Monday, February 08, 2016

The Virgin Mary protected Sri Lanka during World War II




* February 8 – Our Lady of Casimir (Poland, 1411)  * The Virgin Mary protected Sri Lanka during World War II ----- A Moment with Mary --

Une Minute avec Marie
An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association

February 8 – Our Lady of Casimir (Poland, 1411) 

The Virgin Mary protected Sri Lanka during World War II


On February 8, 2014, Pope Francis received in audience at the Vatican a group of Catholics from Sri Lanka living in Italy, on a pilgrimage to Rome for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the consecration of the Church of Sri Lanka to the Blessed Virgin.

Three shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary are important centers of pilgrimage for Catholics in Sri Lanka: Our Lady of Madhu (northwest), Our Lady of Matara (south) and Our Lady of Lanka (west). The shrine of Lanka was built in thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary for protecting Sri Lanka from invasion during World War II.

The French archbishop of Colombo (Sri Lanka’s capital), Mgr Jean Marie Masson (1938-1947), an Oblate of Mary Immaculate (OMI), had vowed in 1940 that if the island escaped the horrors of war he would build a basilica to the Virgin as a votive offering.

Under his leadership, the island was dedicated to Mary, and in 1946 he received the green light from the Vatican to build the church and dedicate it to the Virgin Mary under the title of “Our Lady of Lanka.” In 1948, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Virgin of Sri Lanka protectress of the island nation.

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