Our Lady of Consolation is one of the oldest titles of honour given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, dating back to the second century. In the seventeenth century Mary was invoked by this title by Catholics in Luxembourg which was then ravaged by the plague, and as a result, many miraculous cures and healing were attributed to her. In 1652 Pope Innocent X encouraged devotion to Our Lady of Consolation by establishing a confraternity. In the Litany of Loreto Our Lady of Consolation is supplicated as the “Comforter of the afflicted.”
O Mother of God, Mother of Consolation, and my most dear Mother who is sensible of my miseries and infirmities, my poverty and distress, my mourning and sighs, look on me, and have compassion on me.And as now, having a distaste for the bitter waters of this sea of tears, I am endeavouring to pass through the thorny passage of this tiresome pilgrimage to the reviving spring of divine grace. Deign, therefore, O heavenly Consolatrix, to refresh me who, like a famished hart, seeking to alleviate its thirst at some limpid stream, make my blessings. Wherefore, most gracious Queen, I make you an offering of my whole heart, confessing that it is through you that I receive the many favours which God is pleased to confer on me, and I beseech you that, through the charity with which you love your Divine Son, Jesus, and through that love which moved you to enroll me as your servant, however of that favour, to obtain for me the full remission of my sins, an increase of faith, hope and charity, the perfect accomplishment of God’s will in all that concerns me, and finally a happy death, at which period let the light of your sweet countenance shine on me and protect me from my inveterate foe, and the rigours of Divine Justice, that under your guidance I may arrive at the fountain of everlasting life, the country of eternal brightness, and the vision of the Divine presence and glory, to sing forever in your company the everlasting praises of my God, and love Him without end. Amen.On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYOLOGY:
The prophets Osee and Aggseus.
In Africa, the birthday of St. Jucundian, a martyr who was drowned in the sea for Christ.
In the diocese of Bourges, St. Laurian, bishop of Seville and martyr, whose head was taken to Seville in Spain.
At Sirmium, Saints Innocent and Sebastia, with thirty other martyrs.
At Madaurus in Africa, the martyr Namphanion and his companions, who he strengthened for the combat and led to the crown of martyrdom.
At Cyrene in Lybia, the holy bishop Theodore. In the persecution of Diocletian under the governor Dignian, he was scourged with leaded whips and had his tongue cut out. Finally, however, he died a confessor.
The same day, the birthday of the Saints Flavian II, bishop of Antioch, and Elijah, bishop of Jerusalem, who were driven into exile by the emperor Anastasius in defence of the Council of Chalcedon and went victoriously to God.
At Augsburg in Bavaria, St. Uldaric, a bishop illustrious for extraordinary abstinence, liberality, vigilance and the gift of miracles.
At Lisbon, St. Elizabeth, widow, queen of Portugal, whose festival is celebrated on the eighth of this month by order of Pope Innocent XII.
At Tours, the translation of St. Martin, bishop and confessor, and the Dedication of his Basilica, which took place on the anniversary of his elevation to the episcopate some years previously.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
