Our Lady of Mercy
Notre Dame de Miséricorde, Marian holy cards collection,
ML.031 Box 18 circa 1675-2018. Marian Library,
University of Dayton Libraries, Dayton, Ohio.
Country
Cuba
Description
Images of Our Lady of Mercy usually depict Our Lady as standing alone. Below Our Lady are groups of people. In images of Our Lady of Mercy, she also holds up a large to cloak over the people kneeling at her feet. This indicates that Our Lady is protecting them. The people sheltered by Our Lady’s cloak normally kneel and are typically painted at a much smaller scale compare to the Virgin herself. These people represent all members of Christian society, which also represents the local population. Legend has it that Our Lady of Mercy appeared to Mariana 2 times. Mariana was a dedicated Spaniard who gave up a vast fortune inherited from his parents when his parents died when he was at age 20. Instead, Mariana decided to serve Jesus Christ in a ministry dedicated to rescuing captive Christians who were arrested by the Muslims. Mariana was able to do this work by pretending to be a merchant in Valencia. Later on, in 1203, Mariana claimed that he received a vision of his mission, and would soon after create an association called “Los Mercedarios”, or otherwise known as the “Order of Mercy”. Flash forward to 2018, Mariana a second apparition on August 1st to 2nd. This Mariana claimed that his second vision was of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this vision, Mariana said that Our Lady asked him to found a religious group dedicated to the liberation of the prisoners. Mariana would go on to create this group, which would go on the call “The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy of the Redemption of Captives”. Due to this legend, the Blessed Virgin of Mercy, is proclaimed Patron of the Captives. Our Lady’s feast is celebrated on the 24th of September. Aside from Cuba, Our Lady is also a patronne saint of Barcelona, Dominican Republic, and Paita.
“All About Mary.” Our Lady of Mercy Symbols : University of Dayton, Ohio, udayton.edu/imri/mary/o/our-lady-of-mercy-symbols.php.
“Our Lady of Mercy / Ricardo Medina.” Translating Cuba, 29 Sept. 2012, translatingcuba.com/our-lady-of-mercy-ricardo-medina/.
“Virgin of Mercy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Mar. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_of_Mercy.
Researched by Aneudy De Jesus
Popular Devotions
Prayer:
“Virgin of Mercy, Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church, refuge of the sinful! To you I draw close, filled with love and confidence, knowing that you always listen to your children, for you are the Mother of Mercy.
I ask of you, dearest Mother, that my faith, hope and charity may grow and strengthen. That I may always live as a true child of God, your son, Madre mía.
I dedicate to you this day all that I have and all that I am: my life, my work, my happiness and my suffering. I want to be completely yours. I want to follow your footsteps along the path that leads me to Christ, our Redeemer and Liberator.
Do not forsake me, Heavenly Mother. Grant what I ask of you from my heart, for me and for all those who suffer imprisonment for their causes. I pledge my everlasting gratitude for your favors and to love you more each day.
Lady of Mercy, pray for me and for all prisoners, and grant them the grace to be freed from the chains of earth and from sin through love for your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever.”
Amen.
Hail Mary
Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres.
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen.