Pope Leo XIV's Augustinian patron: Our Lady of Consolation feast 8/21

Our Lady of Consolation: Feast 8/21

Pope Leo XIV's order, the Augustinian friars, have 3 patrons:

• Our Lady of Consolation
• St Monica and
• St Augustine

As history reveals,  Our Lady appeared to St Monica to deliver consolation, as Monica wept and prayed for St Augustine's conversion. In her vision, Our Lady handed St Monica the belt, which was later adopted by the Augustinian order. The Consolatrix Afflictorum (Comforter of the Afflicted) is the oldest and most celebrated Augustinian devotion.

• By the 18th century, dying friars' last requests were for a final blessing from an Augustinian through Our Lady of Consolation.
• The "Augustinian Rosary" is called the "Crown of Our Mother of Consolation."
• Historically-dated images exist worldwide, which depict St Monica's vision of Our Lady and the child Jesus along with an Augustinian cincture.

As theater reveals, in the award-winning movie Elizabeth I, Cate Blanchett plays the lead role for the 1998 film. In the scene where her sister, Queen Mary I of England is dying, Mary has 2 dying wishes. Princess Elizabeth is asked to retain Catholicism, the faith of Mary and mother: Catherine of Aragon. In 1538, Henry VIII had been excommunicated for heresy and marrying Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn. Nevertheless, Mary's other dying wish was for the Augustinian blessing, through the "Consolation of the Blessed Virgin." A namesake statue stands in the movie scene's background, holding the Augustinian cords.

As places and popes reveal, below is a small taste where Our Lady of Consolation is honored and by whom.

• Argentina--In 2024, Pope Francis elevated her national shrine to minor basilica
• Belgium--In 2006, Pope Benedict elevated her national shrine to minor basilica
• England--In 1876, her shrine was established, which has miraculously survived all protestant reformations
• France--In 1623, a monastery was built in her honor and over time, 7 churches were dedicated to her
• Germany--In 1987, St John Paul II visited her shrine in Kevelaer
• Iran--In Teheran, her namesake Cathedral is located near the Italian embassy
• Italy--In 1978, St John Paul II elevated her Parma shrine to minor basilica. Processions occur in many other towns.
• Japan--In Nagasaki, the Augustinian church is named for her
• Luxembourg--As the protectress, namesake statues are found in building niches around the capital city.
• Malta--Painted in 1786, the Church of Saint Augustine features the image of Our Lady's apparition to Saint Monica
• Philippines--In 1639, a church was built in her honor. She was declared the patroness of Manila in 2024.
• Poland--6 popes have declared multiple shrines, minor basilicas, paintings and town dedicated to her honor
• Spain--A 14th century statue of her was unearthed in La Mancha, where 2 popes dedicated chapels to house her artifacts.
• United States--Churches, shrines and statues are found in Wisconsin, carried in an annual Philadelphia parade, Indianapolis, etc. Our national shrine and Basilica resides in Carey, Ohio, a sanctioned pilgrimage site. 
• Venezuela--In 1959, Pope John XXIII elevated her national shrine to minor basilica

A Mother's Love. Like St Monica, we all crave consolation, but why Our Lady of Consolation? Pensively, Jesus's mother suffered all her life while awaiting Simeon's prophecies delivered at the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. For 3 hours, Our Lady stood poised at the foot of her Son's crucifixion. Despite St. John’s honor and care for her, she waited years in patience for God to take her home to her Son. As we wait for God to make known His plans, in times of desolation, let us turn to Our Lady of Consolation for a mother's love.

Mother Mary, pray for us.

Jesus, we trust in you.

Sources:

Malta Historical Society (MHS) | web.archive.org

Movie: Elizabeth (1998) - IMDb | imdb.com

Our Lady of Consolation : University of Dayton, Ohio | waybackarchive.org

Our Lady of Consolation - Wikipedia