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