if AnnfuX) x>o
céA'o-noóCA'ó ITlACfAifiAit nA •niAig'oine SiOf\-
óAbpAó 1 gcóriiAi-p ui\-|AAime An pobiiit, 1 mt)Aite
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 169
Rev. Father General of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Redeemer, and blessed
by the Pope.
HER FIRST SHRINE IN DUBLIN
The first authentic copy of the Picture
to appear in Dublin is in the Church of the
Redemptoristines, St. Alphonsus' Road,
Drumcondra, a most beautiful shrine in
what is considered the most beautiful and
devotional little chapel in Dublin.
The Redemptoristines, or the Nuns of the
Order of the Most Holy Redeemer, were
founded by St. Alphonsus, in 1731, at Scala
in the Kingdom of Naples, and in 1750 were
approved by Benedict XIV. They came
to Ireland from Bruges, at the invitation
of Cardinal Cullen, March, 1859. Their
first abode was in the house now known as
" The Sacred Heart Home," Drumcondra,
and there a picture of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour was exposed for the first time in
Dublin for public veneration. That was in
January, 1868, but the copy was only a
simple paper print. Not until May, 1869,
was an authentic copy obtained. On the
1 8th of May, the authentic copy, blessed by
lyo AM mAi$T)eAn sIor-óaIduaó is éirie
ÁCA ClIAC. 1TIÍ e^tiAif, 1868, "OO tÁ\ylA fo,
ACC tli HAl5 Y'*^" Cf AttlAlt ACC jWIT) f1tnpl1"Óe "OO
CtÓt)Gt1AlteA'Ó A|^ pÁlpéAlA. Ill puAi-pceAf
fAiriAil u5"OA|\Á-pAc 50 mi 'beALcAine 1869.
SArh4il ujTiAiAÁfAó 50 ii'oeA|AtiA pio IX. A
tieATinACAT) ClIljieAt) A1(\. C|\0CA"Ó Í 'fATI félpéAL
&eA5 An c-oocrhA-o tÁ ■oéAg "oe "ÓeAtcAirie, Aguf
An uAi|\ "D'AifCfig nA ninÁ jMAgAtcA 1 mt)tiAt)Ain
A 1875 50 "ocí An riiAinifCif imA|\ a t)fuiti-o Anoif
cu5A'OAt\ leó A feóT). An uaija coif5|\eA'ó a
gCeAtt Ál.uinn pA óoniAi|\ce SAin ALponfA mí
nA feile III1CÍI, 1875, -DO noccAT) An tÍlACf AttiAil
A^íf 1 5cónu\itA u|A|AAinie An pobuil. llm
"beAlcAine An bLK\t)Ain 1 n-A -oiAit) fui zo\\\-
V>\^eAX> An ALcói|\ U1Acn1A|^ niAnmAifi acá Ann
Anoif pÁ comAi|\ce Á|\ IllAij-ome t)eAnnui$úe
Aguf ■oemeA-o An Scpín -00 5Ai|\m pÁ foLAttiAn-
CAcc rhóp. An lÁ f An LAf At) " Síot^-LAmpA "
Á-p TTlAi$T)ine Síoi^-óADpAC, Ajnf níofv nu'iCAt) í
jMAttl ó foin.
Uá An-u|A-fVAim A5 nunnncifi t)AiLe ÁtA
CtiAC "d'aji fllAij-om Siot\-6Ab|\Aó, AgUf Oí
U|^|\Aim pÁ leit ACA 1 ^cotfinui-oe -OA ITlACf AriiAil
nAoriiCA 1 nDjimm Con|\AC. tlí'l An ceAnjA
■óAon-OA A\\ An fAojAl -o'veA-opA-o Án\eArh -oo
•óéAnAtii Afi 5AC uiMÍui-óe if Atcuinge i-p AlcugA-ó
■oÁf jAA-OAt) le ftuAigcit) 1 LÁCA1|\ nA Serine
CAitneAniAige fm. VeAjAt) Accuingte tA\\
L OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 171
Pius IX., was set up in the little chapel,
and when the Redemptoristines removed in
1 1875 to their present monastery, they carried
their treasure with them. When their
beautiful Church of St. Alphonsus was
dedicated in September, 1875, the Picture
was exposed again for public veneration.
In May of the following year the present
[ rich marble Altar of Our Lady was dedi-
I cated, and the splendid shrine inaugurated
with great solemnity. That da}^ was lighted
J Our Lady of Perpetual Succour's " Per-
petual Lamp " which has never been ex-
tinguished since.
The devotion of the people of Dublin to
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour is very
great, and for her holy Picture in Drum-
condra they have always had a most special
veneration. No human tongue could re-
count all the prayers and petitions and
thanksgivings that multitudes have poured
out before that favourite shrine. Countless
petitions have been laid upon the Altar,
and the rich offerings that adorn the shrine
proclaim both the perpetual succour that
Mary gives and the gratitude of her affec-
tionate children.
Another authentic copy of the Picture is
172 An niAig-oeATi síor-óaOraó is éiae
cóinnAeAtii A^ Ax\ Alcóin, ^suf riA tDHonca^nAifi-oe
luAórii-A|\A cÁ triA-p riiAife A-p aii Scfín cui|mt) 1
gcéitt "Dúinn -pío^-óAt)Aif\ Thuife feiii xAguf
t)ui"óeAóAf C|\oit)e a 'OAtcAi'óe AtinfA "OÁ cionn.
Cá fAttiAii uj-DAjAAfAo eiie "oe'n itlACfAriiAil
1 5C1II Á\i lllAig-Dine beAnnuijce, "Oíon r\A
bpeACAc, 1 flÁic Ua lllÁine. 0 cugAt) mifeón
AntlfÚT) 1 mbllA"ÓAin a 1883 CUgCA^A U|\|AA1tTl pÁ
leic Ann x>'ái[\. ttlAij'oin Sío|\-óaí)haó. 1 mbiiAt)-
Ain A 1884 "OO fOlÁCtAUlg An fA^AflC pAf\óifce
.1. An cAit\c"óeocAn Oi|ADit)neAó "PficeAiA fAtriAil
UJ-OAHÁfAÓ •OÁ Ólli, AgUf CÁ Á|\"0-U|\-pAini A\\
■pAt) A5 muinncifv "óílif flÁice tlA mAme "ói.
CAOt) ttiATó T)e'n ti)Oiíin
Uá Atcóifi Ajuf Sc|\ín Átumn 1 n-oiióii\ Á\\
ITlAij'Oine Sí ofi-ó At)|\Aó 1 gCitt CumAinn An
■puAfCAtcófA 1 ntDún "OeAtgAn. lonAt) Áfo-
u^|\Ainie "oo'n ttlAig'oin "ÓeAnnuijce if eA"ó é,
A^tif if lonróA bjioncAnAf tuAcniA|\ a pÁgAt) A5
A fCf\ín mAfv óórhAfitA úuTóeAóAif "oe óionn nA
jcotTiAoin "oo fAinneAt) "OÁ "OAicAít). Cá Atcóip
Átuinn, teif, 1 n-onóif Áf ITlAig'oine SíO|a-
óAbfiAó 1 sCilt nUATÓ An pUAfCAlCÓfA Tló-
nAotfitA 1 mbéAl, peAffAiTie. CAcaia ca]\ éif
Atcóif Átuinn Aguf i-'cpín 1 n-onói|\ Á\^ ITlAig'oine
Síof-óAbfAó T)o cógAinc, teif, 1 n-eAgiAif
niiAit) An "puA-pcAlcCfA "Ro-nAoriiCA 1 ^CtuAin
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 173
in the Church of Our Lady, Refuge of
Sinners, Rathmines. From the Mission
given there in the year 1883 there has ever
been in the parish quite a special devotion
to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. In
1884 the Parish Priest, the present Ven.
Archdeacon Fricker, procured the authentic
copy for his church, and the good people
" of Rathmines hold it in the highest ven-
eration.
NORTH OF THE BOYNE
There is a beautiful Altar and Shrine to
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in the
Redemptorist Church, Dundalk. It is a
centre of great devotion to the Blessed
Virgin, and many costly gifts have been
laid at her shrine in thanksgiving for
favours received by her clients. In the
new Church of the Most Holy Redeemer,
Clonard, Belfast, a splendid altar and shrine
have been erected to Our Lady of Per-
petual Succour. There is attached to the
church a very flourishing branch of the
Arch-Confraternity of Our Lady of Per-
petual Succour and St. Alphonsus. The
membership is nearly 2,000 and there are
174 -^^^ mA^^s'oe^^^ sIor-CáMíií ac is éine
exXí\xM|\'o X)é^l l(^eA]^YA^■oe. UÁ buit)eAn tiiójA
óAt>f\Ac if Alpon]M iiAoniCA -pA óotriAifVce riA
ciLte fin. Ua fUAf le -óÁ liiile T)ALca 'fAti
ttui'oin Aguf bíonti cuit) niAic aca i lÁCAif A5
5AC C|\uinniu5AT) citiii niíofA. CÁinij^ T957
x>AlCA ACA pÁ "óéin tiA SAC|\Aimín A5 A11
gCotriAoine Coiccmn bA "oiA-onAije aca.
An fc-pín if fine Aguf if CAicneAriiAije 1
mt)éAl peA|\f Ai"De 1 n-onói|\ Á\\ mAig-ome tDeAn-
nuijte ní mói'oe 'nÁ 5U|\Ab é An ceAnn acá 1
gCilt pobuiL liUnfe é. C115 AicpeACA CtimAinn
An ifruAf CAlcóiAA mifeón iiaúa Annfút) mí nA
"Péite iDjUj-oe, 1884 ; Aguf -o'ponn cfeToeAiri if
C|\ÁibceACí: nA n-OAoine -oo gníofujA'o a tuil-
teAt), Agvif cofCA An l1lifeoin x>o buAniijA-ó
ftiAijA An Sa5A|\c pA|\óifue ceA"o ó'n ©Afboj
Cum CumAnn Á]\ tTlAij-oine SíoiA-CAbt\AC -oo
cuj^ A]\ bun Ann. "Oo ^AbAt) leif An gCuniAnn
Le "oiojiAAif. An lÁ cui|\eA"ó a\\ bun é cuiji An
cGAfboj, cléi|\ nA pAi\óifce, fAjAi^Ac eiLe ó'n
gCAtAijA, mónÁn 'OAome UiajaIca Aguf CÚ15
míLe pípóAn a n-AinmneACA a\\ a^ t\ollA. ÚÁf Ia
fAriiAil uj-oAfvÁfAó -oe lilACfAnuMl Á|\ mAi5"oine
Sioi^-CAbfAC, x>Ái(\. beAnnuijeAX) le pio IX.,
A5 An GAfbog ; cuj fé 50 piAl "oo Citt niuii\e
í, AgUf CÁ Á|\'0-U|l|\Aim A\\ pAX) A]\ flUbAL 1
n-A cimceAll -[AiAm ó foin. Ó'n ló foin 50
SHRINK OF OUR LADY OF PERPETU.XL SUCCOUR,
CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER, CLONARD, BELFAST
SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR.
ST. MARY'S, BELFAST
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 177.
well-attended monthly meetings. At the
last General Communion, 1,957 members
approached the Sacraments.
But the oldest, and perhaps the sweetest
shrine of Our Lady in Belfast is in St. Mary's
Parish Church. A Retreat was given there
by the Redemptorist Fathers in February,
1884, and in order to animate the faith and
piety of the people still more, and perpetuate
the fruits of the Retreat, the Pastor obtained
the Bishop's approbation for the erection of
the Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour. There was an enthusiastic re-
ponse. The Bishop, parochial clergy, and
other priests of the city, many Religious,
and more than 5,000 of the Faithful were
enrolled on the very day of the establishment
of the Confraternity. The Bishop, having
an authentic copy of the Picture of Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour blessed by
Pius IX., generously gave it to St. Mary's,
and it is the centre of extraordinary devotion
ever since. From that day to this a throng
of devout clients of Mary has ever been seen
before the Picture, votive candles are ever
burning and novenas are made without
intermission before the holy shrine.
