OUR LADY OF CAROLLE

 Day 54: Jul 03



Before the evolution of modern cars and technologies, transportation was extremely difficult, especially for those who have to travel in extreme weather conditions like storms and snow. Despite the hard realities on the journey, people were often forced to travel. Travels were not like holiday trips or picnics, as we envisage today. Wars, famine, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, avalanche, etc. were some of the many reasons that made such tiresome travels. Many such travelers trust in God in the faith that the journey would come to a pleasant ending. It is no wonder why we have so many shrines on the wayside, especially in Europe. This was even more true in the Middle ages. Such shrines range from being just a simple cross to a massive church. Travelers stop by them to take a break from their journey to pray for their intentions.

Tradition has it that on July 3, 1418 a Swiss soldier came across with the statue of Our Lady known as Our Lady of la Carolle or Our Lady of Carole, situated at the corner of the Rue aux Ours, built in the 13th century. The Rue aux Ours is now a short street that begins at Rue Saint-Martin and ends at the Boulevard Sebastopol in Paris, France.

It is said that the Swiss soldier came upon the shrine of the Blessed Virgin after having left a tavern. He was probably intoxicated when he drew his sword and repeatedly struck the statue of the Blessed Virgin with the weapon for no known reason. The statue of Our Lady of Carole then began to bleed profusely, as if made of flesh and blood, and wounded by the blows.

The citizens who had observed the sacrilege were outraged and followed the soldier as he fled from the scene of his crime. The man was eventually caught, apprehended and then brought before the Chancellor where he was sentenced to death for the outrage.

In remembrance of this incident, and in expiation for the crime, there was a popular festival that took place on the Rue aux Ours every year. There were fireworks, and a wax figure representing the sacrilegious wretch who had struck the image of the Blessed Virgin was set ablaze. This festival continued until the French Revolution brought an end to the traditional observance.


Let Us Pray with St Justin Russolillo

"O Mary, O Mary!

Grant that we may always enjoy

the benefits of the queenship of your motherly heart,

of your sovereign protection and generosity.

Obtain that we may imitate Jesus and you,

that we may be united to Jesus and to you

through your grace on earth

in order to remain for all eternity

united to you and to Jesus in glory."

(Consecrations, trans. & publ. Louis Caputo, Vocationist Editions, Florham Park, 2021, p. 213)

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