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Our Lady of Prompt Succor
(Means Quick Help) 
Patroness of the State of Louisiana 

History of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Statue

Mother St. Michel Gensoul, an Ursuline Sister from France wished to serve in the New Orleans mission but was told by her bishop that she had to get permission from the Pope who was Pope Pius VII at the time.  Mother St. Michel Gensoul promise Our Lady  she would have her honored under the title of Prompt Succor (quick help) if she would receive a prompt and favorable reply from the Pope.  Mother St. Michel received a prompt reply allowing her to go to New Orleans.   So, Mother St. Michel had a large statue carved, painted in gold, and given the special name of Our Lady of prompt Succor. Mother St. Michel arrived with the Our Lady of Prompt Succor statue in New Orleans at the Old Ursuline Convent on December 30, 1810. On January 7-8, 1815 while the Battle of New Orleans was being fought, the Ursuline Sisters and the women of New Orleans prayed during the night to the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.  There were many odds against them but after winning the Battle of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson publicly acknowledged that the American victory was won by heavenly intervention.  A Thanksgiving Mass has been celebrated each year to commemorate this event.  In 1894, Pope Leo XIII issued a decree granting the "Solemn Coronation of the Miraculous Statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, exposed to public veneration in the chapel of the Ursuline Convent, New Orleans."  For the coronation of the statue,the people of New Orleans donated their jewels for the making of both crowns on the statue, Our Lady  and baby Jesus.  This statue is now positioned  on the altar
of the this National  Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.



History of Sweetheart Statue

The Sweetheart statue is also a very miraculous statue for the Ursuline sisters and the people of New Orleans. This small statue came from France in 1786.   Sr.  Ste Felicite and two other sisters were responding to the call to come to the mission of New Orleans.  Sr. Ste Felicite had many obstacles  preventing her from going to this mission.  Sr. Ste. Felicite found this old statue in the convent attic.  Sr. Ste Felicite prayed  to Our Lady and petitioned that if Our Lady would quickly remove the obstacles for her to go on this mission, she would carry this statue to New Orleans where she promised to do all in her power to have her honored.  The obstacles soon were gone and the sisters went to the mission.  
In 1812 the City of New Orleans was threatened by a great fire; the sisters placed this small statue on a convent window over-looking the fire.  Almost immediately the fire diminished and the convent and the city were saved.  So many prayers to Mary through this statue have been answered that Mother St. Benoit, an Ursuline Sister, said of Our Lady, "Isn't she a Sweetheart!"  The small statue is presently located in the belfry of the inside chapel and a petition box accompanies her for your prayer request!



Our Lady of Prompt Succor National Shrine 

2635 State St
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 866-0200

Ursiline Academy


PRAYERS TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR
Patroness of the State of Louisiana

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, You are after Jesus our only hope.  O Most Holy Virgin, whose merits have raised You high above angel choirs to the very throne of the Eternal and whose foot crushed the head of the infernal serpent, You are strong against the enemies of our salvation.  O Mother of God, You are our Mediatrix most kind and loving.  Hasten, then to our help, and as You once saved Your beloved City from ravaging flames and our Country from an alien foe, do now have pity on our misery, and obtain for us the graces we beg of You.  Deliver us from the wiles of Satan, assist us in the many trials which beset our path in this valley of tears, and be to us truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor now and especially at the hour of our death.  Amen.

O Mary, mother of God, who amid the tribulations of the world, watches over us and over the Church of Your Son, be to us and to the Church, truly, Our Lady of Prompt Succor; make haste to help us in all our necessities, that in this fleeting life You may be our succor, and obtain for us (here ask the particular favor you desire).  Help us to gain life everlasting through the merits of  Jesus, Your Son, Our Lord and Redeemer.  Amen.

NIHIL OBSTAT                                            
PATRICK GILLESPIE                                                     
CENSOR LIBORUM
                                                       
IMPRIMATUR
LUCIEN J. CAILLOUET, P.A.
VICAR GENERAL