There is no spot in all Ireland the scene
13
178 An inAi$T)exMi síon-óAt)RAó is éine
"Dcí ^n liV r<Á in"oni ^nn cÁ -pluAj CAor\X)úti(\AtrAt
"oe "oAlr^ilJ 11Uni\e coicciAncA 1 tÁtAiji tiA
ÍTlACfxMl'ilA, cointile mói'oe Af fiof-l/if^-o Ann
Ajvif u|\nAit)ce r\AO^ lÁ a^ fío|\-fiuttAl Ann 1
lÁCAif nA fctM'ne nAoriitA.
rií'l 1 néifiinn uile bAll eile 5;u|a nió iii\i\Aini
"óútfAórAc Ann coicóiAnrA x>'á\\ tPAig-om Síof-
óAftfAc 'nÁ '-p^" fCfín t)eA5 fo Cille TTIviipe 1
m'béAl. 'peAiAfAi'oe.
Ó, A 1ÍlÁrAi|\ nnlif lofA, t)ío"ó ctMiAg A5AC
■00 t)eófAiú "DO "oAlcAi-oe céAj^cA, |:ói|\ a\\ Luóc
Ain-oeife, rADAif mifneAó *oo Iticc -pilce "oeop,
■oéin fólÁ-p -oóit) fo 5:0 Dpuil ocfiAf oftA,5;iii"ú a\\.
fon nA nT)AOine uite, Ajii-p nA "OAOine iA-p|\Af "oo
fíof-CAttAif mof tnj'oíf uile rof a"ó "oo óonjiAnrA.
tiT t)eAf) slifc 'sxNíi T)cirxNn ri'ón pOin
•00 ^^-A t)pe<N'0'pAi'óe a scníotiAt) !
T)ei|i Goin llAoriitA SoTpcéAlui"óe linn Aguf
é A5 cu|\ cfíce le n-A jeAfjA-fceAl 1 "ocAoiti
"beACAt) Á-p "oUijeA-pnA " gtif lortróA nit) eile
■00 finne íof a : Ajrtif "OA fC|Aíl3ri"óe ia"o tnle,
xjA^ Uom nÁ beA-ó f^^S^ 'f'*^ 'ootr'An riióf
féin "CO n-A rc.MfirTóe "oe leAr)HAit) a fCfíotiAt)."
C If' j:( 1 f ' ^?:uf ó iiAi-p 50 tiuAiji ó cui-peAt) nA
líi re |-(i /f. i(|.ÍV'ir:r rÁ ^-p "crijeAiinA T)ia 5:0
1 f . ('r/c' 1 1 -x' f/( f /| i lie ^j"! f rÁ irioft)Ailci"úe
c^V cciirie**n" /jrAiiin rr.A]-\ "oeimin nÁf Sio-p-
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 179
of more constant, tender devotion to Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour, than this httle
sanctuary in St. Mary's, Belfast.
O sweet Mother of Jesus, hear the prayers
of thy clients, help the faint-hearted, cheer
those that weep, pray for thy people and
let all feel thine aid who implore thy per-
petual succour !
THE WORLD ITSELF COULD NOT CONTAIN
ALL THAT MIGHT BE WRITTEN OF THE
HOLY PICTURE
The Evangelist, St. John, tells us, as he
completes his short story of Our Lord's
Life, that " there are also man}^ other things
which Jesus did : which, if they were written,
every one, the world itself, I think, would
not be able to contain the books that should
be written." Da}^ by day and hour b}^ hour
since these hues were penned, God, Our Lord,
has ever been wonderful in His works, and
countless miracles have shown that His
arm is not shortened.
Of old there was virtue in the touch of
the lowest hem of His garment. To-da}^
the same miracles, and even greater, as He
i8o ÁR niAi$T)eAti síou-CAt)UAó IS éiue
■pA"oó bAin biMit) le cinmilc Ati cfleAfA x>o
b'ífte X)'Á éi'oe. "PÁ tÁtA1|^ "oo i\éi|\ A tAi|\n5n\e
péin cÁ tiA iniofvt)Aitci"óe ceATinA, A^uf a fÁ|\u-
gAt), "OÁ TTOéAnArh Ag tiA nAottiAit) if urhlA Aguf
if ttijA "o'/A riAorhAit). Aguf tnÁ t)í a leitéit)
fin "oe tDiiAit) rhiofvtiAitceAó if "oe óoiriAóc
■oiA-óA A5 fliof -A eiTDe jLeoi'óce fimpti"óe CAt)
■oéAfpAjt 1 'OCAOit) An cí "DO t)í 50 ceAnn riAOi
mí AigemAiA éi"oeif mA|\ outfroAo uite-gteoi'óce
gAn ftnÁt, if "oo pijeAt) A]\ neArh ! Cat) mAt\
jeAtt Af ltlui]\e "DeAiinuigce 51)]^ tt'ioriAnn a
peoit if /A peoil, péin ! ITIÁ tií "oe t)UAi'ó A5
A "óeifCiobtAit) lA^A. -puAfiAóA éAóCA bA trió 'nÁ
éAóCA A ITlÁigifciiA ]:éin X)o "óéAriAtti, ní f?eAT)Aí\
cÁti rheAf Sé ceójtA "oo óuj^ te mioftiAilcib.
A fhACAf^ fó-oiiAeArhriAije |Aó-Annf a péin ?
Ajt Tióf A tiAen-ríiic "Oiatda péin gAbAnn fí
cimóeAtt A5 'oéAnArh mAiúeAf a. If eAt) bíonti
Hoimpe iriAttAóc icpfviiiTi "oo óofc no "oo óu^
A^ neArhnit). t)íonn An c-Ai-obiffeoit^ A5 5AGÁ1I
cimóeAtt Ap nó-p teotfiAin búiiAcige péAóAitic
C1A bpAjAt) fé te ftogAt) : aóc bíonn ITluife
A5 jAbÁit cimóeAtt, teif , mA^i A'ceifi nA nAoirh;
At\ tOf»5 "OAoine 1 njAó Áic óum f ólÁf if cAbAi|A
•00 CAbAifc "ooib. "OemeAnn fí fo a\\ a ftige
péin te n-A bonnAib beAnnuijte, te n-A f AuitAib
if te n-A fCAbAttAib 1 ngAó Áfo xie'n "ooriiAn
tiAonAC. Cé nÁ -peicceAti í ^rein te fúlAib
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR i8i
Himself foretold, are worked by the humblest
and least of His saints. And if the hem of
His poor but comely robes had miraculous
virtue and power divine, what of her, we
ma}^ well ask, who was herself for nine
months His clothing and garment, all
comely, immaculate, heaven-woven ! What
of Holy Mary whose flesh was His flesh !
If His weak and unworthy disciples were to
do greater things than their Master, what
limit can we , suppose that Divine Master
ever intended to set to the miracles of His
own most worthy and most beloved
Mother ?
Like her own Divine Son she goes about
doing good. Her work it is to prevent or
undo the wickedness of hell. The devil
like a roaring lion goeth about seeking
whom he may devour ; but Mary, say the
saints, goes about, too, seeking everywhere
whom she may console and succour. This
she does literally by her blessed medals,
pictures, and scapulars, through every part
of the wide world. Unseen by human eyes
herself, poor sinners and sufferers know she
is near and they clasp her image, they kiss
the medal, the Beads, the Scapulars, and
like the hem of her erarment, or of that of
i82 Áu iiiAMS-oeAn síoti-Cai:)Raó is éme
"DAOTTOA, <\1Cnl§1T) peACAIj V)06ZA 1|^ tUÓC
•pulAingte tlAC fAX>A VAtA ^, AJUf pÁlfCIT) A
momxiij, pó5^i"o bonn if pxMt)]M'tiit)e if
ScAbAill ; Aguf A\\ tióf fleAf A a liéi"oe no
éix)e CfíofC "pein bAineAnn buAix) teif riA
ni'otib nAotfitA f o, Aguf "oeinceoj^ miofbAitci"óe
f ó-iongAiiCACA. "Oa fC|\ibci"De A\y pÁ-\\ " ^AX) uite,
ni beAt) fLise '-pAn x)otriAn pern, ■oa|a liom, -oo
n-A (iAicpi"óe "oe teAbf Aib a fCfíobA-ó."
If beA5 flige cujcaja 'f^" pÁipéAf nuAi"óeA6-
CA no 'fAn ififleAbAf "oo nA ni"ócib a ■oeini-o
nA nAoim jac IÁ. pcifiof ! if beAj ifif-
teAV)A\\. 50 bfuil fonn Aif mófÁn ftije 'oo
CAbAifC "o'eAcCAib "Oe itlóif péin. If AiiilA
"DA n-ufriióf nÁ cujait) ftige a\\ bit uaca.
Ajuf "DA Ainxieoin fAn An 510CA " iuiAi"óeAóCA "
If lllJA AgUf If fUAfAlje Amuig 1 -OCAOlb
tTlÁCAf beAnnuijte "Oe if nA TlAotii if a gCAb-
|\ui5ce If 1 "OCAOlb flÁnuigce Aon AntnAn AríiÁin
teó, If tnó f uini a cui]\ceA|A Ann 1 bpu\iteAf "Oe
Aguf if mo ÁCAf A óuifeAnn fé a\\ AingCAlAib
"Oe 'nA niAfv •óeinit) nA nnlleoin leAcnAC "oe
nuATóeAóc nA " bpÁipéAf " tiile Le n-A "ocuil-
ceAf An "oortiAn móf 5AÓ tnAi"DeAn.
Seo cúplA fompLA ve tf ócAife if "oe óAbAif
tilui|\e. T)Á fUAfAije ^AX> X)0 féif óofAirilAócA
cuifTO ÁCAf cfOTóe Af nA bAinjCAlA'b féin.
UogA-o 1AT) 5An óoinne leó Af leitUs :
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 183
Christ Himself, these holy things have virtue,
and stupendous miracles are wrought. If
they were written, " every one, the world
itself, I think, would not be able to contain
the books that should be written."
The newspaper and magazine give little
space to the things the saints do every
day. Alas ! few journals care to give much
space to the works of the great God Himself.
Most of them give none at all. And yet
the least and the most insignificant item of
" news " about the Blessed Mother of God
and the Saints and their succouring and
healing of one soul is, of course, of more
interest to Heaven and gives more joy to
the angels of God than all the millions of
pages of " newspaper " news that deluges
the world every morning.
Here are a few seemingly insignificant
examples of Holy Mary's mercy and succour
that give joy to the angels themselves.
They are culled at random :
" Petition granted through Mother of
Perpetual Succour — a conversion after
twenty years."
" A th mksgiving to Our Lady of Per-
petual Succour and Our Lady of Lourdes
for the happy death of my brother." And so
184 ^H TiiAi^'oeAn síon-CAt)nAC is éme
" 5^^^^^^-^^ "o'Acóinnje z]\é eA^oAfjAliAit Á\\
VfíÁtAii^ Siof-o^OfAo .1. lotnpó'ó Al^ flige n^
ngitÁf CAji éif pióe btiA-oAn."
" 'bui'óeACAf te n-Á-p TTlAijTnn Sío-p-óAO-pAó
if le ITlAij'oin tui-p'oe mA^^ jeAit Af t)Áf nAomcA
ino •oeA|\t)i\ÁtA|i."
XXguf niAf f oin "oe. If ioiitoa " gAGÁit
bui"óeAóAif " ó óf 01*06 te -n' Ái|\eArfi AjAinn :
if -píof 5ui\ beA5 -pocAit A5 bAnic teó, aóc if
teóf lAt) cutn c^AoCAipe ■riTÁtA|\ "Oé "do Cu|\
1 jcéilt Agtif mó]\-ÁtAf Cfoi'óe "oo t>í tÁn "oe
tÍUl"ÓeACAf.
teigeAS leint)
ó ttiÁtAin rhAit An ticifi yeo fíof . Cfeit)eAnn
fí, 1 TTOiAit) "Oé TiA 5^011^6 péin, 5tit\ te n-Á|\
TTlÁtAiiA Síot^-óA^^fAó if cóitt "oi buToeAóAf "oo
gAtDÁit "oe t)An|\ teigif A tiinjme. 'O'lAff
u5'OAt\ An teAbAiji -peo tiif\ce geAiiiA-tuAififc "oo
Cu|\ óuige Aguf óui|A fí óuige An ticiiA feo :
" A ACAIjl "Óíl,
" ní peA-OAi\ cionnuf rofnuJA-o leif ati licip feo,
SeAllAim "ouic, acc inneófAT) ■ouir; -oiiieAC mA^^ tuic
AtriAC. -puAip nio CAilín beAg •onoc-tuicim X)Á ]ú]uh.
C|ií bliA-óriA 50 leic a ViAOif An tiAi]i céA-oriA. t)í Aii-
éileAtii A5 riA CAilíníb niójiA uile ui|ice ati cfÁc úx).
Cuip -ouine aca 1 n-Aiti-oe a^i CAiiifins cuibeAfAC &\\X)
puinneoise í. *ÓjtuiX) fí catdaII UAite Antifoiti A5Uf
x)'iA^1A fí A]i Ati leAnb léim x)0 tAbAijic cuice. t)í
fí beAsÁn t'ó-pA-DA Af ati cflise, Asuf tuic aii leAtib
bocc AnuAf A^i A liéAX)Ati. Hí 5ÁbAX) A \\A-6 50
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 185
on with many a grateful " Thanksgiving "
— brief, indeed, in words, but enough to
reveal the mercy of God's Mother and the
joy of a grateful heart.
CURE OF A CHILD
The following letter is from a good mother
who believes that after God she has to thank
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour for the cure
of her little d9,ughter. It was sent to the
present writer who had asked for a short
account.
" Dear Rev. Father,
" I really do not know how to
begin this, but I will tell you exactly
how it happened. My little girl got a
very bad fall. She was three and a half
years at the time. She used then to
be a great favourite with all the big girls,
and one of them put her up on a pretty
high window-sill and moved away a little
and asked the child to jump to her. She
was a little too far away and the poor child
fell flat on her forehead. Of course, there
was a great lump and in a couple of days
lock-jaw set in. The doctor sawjher and
told me he had no hope of her, that lock-jaw
i86 An niAi^'oeAti síon-óAljRAó is éiRe
•ocÁini5 ctiApÁti mójt ai^i, Aguf bí cofc béil utjice i
gcionn cúplA lÁ. ÓontiAic An I1A15 í Aguf tjuIjaijic fé
liom »iÁ pAib AOTi •oócAf Aige Aifci, 5U|i piop-AnnAni
A •óeiTici'óe cofc béil "oo leiseAf, 1 x)cpeó tiÁji b'^iof
•ootn CAT) buT) cóin A ■óéAtiAtii. An beAn 50 i\ABAf a]\
ofcui-óeACc AIC1 bí An-uiijiAim aici x)'Á|t niÁcAin Sío]a-
CAbjAAC. ÓóniAipli5 fí ■óom Ujintii-oce nAOi lÁ -oo
•óéAnAiii, A5Uf -00 -óeineAf é. IJí An leAnb fUAf le
feACCiriAin 'f*" otAjtlAin 1 ngAillnh An uaiji fin.
■pÁ'n Am 50 |\Aib u|inui-óce nAoi lÁ ctiíocnui5ce AgAtn
bA léiji 50 jtAib peAbAf a^i ah leAnb, A5up bí Á|i-d-
ÁcAf A[i An I1A15. tA5A-ó lét A bÓAl -o'ofCAilc beAj^Án,
Aguf 1 gcionn ciiplA lÁ eile bí 1 n-A cumAf beA?;Án
■o'ite. t)íof -péin coiii "oeitiini5ce ^u\\ b'é nio iinnuit)re
TIA01 lÁ bA bun leif An leiseAf 50 n-oeAt"iA ceAnn
eile tnA^ JAbÁil buix)eACAif, A5Uf ttioLax) mó\\ le "Oia
if le n-A lÍIÁCAiii ■óeAnnui5ce bí An leAnb com flÁn
if mA|t bí fí jiiAth 1 5cionn cúplA feAcctiiAine. . . .
CjieiT) uAim 5ii|\ móii é mo iheAf one. — A. Ó C"
lOTÍIpÓt) peACA1$ tÍ)UlCU
UugAin An fotnplA fo u^inn. If lom-ó^
ceATin X)Á leitéir) A5 triAifiujA-ó cnomeAC Át\
mifeóti coif bAile if tA]\ le^f. "ÓiúLcaij pe^ji
•oo'n AipT^eAnn ^]^' X)0 rtA SAC|\Ainiincíti 50
ceATiTTDAnA A\\ peAt) A cinj "oéAg no a fé '06^5
•oe bliA-óAncAilJ. TDubAipc f ajaijic nA pA|ióif ce,
1 jcúige muniAn, leif nA riAiCjAeAóAiD x)o bí 1
bpei-óiL An rinfeoin nÁ|A b'Aon riiAiceA]' "ooib
■oul A\\ cuAif\"D cuije mA\\ nÁ beAt) éinni-ó -oÁ
\bA\\]\. CuAi-ó ■omne 'oe nA tiAicpeAóAit) pÁ n-A
■óéin, Árh, a'^v]" ■o'iaia^a fé ai|^ ceAóc óum An
rhifeoin, aCc fAiiiLuig "oó ná pAib Aon rhAit
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 187
was hardly ever cured, and I did not know
what to do. The woman that I lodged
with was devoted to the Mother of Perpetual
Succour and told me to make a Novena to
her and I made it. The child was nearly a
week in hospital (Galway) at this time. By
the time I had finished the novena the child
was decidedly better and the doctor was
very pleased. She could open her mouth
a little bit and in a few days more she was
able to eat a little. I felt so sure that it
was my novena did it that I made another
one in thanksgiving, and thank God and
His Blessed Mother, after a few weeks, the
child was as well as ever it was. . . . Believe
me to be yours most respectfully. — A. O'T."
CONVERSION OF A POOR SINNER
We give the following example, and many
similar adorn the chronicles of our missions
at home and abroad. A man for fifteen or
sixteen years obstinately refused to go to
the Sacraments or to Mass The priests of
the parish (in Munster) told the Fathers
who were giving the mission that they need
scarcely visit him, as it would be in vain.
i88 ÁR tnAi$X)eAn síor-óaDraó is éme
Ann. Sa "oeifeAt) tug fé t)ó bonn Á]\ ITlAig-oine
SÍ01A-ÓAt)fAÓ, AJUf X)'lA]\1(\ fé Alj^ "out A\\ A
jtúnAit) Aguf " A lilAij-oeAn liluii\e, ic." "oo ^ixSt)
pó C|\í " te n-Á|\ lllAij-oin Síot\-ó-At>f aó. Cuai-o
Ar\ peAf boóc Af\ a giúnAilj i n-Aice An tfiifeón-
U1"Óe AgUf t)lltjf A-OAj^ AfAOn nA pAITípeAÓA 1
n-émfreAóc. Com liiAt i|' Gi fo "oéAncA "o'lA^fv
An mifeCnufoe Afif Aif ceAóc óum An triifeom.
" I^AóAX)," Af\ feifeAn, " haóai"ó mé Ann."
Ajuf -DO ÓUA1-Ó, If t)i longnAt) A^i 5AÓ éinne.
t)í fé A5 An An:i\eAnn tlAottitA mAi"oeAn tAe
AjA nA r)Á1|^eAó, Ajuf "o'trAn fé a ttpA-o 'fAti
féipéAt A5 utltfiugAt) 1 5CórhAi|\ pAoifiTune.
"Oein -pé |:Aoip"Din, Ajtif 5t-Ac fé An ComAoine
VlAomtA, Aguf t^inig fé óum An rhifeoin 50
coicóiAncA ■oútiAAócAó 50 "oeifieAt).
C4 mif ce -óúinn 'S^ó\\\ "oo "Óia if x>'á\\ ITlAig-oin
SíoiA-óAt)t^Aó -oo XíÁ-ú !
lompOt) eite
UA An fcéAt fo fiof A5 An ACai|\ liOiuf,
C.SS.tl. 1 n-A leAttjAAn Aluinn .1. " ^f tTlAig-
■oeAn SíoiA-6At)|iAó :
" t)í DAlnCfeAttAÓ AOfCA "OIA-UA 1 n-A cótfi-
nuitie 1 nTDeifceAfc 6ifeAnn. t)'^ mAC aici
A5Uf An-óion aici ai|i, cé gut^ óuif fé mópAn
buAitbeAi^CA if imfnioriiA tii|ite peAt) T;jAeimfe
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 189
One of the Fathers, however, did go, and
asked the poor fellow to attend the mission,
but seemingly all was in vain. At last he
gave him a medal of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour, asking him to kneel down and
say three " Hail Marys " to Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour. The poor fellow knelt
down beside the missioner and both said the
prayers together. This done, the missioner
asked him again to come to the mission.
" Yes," he answered, " I will go," and he
did, to the astonishment of all. He was
at Holy Mass next morning and remained
a long time in church preparing for con-
fession. He made his confession, received
Holy Communion, and to the end attended
the mission most regularly and fervently.
We may well say. Glory to God and Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour.
ANOTHER CONVERSION
The following story is related by Father
Livius, C.SS.R., in his beautiful little book,
" Our Lad}^ of Perpetual Succour " —
(Eleventh edition) :
" A pious, aged widow, living in a large
town in the South of Ireland, had a son
igo An i'iVAi5X)eAn síon-cAt)nAó is eiue
\:ax)a Aitnfife. t)i fé ó X)AMe \:>eA^Á^^ hliA-oAn
1 v-A yÁiMUX)e 1 gcéin. acz t)í fé f^ liAile x\|\íf
1 GpoC^ip A riiÁfxs-p 1 mblMt)AiTi a 1884. ílío-p
X)Ac fé le fAX)A le n-<\ |\ói1I) "oe "oiMlgAf ^m|^ 1
"ocAoit) A ojieTOttii ^giif Oí fé ciigt/j 50 mófi
"oo 'ónoic-ionictiji. 'O'oibtiije^'ó fé 50 "oiati,
Acr "o'itntijeAt) a í:iiAf«ifCAl aja Ar\ óL. Illófv-
riió|A t)í An iriÁtAin |réin An-Docc A-p tpAV. If
nió-p tiA pAi"oiieACA tjí •pÁi'óce <mci A-p fon lom-
puigce A tnic, "oul5Ai|\r fí t1|iniii'óce 11A01 lÁ le
r\-Á]\ \VlA^t,x)U^ Sw\\-caX)\\ac a\\ a fori ; acc Ida
óoffh^il, 11Á \\A\X) éinnix) X)Á m\JA\\i(\. 'C\\Átnór\A
Áifice f<.\ini5 fí 50 "ori ^n féipé^l ciitn a
]:^A^X)]\eACA "oo |\Á"ó. CAf<4t) ati CléifeAó uifice
Agtif •ouOai|\í: fí leif 50 \\A^V) ceAptA aici An
c-AiiijeAT) "oeiiAeAnnAC "OÁ \\A^t) 1 n-A feilb,
Aguf gAn Ann aóc leAt-fiAeL, "oo CAiteArii A|1
coinniL te lAfAt) 1 Iacai^ á\\ ITlAig'oine Siop-
óAl3-pAó le full 50 n'oéAnfAt) Sí eA'OAfjui'óe
A-\\ fon lompuigte a tnic buicc. "Oo iAf fi
féin An éoinneAt, "o'-pAn fí Ag gni-oe 1 Lácaiji
nA fCfíne 50 ceAnn CAniAill "o'^Aj fí An cill
Annfoin, Agtif An comneAl A|\ lAfAt) fóf A-p
AjAit) nA fAríilA. An iiAif f-poic fí bAile bí a
niAC 'fAn nj |AOiinpe, Ajuf if uifce lií lonjnAX)
An UAIf tl15 fí pÁ nT)eAfA 50 pAlb ACfUJAt)
CfVOCA A1|\ : 1 n-IOIIAT) ÓfVOCA 'DOfCA jjltlAnTOA
•00 belt Alp niAf bA gnÁc bí -pé 50 geAt-gÁificeAó
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 191
whom she much loved, but who for a long
time had given her great trouble and
anxiety. He had been absent some few
years, a wanderer in foreign parts, and was
once more (in the year 1884) at home with
his mother. He had long neglected all his
religious duties, arid was given to a dissolute
course of life ; he worked hard, but his
earnings were spent in drink. The mother
was, moreover, herself extremely poor.
She had prayed much for the conversion of
her son, made novenas for him to Our Lady
of Perpetual Succour ; but all seemingly in
vain. One afternoon she came to the
church to say her prayers. Meeting the
sacristan, she said to him that she was now
going to spend the last money then in her
possession — it was threepence — for a candle
to burn before the Picture of Our Lady of
Perpetual Succour to obtain Her intercession
for her poor boy's conversion. She herself
lighted the candle, prayed before the shrine
for some time, and then left the church,
the candle still burning before the picture.
On reaching her home, she found her son
in the house, and at once noticed with sur-
prise how changed he looked ; instead of his
usual dark sullen mien, there was a bright
192 ÁR niAig'oe^n síoR-óAt!)nAó is éiue
Ae|\eAó, ^stif, Afv feifCxin : ' A rhi^t/Mit, c4
focfviiijce itn' Aijne AgAtn mAtAif\c fAogAit "oo
CAiceAtfi peAfCA Ajuf An nit) acá "oe "óuAigAf
Of ni "oo "oeAnArh "oe "óeoin "Oé/ ' CéAt) niotA"ó
te íof A If te tnuif e ! ' Afif a a rfiÁtAif óf Áfo
Agiif tút5Ái|\ ófOTóe uifte. ' Uéigif fUAf ótitn
An cféipéit 5An moilt, a riiic, Aguf "oein tdo
fAoifTOin te 'otiine "oe nA liAicfeACAib. "Óein
fé put) uifte. CuAit) fé óutn fAoifi"oine, tóg
fé An jeAtt, Aguf feo peAfCA aj cleACCAt) a
ofieTOitfi é. Óuif fé mAlAific tfeó A]\ a fAojAl
Af -pAt), gAt) fé te CumAnn An tin Uige llAoríicA,
ÚV15 -pé fóiÁf "OÁ iriÁCAH\ ó|AÁit5ceA6 Ajuf "oeAj-
fomptA "oo ■óAoimt) eiLe "oe liA^f a "oeig-iom-
ÓU1|\."
Aóc ní 5Át!)A"ó 'Dúinn ■pomptAi'óe ■o'iomAt)-
ujAt». niio-plJAilcTóe longAncACA "OÁ n"oeineAnn
Áf ■niAij'oeAn Síof-óAt)fA6 Af fon AnmAn Aguf
co]ip A 'DAtCAi'óe "oo-geititnít) eólAf o|\tA 50
niinic te tinn Á-p tTlifeón if Á|\ "ReicféAC if ó
ttAttAit) eile. If cofriiAit 50 mbíonn cAljAif if
Cf\ócAi-[ie -pÁ teic AIC1 1 ■ocAifce "oo peACAóAiO
boócA "oo CU1C if " A tugAf pÁ eifje." Hi
fteAt) flije 'yAn "ooniAn tnóf -Féin "o'eAócfA a
riéAóc lonjAncAó mte. If é fítMnne An fcéil
50 n"oeiirini5eAnn fí 5AÓ tÁ 511^ 'oíon if congAn-
CÓIj^ í 5AÓ CfÁt 1 LÁtAII^ 5ÁIÍATÓ AgUf CfUA-O-
CAin.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 193
pleasant air about him, and he said : —
' Mother, I have made up my mind to
change my Hfe and to go to my duty.'
' Thanks be to Jesus and Mary ! ' exclaimed
the joyful mother. ' Go up to the church
at once, my son, and make your confession,
to one of the Fathers.' He acted on her
word. He made his confession, took the
pledge, and returned to the practice of his
religion. He entirely reformed his life,
became a member of the Confraternity of
the Holy Family, and continued to give
consolation to his pious mother and edifica-
tion to others by his exemplary conduct.
But there is no need to multiply examples.
Extraordinary cases of miracles wrought by
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour for the
souls and bodies of her clients come fre-
quently to our knowledge on Missions and
Retreats and from other sources. For poor
fallen sinners " who try to rise " she seems
to reserve her special succour and mercy.
The world itself could not contain the story
of all her wonderful works. In very truth
day by day she proves herself to be a
refuge and a helper in every need and
tribulation.
14
194 <^'^ iivAig-oeAn síoR-cAlJHvAó IS éme
CUR SÍOS IS niiiimsAt) au ah
niACSAttiAit pern
TiAorhtA -pern, a ceToeAl, if ah nunneA-ó cÁ le
bAinc Ay. A'omAX) Aguf AgAit) ó\]\ ai]\ ah
C-A"Ól!)AH 50 t)pulL All ttlACf AfilAll CA1|\5Ce A^]\
le X)At. bifeAiicin iia 51*^^5^ 'YA^^ z\\wmA'ó
Aoif x>éA^ mot) tiA lllACfAttilA. UÁ fí bfeif if
pice ó|\lAó Af Aoif"oe Agiif fé ó|\Iac "oéAg a|\
LeiteAt). P|AÍltlfÍ05A|\CA tlA lllACfArillA, gAII
Atfl-pAf, AM lllÁCAIIA "DeAnilUljCe If Atl teAtiti
'OiA'óA. Uá beifc AingeAt 'fAii l1lACfArhAiL,
leif. Ua At) Cfoc If óeitfe CAifnge Af lomotif
A5 An AingeAl of cionii ah teinb ; Aguf ah
c-AinjeAt Afv AH "ocAoib eite of ciohh "oeAf-
jUAlAH Áf triAlj'OIHe "beAHHinjce, CÁ áfCAC A]\
10rt1Ól1|\ A5 AH AIHgeAt f AH AgUf lAHH f A*OA A5
eifge Af AH ÁjicAó H1AH AOH le 510ICA15 50
Dftlll mÚfCÁH Af A bAff A^Uf fiOH 5éAf Af
fileAt) leif. An Cf oó, ah Iahh if au giolCAc,
l1flA1f1"Óe HACbÁfAÓA lAT) fAH 1 gCÓrilAlf pÁlfe
•oobf óHAige Cfíofc : óinf ah ceAfTJiii-oe of
CÓttlAlf f Úl AH teiHl) ■jTtlAfCAlCÓf A ^A^O 1 lÁttlAlb
HA H-AIHgeAl AgUf HA lÁtflA fÁ OUtfTOAC HIAf
óótriAfCA iiff Aime.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 195
SOME DESCRIPTION AND EXPLANATION OF
THE PICTURE ITSELF
We now come to the explanation of the
holy Picture itself, its title and the lessons
that it teaches.
The Picture is painted on wood on a
ground of gold. The style is Greek Byzan-
tine of the Thirteenth Century. It measures
a little over^ twenty inches in height and
sixteen inches in width. The principal
figures in the Picture are, of course, the
Blessed Mother and the Divine Child.
There are two angels in the Picture also.
The one over the ChUd carries the Cross
and four nails, and the angel on the other
side, over Our Lady's right shoulder, carries
a vessel, and rising out of the vessel is a
long lance, together with a reed on the
top of which is a sponge dripping with
vinegar. The Cross and the lance and
reed are the terrible instruments of Christ's
future dolorous Passion, which are repre-
sented by the artist as held before the eyes
of the Child Redeemer in the reverently
veiled hands of the angels.
igó An triAi^'oeATi síoR-óAttUAó IS éine
CorhAiitAToe ^P^^ST^ ^r ^■^^* "•A ticfe^óA cÁ
Aiinfo If Annfú-o A|a An tVlACf AiiiAil, Aguf "oe
oeAjiTJUToeAoc riA 5r^'5^ ^" tÍlACfAriiAit -pein.
If eAt) CÁ ioncA 5eA|\|^-cuniA a-ja AinmneACAili
muijie If íofA If An "OÁ xNingeAl. Ha ceicfe
LiCfieAóA te TiAif An teinti», if eAt) cÁ loncA
licfeACA cofAij If tiCfeAóA "oeifit) An "OÁ
f ocAt 5i^^^5^r^ " iof-A Cfiofc." A\\ bAff , of
cionn cinn Á\y 11lAi5"Dine tDeAnnuijce, Af An
lÁiiíi ólé Ajnf finn Ag péAóAmc A]\ An 1Í1ac-
fAniAlt, ÓímÍT) llCIjA tOfAlg If llCIjA "OeilMt) An
fOCAlL ^T^élglfe " lIlAtAlf," AgUf Af An "OCAOltl
tAll, CA t,1C1f COfAlg If tiCIf "OeiflT) An fOCAIt
Jféigife " "Oe." Acz nA óeitfe tiC|\eACA fo
•oo 6ufv te óéiLe if é ciAtt a Geit) teó nÁ " 1"I1ácai|a
■Oé."
Of cionn cinn An Amgit 50 bfinl Cfoó if
CAi|An5i"óe Af lonióuf Aije óímít) Ale Aifite nA
5t^éi5ife .1. "An," Aguf iicfeAóA cofAij nA
t)f ocAi Bi^^iPr® ^'^r " AitoAingeAt " Aguf
" 5'<''^ri^^-" Sm é "An cAfóAinjeAt 5'*t)f\iet"
mA|\ foin. AjA An "ocAoit) CAtt of cionn "oeAf-
juAtAn Á1H TTlAi5"oine iDeAnnuigce oitni-o nA
tiCjteAóA A óiAtlvnjeAf, A|\ An n5eA]\|\-óiimA
óéA'onA " An cAfoAingeAt tTlióeÁt."
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 197
THE VARIOUS LETTERS
The letters on various parts of the Picture
are Greek characters, as the Picture itself is
Greek art, and represent in contracted form
the names of Jesus and Mary and the two
Angels. The four letters beside the Child
are the initial and final letters of the two
Greek words, " Jesus Christ." At the top
over Our Lady's head, we have, on the left
side as we face the Picture, the initial and
final letters of the Greek word " Mother " ;
and on the opposite side the initial and
final letters of the Greek word which means
" of God." Taking these four letters to-
gether they mean " Mother of God."
Over the head of the Angel bearing the
Cross and the nails we have first the Greek
definite article " the " and the initial letters
of the Greek words for " Archangel " and
" Gabriel." He is then " the Archangel
Gabriel." On the other side, over Our
Lady's right shoulder, we have the letters
which mean in the same contracted form
" the Archangel Michael."
igS AM inAi$"oeAn síor-caIjuaó is eiue
Aislmg iiAtt)Ás<\c A11 teitit)
SeAtf Aiioif, 'fAii fflACfxiriiAit feo CAifvuig An
ceÁt\"oui"óe c\\Á^'úteAi. AniAó cóittiUotiAt) CAifti^-
■peAóCA "OÁiOit) 1 "ocAoiO íofA CiAÍofC : " Uá tno
■óotifón óf tno córhAif coicóiaíica " .1. " Dolor
meus in conspectu meo semper" — (Ps. xxxvii.
18). Cá An teAnt) StÁnui5ceó|\A 1 n-A fÁrh-
6oT)tA"ó 1 mbActAin A tÍlÁCAf . Atx: ^réAc ! f eo
t>eipc AfCAingeAl A5 eicitc AnuAf ó uaccaja nA
cpLAiceAf if Ag ceAcc 50 tiobAnn 1 tÁCAifv An
'Leint!) "oo ]\ét]\ ó|A"oui5ce An AtAi(^, Ag CAif-
beAinc T)ó uftAifi-oe c|aó nA pÁife if An
t)Ái]' "DO t)í lloiinif if A5 t)Ainc pfieibe Af An
teAnt) co|Ai\CA cotJlACAo. Uá Ci\o6 if CAi|\n-
51*06 if lAnn 1 nA tÁCAi|\ Annfút) ! UÁ fceón
A^^ An t-eAnb if A tÁitiA beAgA A5 cimc. CIaoi"ó-
eAnn Sé te ■oeAftÁitfi A itlÁCAf, Aguf CAifV-
geAnn fife 50 X)tút ótim a cfoi'óe ifceAc é
te n-A tÁirh if te n-A 5015 óté "o'p onn A óof Ainc
A|\ An Aifting tifgfi^n"OA.
An l,einbin bocc "oit, nAó Aige bi An co"oLAt)
fio-p-bf ónAó, flu AifiÁin Aguf é 1 n-A tinge Af
bfÁgAiT) A TÍlÁCAii P'ofjlAine. "biot) gq bf AgAt)
A bAitt óofftA beA^Án fUAin if 50 n-iA'ófA'ó
A ■f:AbfAit)e cfomA, niof fof "oo Cfoi"óe An
teinb Act A5 fAife if A5 cfÁúAifeAóc 5;An
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 199
THE CHILD S TERRIBLE VISION
Now in this Picture the pious artist has
painted before our eyes the fulfilment of
the prophecy spoken by David of Jesus
Christ. " My sorrow is continually before
me " — " Dolor mens in conspcdu meo
semper."* The Infant Saviour slumbers
peacefully in His Mother's arms. Lo ! all
of a sudden the two Archangels flying down
from the highest Heavens appear, in
obedience to the Father's commands, before
the Child, and, showing Him the blood-red
instruments of His future Passion and
Death, startle the weary, slumbering Child.
The Cross and the nails and the lance are
before Him there ! With trembling little
hands the affrighted Child clings to the
Mother's right hand, while she with left
hand and arm draws Him tighter and nearer
to her bosom to succour Him from the
horrid vision.
Poor, dear little Infant, what a sad sleep
was ever His, even on His Immaculate
Mother's breast. His weary limbs might
* Ps. xxxvii. 18.
200 An inAi$"oeAn síon-óAt:)KAó is éiue
fCAonAt). " Co'OlAiin, aóc bíonn mo Cf oi"óe aj
fAitte." A^uf -An IJigiL pAt)A -po Af fiuOAL le
titin A Oije If le tinn "Oo Ijeic i n-A VeAjt
óonriAic Sé of A óóniAif coicóMncA CAtlifVAij
If An Cfoc, CAi|\n5i'óe Agtif lAnn Aguf mtifCÁn
fitce fionA 5éiiA if "oomblAif. gAn Aon
AttinAf " teAnl!) T)ot!)f on " "oo b'eAt) é óorii
niAic te Deit i n-A " "peAf "Oobf on." "Óí A
6utfiA ojAoi'oe "oe fioi^ of A óóriiAiiA ó t)eicit 50
CAtDllAlj.
xJkoc, mÁ b'í An Aiftin^ uAcOÁfAó futAingte
feo fío-p-bfón A teint) to'iAt) jeAjA "oionmAj^A
TiA ITlAtAf fíon-óAt)Ai]\ A teinb. Ajuf óíceAf
fo "ouinn 'x'An l1lACfAtriAiU Seo é An ni"D if
tnó V)\ 1 n-Aigne An óeÁ|iX)ui'óe ótAÁibcig ó
tOf AÓ .1. " Alf 11115 UACbÁf AÓ " " fíof-Gf óin "
An teint) Aguf " fío|A-óAt)Aif " nA fnÁCAi^.
Cíonn fé óeAnA féin A bfón uite, a bfuil te
fulAing xXige "OÁ fAi"o uaca 6 .1. peAnnAix)
óuifp if Aigne, CA|\ctiifne "OAoine, a n'oiútCA'ó
"DÁ tfiifeón "OiA-oA, lú'OAf A5 fcéiceAt) -Ain,
peAnnAiT) cuipfeAó uAigneAó geicfeimne, pój
An fif fcéicce, ceicec^-o nA n-AbfCAL "DCojtA,
An ónÁib if An fAbfAt), feili"óe "oo CAitCAt) 1
nA xXgAit) A'óAi^cA, piAn fó-'óiAn if nÁife nA
f ciuiff eÁtA, A "óAOf A-ó 'f An éA^cóif le pioLoiT).
Cíonn fé guj^ mó meAf a beit) A5 An bpobAl
A|\ "óúnrhAfvbcóif cfíoónuigte 'nÁ Aif, A^uf
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 201
rest and the heavy e3^ehds close down, yet
the Heart of the Child watched on in Its
unbroken, weary vigil. " I sleep, but my
Heart watcheth." In this long vigil of
Infanc}^ and Manhood He ever saw Calvary
and the Cross, the nails and the lance and
the dripping sponge of vinegar and gall.
He was in very truth, " a Child of Sorrows "
as much as "a Man of Sorrows." His
sorrows were perpetually before Him from
Bethlehem to Calvary.
But if this awful vision of suffering was
her Child's perpetual sorrow, the Mother's
sheltering arms were her Child's perpetual
succour. And this we see in the Picture.
This is the primary idea of the pious artist,
namely, the " frightful vision " of the
Child's " perpetual sorrow " and the
Mother's " perpetual succour." He sees
already all His sorrows and sufferings,
though yet far off— the physical and mental
agonies, the scorn of men, their rejection
of His Divine mission. His betra3^al by Judas,
the weary, lonely struggle of Gethsemane,
the traitor's kiss, the flight of the chosen
Apostles, the cords and buffets, and the
spittle cast in His Adorable Face, the
awful pain and shame of scourging, His
202 ÁU llVAlg'OeAII SlOR-ÓAtÍRAÓ IS ClUG
AniifOin 11A coifcéitne C|aó 50 CALDjXAig, 5AÓ
cuiciin if buitte if •oiAitiAfLA'ó. CLoifeAiiii Sé
béiceAt) if Y'C|\éAóA'ó if eAf CAini"óe iia hJiú'oai-
*í)eAc niíot)ui"óeA6 .1. A nniinnceA|\ pém, Aguf
lAT) A5 CACAinC AjA COIgCfíOÓAlt) 11A llOtilA A
■OLUI til AflDA'Ó A|V All gCfOIÓ 'OO OfO^^CUJAt).
tíoTiCA|\ SútA An teiiit) le "oeóitAiú if ^luAif eAnn
An fuit 0 r\-A Cfoit)e An uai^a óíonn Sé nA
liArhA]\cA fo cfMteAgLA If ctoifeAnn nA puAniA
b^ot-X)]\ó\r^.
uugAiiti inume CAt3Am is sótÁs
T)'ÍOSA
ClAoit)eAnn Sé le nA IÍIácaih, luijeAiin
uifite, beifVGAnn ^feini a]\ a tÁitfi if A liieApA
A5 C|it, if CAfAnn Sé 1 n-A bAclAin é féin Af
l.of5 compóifo If cAbfAC. Sin í An bCAn
ó|\ó"óA, TnAtAiji cotiiAoCAo T)é nA 5^óit\e !
CÁ "oe ófó"óAóc If "oe óoiiiAcc A5 bAinc téi
5Uf fél'Olf tél CAbAlf "DO CAbAllAC *00 'ÓIA
ttlófl tllle-COttlACCAÓ 'OoriiAfbcA Anoif Aguf é
A|\ A tojig Í n-A bAclAin, Aguf gAbA-o Aije teif,
nióf-ttióf . pÁif ceAnn fí le n-A biiAgAix» G.
pógAnn fí "Oe nA "oeo-pA. 1 n-ionA"o Aon póige
An fill fcéicce cu^Ann fi 'OO mile póg iriAf
Aon le SfÁt) 0 ciioit)e A. ttlAcAf. CinneAim fi
cutn f uAin é A^ A bfÁ^Ait) óutn f uahia uf jf An-OA
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 203
unjust condemnation bj^ Pilate. He sees
how the people will prefer a common mur-
derer before Him, and then all the blood-
steps to Calvary, the falls, the blows, the
blasphemies. He hears the yells, the cries,
the curses of the ungrateful Jews, His own
people, urging the Roman strangers to hasten
on with the work of murdering Him on the
Cross. Seeing these fearful sights and
hearing these woeful sounds, tears fill the
Eyes of the vChild and His little Heart
bleeds.
MARY SUCCOURS AND CONSOLES JESUS
He clings to His Mother, leans upon her,
clasps her hand with His trembling fingers,
and seeks in her arms comfort and succour.
She is the valiant woman, the great Mother
of God ! So valiant and great is she that
now, when He needs help and seeks it in
her arms, she is able to succour the Great,
Omnipotent, Immortal God ! She clasps
Him to her bosom, she kisses away the tears.
For the one of the traitor she gives Him a
Mother's thousand kisses of love. She
hushes Him to sleep on her breast to drown,
if possible, by sweet lullabies, the horrid
204 ÁR l"nA1$X)exMl SÍOU-ÓAt)RAÓ IS éiRe
A l!)<5:ife "oo tfiúóAt), mÁ'y peTOif ^Ati, te fu^n-
CjAáije. péAóAnn fí 50 giAA-oniAii ifceAó 1 nx\
fúitit) 5lé, Ajuf *oíb|AeAnii fí Aiflinsi-óe ti<)
SCjiA-o Cfoite fo ZÁ Roiinif if "o'^Ag imfníorh
UiArh ^suf óoTóóe b'í An itlÁtAifi fótÁfiJi"óe
Aguf CAt)Ai|\ An teinD. IDo ouAit) An l^eAnb
íofA pÁ n-A "oéni, "oo fit Sé óúióe, "oo óAit Sé
ifceAó 1 n-A bAclAin é péin Afi toí\5 bÁi-óe ^y
CAt)|\Aó if "Dín ífiitif, Aguf ní fAilJ Sé -piArii
5An \\vx> /dige "OÁ t)A]\|\. 1 n-Aon pocAt AttiÁin,
niAfv foin, b'í tTlui|\e SíofV-óAbAifv íofA, a ITIac
AgUf A "OlA. If AtflÍA CtlltACeAI^ 'f^" t1lAC-
fAttiAil í mAf Siofi-oAbAn; "o'íofA, Aguf fin é
p|uifi-bfí5 nA ITlACfAríilA uite.
