Consolatrix afflictorum

« Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home » (Jn 19, 27)

« My Immaculate Heart shall be your refuge and the road that shall lead you to God. » (Promise of Our Lady of Fatima, 13th June 1917)

Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted – Patroness of the town of Luxembourg and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

One of the most beautiful gifts that God has given us is Our Blessed Mother in Heaven who holds each one of us in her heart, interceding every day on our behalf to her Son, Jesus Christ.

We can always turn towards Mary.

History

Mary’s maternal care has always been felt throughout the centuries by the inhabitants of Luxembourg.

After the decades of famine, war and epidemics, in the depths of their misery, the Luxembourgers have called upon the Mother of God for help in their needs.

On the 10th October 1666, the town of Luxembourg was solemnly consecrated to Our Lady and an epidemic ceased miraculously; the town was also protected from a war.

The Provinces of Luxembourg then put the whole of the Province under the protection of Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted and thus, Mary became the Patroness of the Duchy of Luxembourg.

Devotion to Mary was further strengthened by the installation of copies of the original statue of Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted in churches and chapels.

Since then, love for Mary has grown amongst the people in union with the miracles that accompanied this love. In thanksgiving, a feast called the Octave was instituted in 1840 and which to this day is one of the major events of the year. For fifteen days, in April or May, Christians go on pilgrimage to the capital of Luxembourg to pay tribute to Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted.

On the 20th June 1870, Pope Pius IX raised the apostolic vicariate to the Bishopric of Luxembourg and the parish Church of Notre Dame (of Our Lady) situated in the town centre was raised to the rank of a Cathedral church.

To access devotional hymns, to which the bells of the Cathedral ring out, click here (O Mamm léif Mamm).

Our Patroness, Our Queen, Our Mother, Ave Maria. We thank you!

Salve Regina
Hail holy Queen, mother of mercy, hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us.
And after this our exile show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Amen!