But we have also pointed out that prayer can stave off storms (at Medjugorje -- where dramatic events continue -- the Blessed Mother said that through prayer and fasting we can even suspend the laws of nature), and precisely this may have occurred. Twice in just a week hurricanes have threatened New Orleans, and in the case of Hurricane Lili, devastation seemed all but certain. At one point it was a category-four as it hovered over the Gulf of Mexico -- a catastrophic level for this city -- and such storms virtually always gain strength over the warm gulf.

But somehow -- perhaps inexplicably -- this storm dropped to just a category-one before it hit the Louisiana coast. Wednesday night its winds were 145 mph. By midday Thursday, though, winds had fallen to 70 mph -- making it a tropical storm instead of a hurricane. Hurricane experts have been admitting their perplexity and scrambling for answers. They have never seen anything quite like it. As hurricane center meteorologist Lixion Avila stated, it will be the subject of "many Ph.D. dissertations.”

We think it had to do with the prayers of all those faithful in Louisiana -- all the Christian prayer warriors -- and perhaps also with a famous statue that has warded off disaster before. We speak here of a truly graced chapel and statue dedicated precisely to the Blessed Mother and her prompt rescue.  It is under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor ("succor" means "aid" or "help"), and the accounts of how quickly the Blessed Mother has granted requests under this title -- even truly major requests -- are legion. "Under this title the Most Blessed Virgin has so often manifested her power and goodness that the religious have unbounded confidence in her," say the chronicles of the nuns who maintain this particular devotion (and who doubtless were praying away the storm). The chapel is at the Ursuline Convent in the city of New Orleans. It is truly one of the holiest places on the American continent. And the statue itself is the most famous miraculous image in U.S. history (along with a statue of Mary known as La Conquistadora in Santa Fe, New Mexico).

Although, compared to Europe, America has very few sites of miracles, this statue ranks with the most ancient and remarkable. It reminds one of the power felt at Montserrat. Again Mary holds the Child, her gown gold, a crown on both her head and that of Jesus, Who holds a small globe with a Cross on top (just like the globe depicted in the Miraculous Medal apparitions). Jesus and Mary are looking in different directions as if each are tending to different but equally pressing matters.

That this statue should have a link to the Miraculous Medal is not surprising in that its history involves France and once again the horrible Revolution. The convent was founded in 1727 and had set about educating the children of European colonists as well as local slaves and Indians. They were the first nuns to arrive in what is now the United States and they founded the oldest school for girls in America. In 1800, when Louisiana was ceded back to France, the good Ursuline sisters were afraid that the horrors of the French Revolution would spread to America. The territory of Louisiana was bouncing between English, French, and American hands, and the nuns, knowing what had happened to their sister nuns in Europe, certainly didn't want to see the French take permanent control. The pope himself, Pius VII, would soon be under arrest in Rome, a captive of Napoleon.

Most of the nuns fled to Havana, Cuba, but seven of the Ursuline sisters remained, and when Louisiana passed into the control of the United States, they anxiously sent President Jefferson a letter asking if their property rights would be honored by the new government. The response from Jefferson is still kept at the convent. "I have received, holy sisters, the letter you have written me wherein you express anxiety for the property vested in your institutions by the former governments of Louisiana," wrote the President. "The principles of the Constitution and government of the United States are a sure guarantee to you that it will be preserved to you sacred and inviolate, and that your institution will be permitted to govern itself according to its own voluntary rules, without interference from the civil authority... Be assured it will meet all the protection which my office can give it."

It was a historic statement but it didn't quite end the Ursulines' worries. There were other problems. They were short staffed. The work was overwhelming. And things got nearly desperate when a mainstay of the community, Mother St. Xavier Farjon, died in 1810. That caused another nun, Sister St. Andre Madier, to appeal to a cousin of hers back in France. The cousin was named Mother St. Michel Gensoul. Sister Andre asked her to come to the U.S. and help the struggling Ursulines.

Mother St. Michel had escaped the deadly wrath of the French Revolution and had much work to do in her own land. France was a mess. Religious communities were under the duress of Napoleon. But Mother St. Michel also realized that the Ursulines in the United States might cease to exist without her help. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, she went to Bishop Fournier of Montpelier and requested leave.

One can imagine the bishop's reaction. He needed Mother St. Michel where she was. He couldn't afford to lose another nun. So many had died the revolution or fled. "The Pope alone can give this authorization," he told Mother St. Michel. "The Pope alone!"

That was tantamount to refusal, for it was virtually impossible at that time to communicate with the Pope, who was under arrest. Not only was he in the distant city of Rome and not only was mail far less than what it is in our day, but Pius VII had been cut off from the world by Napoleon's men, who held him in custody as they waited to transport him to Fontainebleau. We don't need too much history here. We need only know that the Pope's jailers had received strict instructions not to allow communication. Thus, writing to him was at best a waste of time, an act of folly.

But that didn't stop Mother St Michel. She knew the Virgin Mary and she knew that if it was God's will, Our Blessed Mother could do anything. With that trust did Mother St. Michel pen a letter to the pontiff on December 15, 1808, setting forth the reason why she wanted to aid her sister nuns in America. "Most Holy Father," she wrote, "I appeal to your apostolic tribunal. I am ready to submit to your decision. Speak. Faith teaches me that you are the voice of the Lord. I await your orders. From your holiness, `Go' or `Stay' will be the same to me."

When no opportunity arose for getting the letter out of France, Mother St. Michel prayed before a statue of the Blessed Virgin. "O Most Holy Virgin Mary," she said, "if you obtain a prompt and favorable answer to my letter, I promise to have you honored in New Orleans under the title of `Our Lady of Prompt Succor.'"

Previously Mary had been known as Our Lady of Perpetual Succor. There was an ancient and miraculous painting under that title on the island of Crete. Like Our Lady of Good Counsel, this image was moved to Rome during the Turkish invasions. There its great and quick powers were noted when a paralyzed man was immediately healed after the image passed near his home in procession. Countless other miracles were attributed to the image. It was also known as "Our Lady of Never-Failing Help" and "Our Lady of Ever-Enduring Succor." Like the later statue, it shows Mary holding her Child, both crowned, both looking in different directions, the Madonna styled in the Byzantine fashion and gazing at those who looked upon her.

But now there was a new title, a new twist on the ancient name, and a new series of miracles. Soon after her prayer Mother St. Michel's letter finally left Montpelier. The date was March 19, 1809. And somehow it got to the Pope, who despite the dire need for nuns in France granted Mother St. Michel's request. Just over a month after the letter was sent -- on April 28 -- Pius had a cardinal send Mother St. Michel a letter saying, "Madame, I am charged by Our Holy Father, Pope Pius VII, to answer in his name. His Holiness cannot do otherwise than approve of the esteem and attachment you have fostered for the religious state... His Holiness approves of your placing yourself at the head of your religious aspirants, to serve as their guide during the long and difficult voyage you are about to undertake."

The prayers had worked and they had been astonishingly prompt. Mother St. Michel ordered a statue carved, and Bishop Fournier, overwhelmed by the miracle, requested the honor of blessing it.

The statue of "Our Lady of Prompt Succor" arrived in Louisiana with Mother St. Michel in 1810.

And nearly immediately there were two momentous miracles.

The first occurred in 1812, when a terrible fire erupted in New Orleans, devastating what we now call the French Quarter. That was where the convent was at the time (it has since moved to another part of town). The fire was a true holocaust and, propelled by the wind, was heading right for the Ursuline convent.

That was when one of the nuns placed a small statue of the Virgin on a window facing the fire and Mother St. Michel again began to implore the Virgin. "Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we are lost unless you hasten to our aid!"

It is said that the wind instantly shifted, driving the fire away.

The Ursuline convent was one of the few buildings spared destruction!

Such events show us that nothing is beyond the reach of prayer, no problem, no disaster. Three years after the hellish fire, in 1815, yet more trouble haunted New Orleans during the war between the American and British. By this time Louisiana was a part of the United States, but England was looking to confiscate the former territory. The British arrived near New Orleans on the plains of Chalmette to square off against Andrew Jackson, the famous American general.

This too was an amazing and well-documented miracle. For there was no way the Americans could win. The British had 15,000 troops. The American force was 6,000. It looked like the Americans -- and the city of New Orleans -- were doomed.

The night of January 7 the Ursuline sisters went before the Blessed Sacrament and stayed there through the night. Others joined them in the chapel, praying and weeping before the holy statue. On the morning of January 8 the vicar general offered Mass at the main altar, above which the statue had been placed. The prayers were said in special earnest, for the thundering of cannons had been heard by all in the chapel.

At Communion time -- at the very moment of the Eucharist -- a courier rushed into the chapel to inform all present that the British had been miraculously defeated. They had been confused by a fog and had wandered into a swamp, in full view of the waiting Americans, who fired upon them from unseen positions.

About 2,600 British were lost while the Americans suffered very few casualties.

It was not Our Blessed Mother who killed them British. It was not Mary who initiated battle. But it was the Blessed Virgin who came to the aid of the just who implored her.

"The result seems almost miraculous," admitted a local newspaper, the Picayune. "It was a remarkable victory, and it can never fail to hold an illustrious place in our national history."