Ati cslije 50 bpuYt sí rriAn óíon-
CAt)Ain ASAinrie, teis
Cifit) 5AÓ éinne 50 f oiiéijA peAfCA An cfLije
1 n-A *0CAifbeÁnAnn An TÍlACfAniAit flAottiCA
cionnuf zÁ Tlluife mA|\ itlÁCAif Sfof-CAbpAc
A^Amne AtriAit if mA|\ bt fí 1 n-A Siop-oAbAijA if
1 n-A fótÁf A5 A TIIac 'Oia'óa féin. "Óein An
CAgtAlf An ítlACf Aril Alt fin "OO OOlffCACAin
Aguf "óein "OiA féin í glóifiujA-ó te miofbAiL-
cíb. An ceAfoui-oe ■00 CAiffig le ■dac i, but)
triiAn leif 50 "ocuigiiTiif , ó'f fUT) é 50 bf uit "oe
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 205
sounds of His Passion. She casts a look of
love into His dear Eyes that chase'd away
the visions of coming torments that haunted
and scared Him.
Ever and always the Mother was the
Child's consoler and succour. The Child
Jesus turned to her, ran to her, cast Him-
self into her arms for sympathy and succour
and a sweet refuge, and He never did so in
vain. Mary, in a word, therefore, was the
Perpetual Succour of Jesus her Son and
her God. It is as the Perpetual Succour of
Jesus that the holy Picture represents her,
and this is the primary idea of the whole
Picture.
HOW SHE IS OUR PERPETUAL SUCCOUR,
TOO
Now, how the Holy Picture shows us
Mary as Our Mother of Perpetual Succour,
as she was the Perpetual Succour and
consolation of her Divine Son will become
plain to all. For the artist who painted
this holy Picture, ' consecrated as it is
by the Church and glorified by God by
miracles, would have us understand that as
2o6 Áu niAi5T)eAn sIou-caDrao is éiiie
óumAf If t)e coriiAcc A5 ah itlAij'oin t)eAin-
nuijce fólÁf If neAfc if CA&Aif "oo tAt)Ai|\c
■OÁ leAnG X)\At>A, "OiA riA gl-oifve, 50 mtjeit) "oe
óimiAf Aguf "oe óoifiAóc aici a teiteit) oeA-otiA
■00 "ÓéAriAtfl "O^ "OAtCAit) "OeAtÚA f plOj^A'OAriltA
.1. cféACúi-pTóe boóCA "Oé. An cí tug congnAni
If CAt)Aij\ If f ólÁf "oo "OiA "pein, ni 'óeAí\DóóA'ó
éinne, aóc ■oiAniAflingteoif 615111 jAn eólAf,
nAC félT)11A lél-f1Ú"0 fÓlÁf If CAlDAIf "OO tAl5A1|\C
•00 c-tíéAcinfíl') "Oé.
If fei-oijA ; ói|i An Ué acá 1 u-A Úfieón tA\\
Ci^eónAit) cÁ món-éAccA "oéAncA xXige nice.
5a6 piAn if céAf At) if cfé n-A óéile "oÁ mbeif-
eAtin ofAiini, if cumA 1 gcofp, 1 n-AtiiriAin no 1
n-Aigne é, riocfAit) téi CAftfugAt) linn le n-A
Linn ; óit^, cat) if fui Af ftilAin5eAinAi|\-nA
HiAiii 1 gcotnofCAf le pionnóf if peAnnAix)
nA pÁij^e Aguf CAH!)i\Ai5e a Dí hia^ fiof-Aifting
A5 íof A ; Agtif f éAó 50 ntDeAfnA An lllAij-oeAn
tílÁCAf neAtti-nit) "oioD uite te cneAfCAóc !
CaT) if fiú Á\\ ngAOcAiji If Áti nT»eAlt5Af-nA 1
jconiófCAf le n-A|i fulAing íofA ? acc péAC
5utA cns fife -oócAf if gile 1 fcÁblA beitie
if 1 n-ÁiC|Mt) uriiAit llAf AfOA 1 "ocfeo jtin cuibe
Le StÁtnnjteoin An "ootriAin "oeic inbLiA'ónA
fióeAT) "oe t]\i btiAX)nA "oéAj A-p fióit) A f A05A1I
5eAi\i\Ai'o Annfo 'oo óAiceAn'i 1 n-A ceAimcA.
U^At 5ui\ L1115 eAtDocAf if cinpfe if "oeifceAii
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 207
the Blessed Virgin is able, powerful enough,
to console, strengthen and succour her
Divine Child, God, she will be able and
powerful enough to do the same for her
needy spiritual children, God's poor creatures.
No one but an ignorant blasphemer would
dare to assert that she who helped and
succoured and consoled God Himself is
not able to console and succour God's
creatures.
She is abley> for He Who is the Mighty
One hath done great things in her. In
our pains and sufferings and trials of every
kind, in body and soul and mind, she will
be able to succour us ; for what are our
sufferings compared with the racking
agonies of the Passion and Calvary ever in
vision before Jesus, and yet the Virgin
Mother soothed them away ! What are our
privations and poverty beside those of Jesus,
and yet did she not so cheer and brighten
the stable of Bethlehem and the lowly home
of Nazareth as to entice the Saviour of the
world to stay with her for thirty years
out of thirty three years of His short life ?
In hours of depression, weariness and
disgust that weighed upon His truly human
Heart she was His one helper and consoler.
2o8 All tnAi$T)eAn síor-CaDraó is erne
Afv A C]\o^^úe po\^-'ÓÁOnX)Á b'í An r-Aoti óoti-
gAncóiii If fóLÁfuit)e x>Á \\a^X) Aije í. Ví\a\\
A óéile, •oéAnpAi'ó fí AriiLATó "ouinne. An
peACAi"óe CÁ A5 tuige o|\Ainne ? t)í peACAi"óe
uile An ■oottiAin "OAonxJA iriAfi uaIaó Ai|t fiú"o ;
Acc "oo óuimil An itlÁtAiíi fin Af\ teAc-CAoiti
nA "oeottA "oo pÁifceAt) Af C|\oi*óe An temtt
te C|\uinie An uAtAig fin, AStif 5AÓ bAf\|\ó5
t)05 binn "OÁ-p t>ein fí -Aif if mó neAfc Ajuf
fóláf ■DO Cu5A"DA|i "Oó 'nÁ niA|\ "oeAnpA-o
ftuAijce uile nA nAorh ó TleAtti "o^ n-iAi\]AA'ó
Sé oftA ceAóc A|\ A tAoit). 'Oó lií 1 ^cumAf
ttluifie An melt) feo 50 téif -oo •úéAnArh, Aguf
"óein fi é T)Á ÍTlAc "Oia-oa ; Aguf if péi"oi|\ téi
A teiCeiT» óéA-onA T)o "óéAnArh "oúinne, Agu-p
"oeAnpAi-o fi, teif, é X)Á X)AIzá\X) fpiotiAtDAifitA.
tlí gAbA-o A fÁ"ó, "OAf n'oóij, mÁ'f peitJiiA téi
511H coil léi óotfi iriAit. 5^" Arh|\Af, beit)
oijieAT) "oíojiAAife tiif^ce óum a fíon-óAt)Aii\ "oo
CAt)Ai|\c 'oúinne if niAfV X)^ ui|\ce A5 CAGftijA-o
te íofA, niunA j^ut) é, 50 "oentiin, ^^^.^^ mó
"oioji^Aif A lieit) ui|\ce 1 n-Áf *ocAoit)-nA niAH
geAtt A^ Áf bpeACAÍt» lomA'OAitilA if Áf n-Ain-
"oeif e. CtAnn Á-fv n AcA-p acá A-p HeArh i-p eA"ó pnn
uile -oe t)A{Af t)Aifce, Ajtif At)ubAH\c íofA
■pém .1. ITIac An A.tAi[\ -pAn, tinn " Á\^ nAtAi|\
ACÁ A|\ lleAm " "DO -pAt). A|i An A'óbA|\ f oin
clAnn Aon AcAf 'Oia'óa finn, Ajuf "OA biAíg fm
I
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 209
So, too, will she be ours. Is it sins that
weigh us down ? He was burdened with
all the sins of humanity, but that Mother
wiped away the tears which the burden
crushed out of the Child's Heart, and her
tender, sweet caresses gave Him more
strength and consolation than would all the
Regions of Heaven's angels had He called
them to His side. Now all this Mary could
do and did for her Divine Son, and the
same she can do and will do for us, her
spiritual children.
Needless to say, of course, that if she is
able, she is also willing. She will, un-
doubtedly, be as eager to show us her
perpetual succour as she was to show it
to Jesus, if not, indeed, more eager because
of our countless sins and miseries. By
Baptism we are all made children of Our
Father who is in Heaven, and Jesus the
Son of that Father told us Himself to say :
" Our Father who art in Heaven ! " We
are children, therefore, of the same Divine
Father : Jesus and we are consequently.
Brothers. We are even more than brothers
.of Jesus, for we are like members of His
Body — members in truth of His Mystical
Body. Thus it is that Mary not merely
15
2IO An nvAig-oecMi síor-caIíraC is éiue
■oeAjxliiiAiciieAoA 11^ eA"ó finn yem \\' ^oyA.
^T 5011^*^ 5-Aot AgAinn le íofA 'nÁ "oe^pDpÁit-
jAeAóA pém, óif\ 1]" coftfiAit le bAltAili) n'Á
Co]\p fimi, .1. bAitt, 5Ati 50, X)'A Co|\p T)iAniAi]A.
/A-p Ati gcuiriA f o ní tieAtt AniÁin 50 ii-AicnijeAnii
mui|\e 5U|\ "d'a clAinn finne coifc ^sí^\\ •oeA]\-
ó|\^icfeAóA pnii "o'á tiíofA péin, aóc cíOTin fi
lonAinne íofA 1 ti-A tieAtAit) yor» ■ASUf ^íotin
fí fiinie -peni 1 níofA AitiAit i|^ 'OÁ rtibA "o'aoti
Co|\p pnn. Cionn fí póf 1 ti-á|v ii-Ain"oeife 1
n-Áf jcuriiATo, 1 Ti-Áfi 5CoitrieAfCA|\ if 1 ii-Á|\
rCOeÓ-pAH!) fAIÍIAlt AJUf ACtUIA'ÓÓAin A ÓO"OA
SÚT). Agtlf pÁ niA^A CU5 ATI TÍ1ÁCA1]1 fÓlÁf If
CAbAi|A mA{\ bA "óuaL "o'á leAnb íofA, Ati CeAnn
"OiA-oA, 1 ti-AtloT), mA|\ A céile If é miAti X)út-
|\AÓí:AÓ riA IllACAf póf CAbAlf "OO CAbAlfC
X)úiniie, riA bAill.
nixXR múiiieAt) "oi ciontitis untiAS T)o
t)eit Aici T)óit) so t3íotin as ptilAms
"Oo cuip "OiA An CeAnn 'Oia'óa niA^^ ciifAni
A|\ Ttluifie 1 'ocofAc 1 t)Cfeó 50 "ocuigeA-o fí
A|\ n-eAflÁince "oe bAff CAitige if 50 mbeA"ó
c|\UA5 if CfiócAife AIC1 ■óúi:nti. An uai^a if
éi^eAn óg "oo oiLeAn'iAinc 1 jcóiiiAif beic 1 n-A
Sniif AnnfA *Oéifce A^uf UfóCAife, A^uf jaii
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 211
recognises her children in us as being
brothers of her own Jesus, but she sees
Jesus Hving still in us, and us in Jesus, as
in one Body, and in our miseries, our
sorrows, our conflicts and our tears she sees
His reflected and renewed ; and, as of old, it
was only natural in the Mother to console
< and succour Jesus, the Divine Head, so it
is still the Mother's longing desire to succour
us, the members.
HOW SHE WAS TAUGHT TO COMPASSIONATE
SUFFERERS
God first placed in Mary's keeping the
Divine Head, so that like Him she
might learn to compassionate our infirm-
ities and be merciful. When a young
maiden, unaccustomed to rough work and
the hard sights that usually accompany
the care of the suffering and the dying,
has to be trained to the life of a
loving Sister of Charity and Mercy, she is
made to pass through a period of probation,
a Novitiate to test her and train her for
her life-work. She is placed for a time in a
hospital or infirmary or workhouse ward,
212 Sn. ni<M$T>e^\n síou-óAbnAó is é^ine
CiiiCiJe ^ici Ji^ 5Jipt)-ot>Jkij\ ni s\\ tia cpiMt)-
jirhápc«MO ii t)jiineAf -oe $nÁ£: le pjveAfCAl
otJip If ■DAOine <jf t)niu\(i t>Áif ciii|\ce<\p ■o'piAó-
*ii1^ un\ce fejkt x)o ó^\ice^rh A3 cleAccAt), no
cionnf CATiCAóc, Cum cimaiII t)o t»Aitic Aif ci Aguf
oiteATfiAin X)0 tAUAipc ■01 le TiAgAni) *.\ fti$e
beAtAt). CuiiAceAf 50 cejinn CAtriAilt ifceAó 1
feómiiA ófbuiTDéil no ot4^|^l*^n no ci$e n^
mt)oóc Í m*ip Á óípt) fí Ariu\|\c^\ C|mu\5A if
mÁ\\ 4 mbeit) 1 n-A cuniAf Aipe "oo t^OAipc le
n-Á LÁTTiAit) "oe^fA cneAfCA féin "oo nA gnóCAít)
If fUAjVAige "OA mbAineAnn le fiAóCAnAifít) An
óine ■OAon'OA 1 "ocfeó 50 tDfoglumooAt) fi ó'n
gcleACCAt) CAT) é t)í foimpe, cat) trnt) óóip a
"óéAHAtti Aguf cionniif but) óeAfC f An a ■óéAnAtn
1 jcAmpA An éAgcfUAif no Af pÁifc An buAilce.
A|\ An 5CumA céA-onA if eA"o -oo cuif "Oia,
CpuCuijteoif If ANcAif An cine "óAon'OA, inAf
6ú|\Am Ap TtUiife An Ué 50 fAib eAflÁince
"oAon-OA An CfAOjAil Ann, ói|\ "001)' GifeAn
'■ peAf nA •oU|\uA5," 1 mboccAine Ajuf 1 n-oiAn-
oibpeAoAib 0 nA óije, A to^ Ait^ féin Ia^a-
óAip A^uf eAflÁince An Cine ■óAont)A uile, 1
flige If 50 bpo5lumóóAt) fife .1. tTlAtAif if
Compófoui-óe pif nA "oUfUAj, 6 tAitiJe cion-
nuf cfuAigriiéil if CAbAif x>o beic aici ■oo'n
Cine boóc x>Aonx>A lonAinne.
Aguf Corn luAt if tuj fi "oeirhniujA-ó — if,
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 213
where she will see pitiable sights and have
opportunities to minister with sweet,
loving hands to the lowliest necessities of
humanity that so she may learn from
experience what to expect, what to do,
how to act in the fever camp and on
battle-fields.
So it was, too, that God, the Creator and
Father of mankind, placed in Mary's keeping
Him in whom were all human infirmities,
for He was . " the Man of Sorrows," in
poverty and labours from His youth, Who
took upon Himself the weaknesses and
infirmities of all mankind, that she, as the
Mother and Comforter of the Man of
Sorrows, might learn from experience how
to compassionate and succour poor humanity
in us. And when she had proved, and, oh,
how well ! — her fitness, her skill, her tender-
ness in succouring and comforting, she was
by her dying Son left to be Our Mother of
tender comfort and perpetual succour. With
His last breath He spoke to her from His
death-bed on the Cross and told her to
look to us : " Behold thy Son ! " — and be to
us in sorrow and trial all that she had
-^ver been to Him when He was with her
\nd needed her care.
214 ^^^ mA15"Oe0.n SÍOR-CAbRAÓ is élRC
ó, nAó triAir "do ]\iniie ]M iMn ! A]\ a hoipexMiiiixiór
if A gtiocAi^ if A cneAfCAóc i "ocAoit» CAGpuigte
Ajuf compóifVD, "o't^As A tri-AC AgAinne í Ajuf
6 A|\ tJfUAó tiÁif tnA|^ TtlÁcAi|\ óeAnnfAócA i|'
lio|\-CAt)-[AA6. T)o iAliAi^ Sé Leif An AnÁil
■oeiiAit) téi ó leAbATó A DÁif a\\ An gCjioió a5iii^
■ouGaijac Sé téi péAóAinc óujAinne : " "péAó "oo
lÍlAC ! " Aguf An DAinc óéA"onA X)o tjeic aici linn
1 lÁtAljA t)|\Óin AgUf ÚVlA1'ÓeA|\tA 1f triAp t)í
IMAfii A1C1 teif péin Aguf é i n-A ceAnncA A^uf
gÁGAt) Aige le n-A iiAi^AeAoAf .
Seo é mtiineAt) Átuinn nA tnAc-pAiriLA triAjA
■pom Ajuf A bfíg |\ó-f ótÁf Aó .1. 5Uf Ab cóiribÁi'ó
ACÁ A5 niuifie Inine if máp bí aici le íof a .i.
^UfAt) í " Á\\ 11lÁtA1|: SíoiA-cAbpAó " í.
An t)eAn cnó'óA Agus a teAtit) cuó'óa
Acc if mó 50 mofi 'nÁ fo a óiin^ceA]\ A|\
eótAf tnÁ "óeinceAp An l1lACfAniAit "oo fcpu-o-
ugAt) 50 li^ijAeAó. If í An itlÁCAii^ An " "DeAn
Cfó'óA," Aguf ijeijAeAnn fí a cfó-óAóc "OA
leAnb beAg, cé gut^ íaj if 511^ puA^AAo é A
neA|\c. TTIa|\ •óennniujA'ó aij\ fin, óoni Uiac if
GeitieAnn An leAntt ciApcA st^eim A|\ LÁirh A
lÍlÁtAjt if mocuigeAnn 1 nA cimóeAlt neA|\c i]^
CAbAiii A séAg, péAó niAjA óAfAnn Sé if mA|\
cui|\eAnn Sé ati 'oA fúit 50 -oAnA ct\é uplAii^l)
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 215
This, then, is the beautiful lesson
of the Picture and its most consoling
application — Mary is for us what she was
for Jesus, " Our Mother of Perpetual
Succour."
THE VALIANT WOMAN AND HER VALIANT
CHILD
But there is much more than this re-
vealed in the careful study of the Picture.
The Mother is the " Valiant Woman," and
she communicates her valour to her little
Child, physically so weak, so helpless. For
see how the terrified Child, as soon as He
has clasped the Mother's hand and feels
around Him the strength of her succouring
arms, turns about and resolutely gazes
on the awful instruments of His Passion,
the cross and nails ; aye, and seems to look
beyond the mere vision, and, with more
than human courage, fix His tender, infant
eyes on the blood-stained Cross on Calvary
itself and say : " My sorrow is continually
before me," but " I am prepared for
scourges,"* So shall all God's children,
* Ps. xxxvii., 18.
216 An mAi$x)eAn síoii-óAtinAó is éirie
A "p^ife .1. An Cfoó if r\A CAi|\n5i"óe. SeAt),
Ajuf If cofrhAil 50 CféAóAnn Sé níof fiA uAit
'n^ An Aift-inj fém, 5«]^ mó mifneAó xXige 'nÁ
A5 An "OAonnAi-óe, Ajuf fúlA cAome Ó5A
■oifigte Aige A^A Cfoió ófó CAtúfAije péin, if
50 nTieifeAnn : " Uá mo "óoOfón óf mo óórhAif
coicCiAncA " Aóc, " Oim ullArh 1 jcóriiAif
fCiuiffeÁlA," — (Ps. xxxvii. 18). If ArhlAi-ó a
fAjfA^A ctAnnA iiile "Oe, x>Á lAige iat)
viAtA féin, 50 CféAn feAfttiAC 1 góoinnH)
lonnftii'óe mte iCffain, 50 fOi"oneA<^ fiAl
CAitféiineAó 1 LÁCAif Annfó if An t)Áif féin
Aóc 50 n-oeAnAit) tllÁtAip ófó"óA T)é nA 5'-óife
CAt)lA«$A"Ó leó lA An gÁ&TTAIf .
1 n-Aifting UAtóÁf A15 nA pÁif e "oo Oí "Roimif ,
f A triAfi lé1f1gceA]^ Af An itlACfAttiAil é, A-oeifiT)
50 fAit) oifeAT» fAn C]\eAtA a|\ óofp An teinO
gUfl CfOtAt) nA COfA beAJA 1f gUfA btiAileAt) 1
5Coinne óéile iat) 1 "ocfeó guf fCAoileAt»
ceAnn "oe nA cuAfÁnAit) bCAgA if 50 fAib Ap
OfUAó cuicime "oe'n óoif noóccA. Acc CÁ
t)i\í5 teif f eo, ciAlt níof "ooirhne f óf A^uf níof
t)iArnAi|\e. CórhAftA lÁn-uirilói"De é, ^éitleAT)
5tAn' "DO •óeAg-toit A AtA\[ Óíof tn-oe. "Oein-
eAnn An teAnt) fiAL An óof noóc "oo tAif^fin
1 gcórriAif CAifii^e Aguf cféAócA, Ajiif ní
tllAT) nA COfA AtriÁin AÓC A ÓOfp Af fA"0 1
ScótfiAif nA Cfoióe. "OÁ b^tíj fin bAineAnn Sé
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 217
how weak soever they may be of them-
selves, be made strong and resolute against
all the attacks of hell, patient and gen-
erous and victorious in the midst of suffer-
ings and death itself, provided onl}^ the
valiant Mother of God succours them in
their hour of need.
In the terrible vision of His future Passion,
as represented in the Picture, they say
that the agitation of the Child's body was
so great that the little feet quivered and
struck together, and one of the tiny sandals
loosening was ready to fall from the naked
foot. But there is a signification, a meaning
in this deeper still and more mystical. It
represents absolute obedience, complete
abandonment to the good Will of His
Eternal Father. The generous Child offers
the naked foot to the nail and the wound,
and not the feet only, but His whole body
to the Cross. He, therefore, puts off His
shoe as a token of obedience and abandon-
ment to His Father, " a testimony of
cession of right "* over His own life, thus
to cede even the last drop of His
* Ruth iv. 7
2i8 <\u iiVvMg"oe.<Mi síou-caOuac is éiue
"Óe /A cuAjAAn inA^v 6óiriA]\t;A uriilóiT)e Aj^uf
Keiltce *o'^ AtAijA, " ]:iAt)n Aij^e j;,ui\ cugAt)
f tiA-p 5AÓ ceAfc " óutn A ATiniAn péin 1 x)Ci\eó
50 fCAt^At) Sé teif An mt)|\Aon x>e^\i^^ó ne puil
A Ó-poTóe Ap foil "puAfCAlCA A nniinncif^e.
pé CjAÁc féAóAm At\ An lÍlACfArhAiL t)eAn-
nui5,ce |eo, tiá "oeinimif 'oeAtMtiA'o óoTóce Af
An melt) •o'frulAing ^]\ SLÁnuigceoip beAj, Afv A
ttiofV-riiAiceAf, A -peite, A fÁii\-óion if A
tjioCAi^e "óúinne, peACAig t)oócA neitfipiúncACA ;
bímíf-TiA, teif , 50 f l,AiceAniAit ciaó"óa 'f^ii meix)
A tieit) te "oeAriAni if te futAinj AgAiriii a\k f on
"Oé, Ajuf, *OAf n-oóij, If beAg fAn. A^uf if
fA0|\ÁiT)i5e Ajtif If éAX)Cfuitne fóf a úeit) fé,
•oe t)pí$ 50 Bf AjAitnÍT) CAt)AHi If coiignArii c'n
" lilnAoi C]ió"óA .1. TTlÁtAi|v "Oé."
mÁtAin síon-tntiA$ Án mÁtAin
SÍOR-CAt)nAC
"but) coiji "oúinri beic fiAt, teif, Af fon
tritiife A^uf A5 fíofi-óuirhneAtfi A|i 5AÓ x)Ot)tión
X)Áti cuijA fí "01 cum belt mAí\ 1Í1áCai|i Síot^-
CAbfAó A^Ainne. "OÁ mbeimtf ^An bÁit) AgAmn
téi níofi t)'ful.Áifv cfoi"óe riíof cfuAi"óe 'nÁ
cloó A5 ceAóCAf AjAinn. "Oo fCoiLceAt) a|\
óAffAijíb CAlbjiAije féin 1 lÁtAi|\ biocbfóni
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 219
Heart's Blood for the Redemption of His
people.
Whenever we gaze on this blessed Picture
let us never forget the sufferings of our
little Saviour, and His goodness, His
generosity, His exceeding love and mercy
towards us poor, undeserving sinners, and
let us, too, be generous and valiant in what
we have to do and suffer for God which
after all will be very little. And it will
be all the ea^sier and lighter when we are
succoured and assisted by " The valiant
Woman," the Mother of God.
THE MOTHER OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR A
MOTHER OF PERPETUAL SORROWS
We should be generous, too, for Mary's
sake, ever mindful of the sorrows she had
to undergo in order to become our Mother
of Succour. If we did not sympathise
with her our hearts would be surely harder
than stone. The rocks of Calvary were
split asunder before the agony of Mother
and Son. It made the Angels weep to
distress their Queen. It was only at the
bidding of Divine Justice that they
220 All tnAi^-oe-An síou-CaIíuaó is éiue
ttlAcAf If tilic. iDi 11A liAingit péiii A5 fiLcA*
X)e6\y coifc 50 mb'éisin buAt)Aii\c "oo tu\\ A\y a
RiojAin. "Oe ^a^\^ óji'ouigte ah Ci|\c T)ia"óa A]\
leitli$ If eAt) f CAoileA*OAH ah Aif ling 1 ^a-oajic
All 1o"óbAi|\círi 'OiA'óA. "Oo CÓ5 Sé Aif péin
ÁfA mAiUiigteAóc mte, Aguf niof b'pulÁifi "Oó
T1A " t)eA|\CA CfUA"ÓA " "OO f eiCf IIIC Agllf " fíotl
Ati 'Dobi\óin "o'ót," 1 T)C|^eó 50 tToéAnfAi-oe
puAfCAitc A-p A ifiriiincit^ (Pf. lix.) ; aóc tia
liAiiisit feo A ótiif CeAfc T)é 1 bpei'óni "oo
50111 An ttlAtAlfl bOÓC 0|\tA If t)0 t)ÍO'OAl\ Aj;
CAoi'ó A]t A fon. T)o néi|i mA|\ acáit) 'fAn
itlACfAltlAlt CÁIt) A5 CA1fbeA1TlC "oo'ti teATlb
1o"óbA|\tA 1 bfui|Mn Aiflinje " iia beA|\CA
C|\UAt)A A^uf f íon ATI bf óin " ; Aór inA|A f oin
féiri cÁ fúlA uAijneACA cfUAgA "oifijce aca a\\
AJAlt) riA 1TIÁCA1A.
A-\\ nóf T1A nAmseAt tiAorhtA fo but) óói|\
"Dúitirie cfuAj "oo beiú AjAinn *o'á|\ mÁtAit\
tDeAHTiuijte Aguf hÁ^t> léi "oe óionn bftoin a
triic X)^A•óA, Aguf but) óeA|\c 50 gcuinnieoóAimíf
'yAr\ Avn óéA"oiiA 5«]^ "oe -oeAf cAib peAcui"óeAócA
'o'imfveA'ó 5AC téAii Aguf cféAóc aca uile.
Aguf Á\y bpeACAi"óe féin óorii iriAit. 5^^ •^'•P
f ulAing íof A ó "Deiceit 50 CAtb|\Ai5, 1 iigeAgAib
ITluif e if 1 rigéAgAib tiA Cí^oióe ati peAóuit)eACc
bA óiotiCAó teif 50 lél|A. " tnAjA geAlt Af
i;)eACAíb mo itiuinncife "oo c-tieAfCA|\Af 6."
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 221
presented the vision before the eyes of the
Divine httle Victim. He had taken upon
Himself the iniquities of us all and had to
be shown " hard things " and be made " to
drink the wine of sorrow " that His be-
loved people might be delivered (Ps. lix.),
but those angelic ministers of God's Justice
felt and wept for the poor Mother. In the
Picture they are represented showing the
vision of " the hard things and the wine
of sorrow "to the Child Victim, but it is
with sorrowful, pitying eyes fixed on the
poor Mother's face.
Like those holy Angels we should feel for
Our Blessed Mother and sympathise with
her in the sorrows of her Divine Son, at
the same time remembering that it was
sin inflicted all those sorrows and wounds.
And our own sins, too. Whatever Jesus
suffered from Bethlehem to Calvary, in
Mary's arms as on the arms of the Cross,
it was sin did it all. "For the sins of my
people have I smote Him." Our sins,
therefore, added to the grief of His wounds.
See, then, how the Blessed Mother looks.
She looks, not at the Angels, nor even on
her Son in His great terror, but at us. And
those sad and somewhat reproachful eyes
222 An m<.\ig'oe<Mi síor-óaTíiiac is éiae
Dá 0^1$ fin "oo óui|A Áf bpeACAi-óe-nA Le
CéA]M"Ó A ópéAÓC. UugAlt) pÁ tlTDeApA, ITlAf
j'oin, fiiA^ -peAoATiii ÁjA tnAtAiiA "ÓeAnnuijce.
Ilí ^n tiA tiAin^eAlAit) péAóATin fí, nÁ Af a
triAC, péin, 1 n--A ó|\it eAjlA, aóc ofiAinne.
vVgUf. tU\ fÚlA "OUliAOA fO 50 Úpuil flAII All
geAjAAiti optA cuifiT) triAi^ Atcuinje o|iAiTine
eijAge Af Ati bpeACui"óeAcc Aguf jati aii
lo-obAipc beAg "00 beic A5 puLAing niAf
JeAtt oíAAinn peAfCA. pÁ mA^A óAnAm 'f An ■duah :
" Ace If "Oo fÚT) rÁ -oo fíilA A5 pléi-óe linn,
Cé 5U]i op&inne -péACAi-o, glAo'ix) :
SCAOil lem' l^eAnb, a peACACA,
ílÁ céAfAix) peAfCA SlÁnvii"óe ah c]'A05aiL "
Aistin5 liiiiine péiii i "OCAoit) r\A
Hí'L Am^AAf riÁ jiif ttiinic Aiftinj ■óubAC aj5
Á|\ TTlACAiiv beAiiinnJce -pein 1 ■dcaoiO a |\aiD le
ceAóc. TlÁf CAiiAjiigeA'o An bfAC A|\ ieAc-
CAoib 'fAn UeAmpolt le lÁitti Ónneoin ]^Á^X>
péin Aguf An teAnú 1 n-A glAic Aije ? " péA6-
ATó," A^t feifeAn, "' towoA "ouine 1 nlofi^Ael
50 bpuit An teAnb yo cóifvijce le Iiajató a
•ocuicime Aguf a n-Aifeijige, Aguf niA|\ óótfiAjicA
50 nT)éAnpAn í f Á]Mi5A"ó. Agnf "oeAnpAit) cIai-o-
eArti "o'AnAm péin no $onA"ó " (I^iúca]^ ii. 34, 35).
A|\ nóf A mic "OiA-OA, bí fé 1 n"OÁti "oi
" nA beA|\cA c|MiAt)A "DO feicfin A^uf pior»
An Dpóni 'DO ól."
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 223
of hers plead with us to give up sin and no
longer to make the poor little Victim suffer.
So we sing in the hymn :
" But for Him thy eyes are pleading,
While on us they look and cry :
' Sinners, spare my Child — your Saviour,
Seek not still to crucify ! ' "
MARY S OWN VISION OF COMING
SORROWS
We cannot doubt but the Mother had
often her own sad vision of what was to
come. Was not the veil drawn aside by the
hand of the Prophet Simeon in the Temple
\vhen he held her Child in his arms ?
"Behold," he said, "this Child is set for
the fall and for the resurrection of many in
Israel, and for a sign which shall be
contradicted. And thy own soul a sword
shall pierce " (Luke ii. 34, 35). Like her
Divine Son she would be " shown hard
things and made to drink the wine of
sorrow."
Here is how " Mary's Vision " is pictured
by our own Irish-speaking people. There
is no part of Ireland where a version is not
found, and, as it must be, centuries old.
224 Ar niAi^-oeAii sloR-óAt!)UAó is éiue
Seo rnAp ouipit) Uióc íaOahca iia 5^^''^'^5^
fiof A|t " Aiflmg 11^l11l^e." lli'l, Aon ■oútAij 1
ii(5^ifiinii 5An innfinr "oe'n Aifling fee te
pAgÁit Ann, Aguf ni -pulÁi|\ a belt i inbéAlAit) nA
iTOAOine te céA'ocAib t)liA"óAn. Seo inn^ inc aca :
" An cot)Ia-ó fin o]>c, a liiÁCAifi ?
" 11Í VieA-ó Acc Aiflin5, a n'lic nA pÁife."
" CiA An Aifltn5, A iTiÁrAti\ ?
" 5° t^A'í» C'J A5 "OO fCIU1]lfeAll, A5 "Oo plvtcÁil,
A5 T)o ceAnjAl Le pileAji ctoc,
A5 "Oo céAfAX) If A5 X)o fÓ-céAfAX),
*Oo CV11T) folA bjieASA beAnnuigce
'H-A -pfotAnA't) 50 caIatti teAC,
An cfleA5 niTTie -OA CAiceArii pó "Oo ■oeif."
SeA-ó, x>o gonAt) a hAtiAm te ctAi-oeAtr
■oobjióin, Aguf "OO ciApAt) Í te Aiftinjíb
•ocAoib céAfCA A tTlic Aguf Á|\ bpeACAiiie-nA
t)'éi5in " tnÁCAi|A Áf n'Oobpón " "oo "óéAnArh t)
A|t "ocúif -put A |\Áini5 T)1 beic mAf " itlÁtAif
• Síop-óAbtAAó " A^Ainne.
0 A "ÓIA tllteAÓOttlAÓCAÓ nA UjAÓCAIfe, X?
tug "ouinn 1 5CóniAl|V tifpAinie ITlACf AtfiAil
"Oo tÍlÁtAn "Ró-nAomtA -pi tei-oeAt Áifite n<
Sío]A-ó AbfAó, ceA-ouig "oe Daii|\ "Oo 5t^ÁfA 5<
nT)éAnpA|v finn "oo óofAinc te buAn-óomAijici
nA Sjot^-TtlA15'01ne piofi-jtAine 1Tlui|\e céAT)n
te tinn 5AÓ Att^uijte Ajuf finn A5 jtuAifeAó"
C|\é'n -pAogAt 1 T»C|\eó 50 ■ocuittitnit) nu^l
•ÓUAtgAf T)0 fíOJt-pilAfCAltC T)'pA5Ált tlA1C ^
tfiAijieAf pÁ fénTi te f AogAt nA fAogAt. Amen
Xv
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