Our Lady of Angels Church (also called Église Notre-Dame des Anges, White
Chapel, Kaps Koil) is the fourth oldest church in Puducherry, a Union
territory in South India.
The original structure was built in Greco Roman architecture by Napoleon III
in 1855, with the architect being Louis Guerre.
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Sculpture of Joan of Arc in front of the church
From a young
age, she claimed to hear divine voices, including those of St. Michael
the Archangel, St. Margaret of Antioch, and St. Catherine of Alexandria.
These voices guided her to lead France to victory in the Hundred Years'
War and to see Charles VII crowned as the rightful king.
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Her unwavering piety and commitment to her divine mission, even in the
face of capture and execution, solidified her status as a religious
icon. Joan's spiritual life was profoundly Christocentric and Marian,
and she was known for her compassion, courage, and purity. She
inspired many with her faith and became a symbol of divine
intervention and national liberation.
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Joan of Arc's mystical importance lies in her ability to inspire
others through her faith and her role as a divine messenger. Her
canonization as a saint in 1920 further cemented her legacy as a
spiritual warrior.
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Our Lady of the Angels
The cult of Our Lady of the Angels is
characterized by its deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, particularly in
her role as the Queen of Angels.
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The cult emphasizes the close connection between the Virgin Mary and
the Holy Angels. This is reflected in various religious observances
and prayers that highlight her role as the Queen of Angels.
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The cult has historical roots, with early references to the invocation
of Mary as the Queen of Angels in the Litany of Loreto. The
Porciuncula Indulgence, associated with St. Francis of Assisi, is also
linked to this devotion.
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While the cult has a strong presence in specific regions, such as the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles, it also has a broader, transnational
appeal. The devotion to Our Lady of the Angels is celebrated in
various parts of the world, reflecting its universal significance2.
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The cult fosters a sense of belonging to a national community and its
cultural mission, while also emphasizing personal hopes and wishes,
especially for emigrants and their specific situations.
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Churches and chapels dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels often feature
architectural and artistic elements that reflect this devotion, such
as statues, paintings, and other religious art.
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Mary with the child in her arms
Devotees are welcomed at the
entrance to the church, on the right-hand side, by Mary with the child
in her arms.
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The caption reads: «I will praise you before your angels. Ps 137».
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Saint Peter
And the devotees are welcomed, on the left side,
by Saint Peter.
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The caption reads: «You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church.»
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Saint Anthony with the child on his harms
Flanked, on the
left, by Saint Anne and the young Virgin. And on the right by Saint Rita
of Cascia.
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Saint Francis embracing Christ on the cross
Flanked by the
Archangel Michael, on his right. And by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, on his
left.
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Main chapel of the church
Above Christ on the cross is the
Virgin flanked by two angels.
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Our Lady of Good Health
Our Lady of Good Health, also known
as Our Lady of Vailankanni, is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary
by devotees. She is said to have appeared twice in the town of
Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, India, in the 16th to 17th centuries.
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The devotion is based on three reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary
in the 16th and 17th centuries. The first apparition involved a young
shepherd boy who offered milk to Mary and her child. The second
apparition involved a lame boy who was healed after offering
buttermilk to Mary. The third apparition involved Portuguese sailors
who were saved from a storm and promised to build a church in her
honor.
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The shrine is known for miraculous healings, and many devotees visit
seeking physical and spiritual healing.
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The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as the "Lourdes of
the East," attracts millions of pilgrims annually, especially during
the feast day on September 8th.
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The shrine plays a significant role in the cultural and spiritual life
of the region, with an annual novena drawing nearly 5 million pilgrims
each year.
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Pope John XXIII raised the shrine to the status of a minor basilica in
1962, acknowledging its importance in the Catholic faith.
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Chapel with the Tabernacle
On the left we can see Our Lady
of Lourdes.
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Chapel of Saint Joseph with the child in his arms
On the
right side we can see the Infant Jesus of Prague.
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Prayer to Our Lady of the Angels
«O OUR LADY OF ANGELS, hear the prayer of your children who have
recourse to you with confidence.
Your eyes, full of tenderness, assure us of continual maternal
assistance and You are truly our sweet Queen and our hope. O Holy
Mother, obtain for us the forgiveness of our faults, help our will to
keep us far from sin and indifference so that we may be worthy of
calling you our Mother.
O divine Mother, bless our homes, our work, our rest by giving us serene
peace. Help those who have no support, those who have no bread, those
who are discouraged, those who are sick or on the point of death.
Bless us, as your favorite children, and with us, we pray that you
bless, by the same maternal impulse, the innocent, the guilty, the
faithful and the lost, the believers and the hesitant.
O OUR LADY OF ANGELS, send the holy angels to defend us and repel the
cruel enemy far from us. Bless all humanity so that men, recognizing
themselves as children of God and your children, may find in love, true
peace and true good. Amen.
Hail Mary... Glory to the Father... Our Lady of Angels - Pray for us»
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See Also
Source
Location
Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Puducherry
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Puducherry
Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram