* September 27 – Our Lady of the Alcazar (Toledo, Spain) – Luxembourg takes Mary for its patroness (1666) * When Luxembourg was Spanish  --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association  September 27 – Our Lady of the Alcazar (Toledo, Spain) – Luxembourg takes Mary for its patroness (1666) When Luxembourg was Spanish  On December 8, 1624, the chaplain and students of the city of Luxembourg’s new college went in procession outside the city walls to install a statue of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. From then on the city began to address their prayers to Mary as to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted. The new pilgrimage is inscribed in the recent religious and ecclesial sensibility introduced by Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1556), the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). At that time, the Duchy of Luxembourg had long lost its political autonomy and was part of the Spanish Netherlands. In 1639, the first "Book of Miracles" mentions some answered prayers and healings that took place before Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted. As the pilgrimage gained popularity, a special week was set aside for the pilgrimage. After the election of the Comforter of the Afflicted as patroness of the city in 1666 and patron-protector of Luxembourg in 1678, her veneration continued to spread. Today, Catholics still observe the Octave and pilgrimages. Source : Michel Schmit web.cathol.lu Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted (Image from http://www.constantinianorder.org/) www.mariedenazareth.com 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.