General Jackson himself went to the convent to thank the nuns for their prayers. "By the blessing of heaven, directing the valor of the troops under my command, one of the most brilliant victories in the annals of war was obtained," he proclaimed to his troops, describing the victory in a letter to the vicar as a "signal interposition of heaven."

Rome has officially approved devotion to Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the statue was solemnly crowned through a decree issued by Pope Leo XIII. A Mass of thanksgiving is celebrated on January 8.

The old convent remains the oldest building in the Mississippi valley but no longer houses the statue or convent, which are now located on State Street. But the feeling around the statue is still tangible. The graces still flow. Many favors are still granted. We see in this case the powerful and fast way the Virgin can operate when pious people come to her in faith. We see also the same lesson as from Saragossa, that the graces are associated with her Son. The great 1815 victory came after a night in front of the Blessed Sacrament and then was announced during holy Communion, leaving us no doubt as to the source -- the wellspring -- of Mary's miracles.

In our own lives we have many needs we would like to see met as soon as possible, urgent worries, compelling concerns. When we want a quick answer, when we want a quick favor, even in an "impossible" situation, this is a devotion that will accomplish such requests if they are the will of the Father.

And so we pray:

Lord Jesus, we know You are the ultimate power. We know that when You grant graces through Your mother they can come to us faster than the speed of light, with unfathomable power. Dear Lord, let us grow closer to You through Our Lady of Prompt Succor, that we may please God and that He may come to our assistance in a hasty fashion.

Grant us the faith, that we too may see miracles in our lives, and grant us the inspiration and grace to pray fervently during Mass and at the Blessed Sacrament.

And oh Mary, you have come so many times through history to aid your children. Come now to our aid. Come to the prompt aid of our families. Come to the aid of the United States, which has sunken into materialism and unholiness and darkness.

Save us, Blessed Mother. Save our nation. Save the heritage that men like General Jackson fought for. Save this great country founded upon the precepts of Christianity. Bring back holiness, oh Lord. Bring back goodness. Rescue our nation as quickly as possible!

In our own lives, instill a fervent faith and love. Oh Blessed Mother, let us feel love for all human beings. Let our hearts soften. Let us become your vessels of purity and charity.

(Response: be with us):

Oh Virgin so gracious,

Oh Virgin who saved France,

Oh Virgin, who beckons New Orleans,

Oh Virgin who can save our own nation,

Oh Virgin of quick response,

Oh Virgin who instills charity,

BE WITH US

Ejaculation:

Virgin Mary of Prompt Succor, be ever and quickly attendant to our needs!

Angelus:

V: The angel spoke God's message to Mary

R: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit

(Hail Mary, full of grace...)

V: "I am the lowly servant of the Lord:

R: Let it be done to me according to your word."

(Hail Mary...)

V: And the Word became flesh

R: and dwelt amongst us.

(Hail Mary...)

V: Pray for us, holy Mother of God,

R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Lord, fill our hearts with your grace: once, through the message of an angel, you revealed to us the incarnation of your Son; now, through His suffering and death, lead us to the glory of His resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us further pray:

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 did once save 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. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, O Mary Immaculate, you are the model of all virtues, the path by which we go to Jesus, the mysterious channel through which divine favors are imparted to us. You have such power over the Heart of Jesus, hasten to our assistance and obtain our earnest request (here name the favor desired).

In you, O Mary, we put our trust. Let it not be said that our hopes have been frustrated. O Mother most chaste, be our strength against temptation, our help in danger, our consolation in sorrow, but especially Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of our death. Amen.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (Repeat three times and recite the Hail Mary and Our Father.)

Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor:

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who invoke you with confidence, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who are devout toward the Infant Jesus, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining a lively faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for sustaining the hope of Christians, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining and persevering in charity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing the law of God, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing perseverance in virtue and good works, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every spiritual necessity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the revolt of self-will, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the occasion of sin, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temptation, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the evil spirit, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining contrition, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those wishing to re-enter the path of salvation, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the conversion of sinners, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temporal necessity, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every affliction, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of afflicted families, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the sick and the poor, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against contagious diseases and epidemics, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every accident, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by fire, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against lightning and tempest, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by flood, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of travelers, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of navigators, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the shipwrecked, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of our country, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor in time of war, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those aspiring to the holy priesthood and the religious life, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of laborers in the Lord's vineyard, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of missionaries who spread the faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor of our Holy Father the Pope, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for those searching for the faith, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of the Church, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of death, pray for us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the deliverance of the souls in purgatory, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Almighty and Eternal God, Who sees us surrounded by so many dangers and miseries, grant in Your infinite goodness that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Divine Son, may defend us from the evil spirit and protect us against all adversities, that always and with prompt succor she may deliver us from every evil of soul and body, and safely guide us to the kingdom of heaven, through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.