* September 24 – Our Lady of Mercy – Cozumel, the first Marian shrine (Haiti, 1518)   * The strong bond between the Haitian people and Our Lady of Perpetual Help  --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association  September 24 – Our Lady of Mercy – Cozumel, the first Marian shrine (Haiti, 1518)   The strong bond between the Haitian people and Our Lady of Perpetual Help  ​Image from http://www.catholictradition.org Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola in the West Indies (now shared by two independent countries, the Dominican Republic and Haiti), when he discovered the Americas on October 12, 1492. From Hispaniola, home of the first European settlements in the Americas, evangelization and Marian devotion quickly spread. In Haiti, four out of the five cathedrals are dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and originate more or less directly from the first period of European presence on the island. In the rest of the country, many other parishes are named after the Virgin Mary. From 1882, the time of the great smallpox epidemic, to the nation's consecration in 1942, during World War II, an increasingly strong bond was formed between the people of Haiti and the Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Mary of Nazareth Team Columbus landing on Hispaniola (Wikipedia) www.mariedenazareth.com Replica of the Santa María, Columbus' flagship during his first voyage, at his Valladolid house (Wikipedia) Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen. Share A Moment with Mary and give your loved ones the opportunity to discover a new aspect of the mystery of the Mother of God each day.