Our Lady of Prompt Succor National Shrine

Are you in dire need of some divine support? Quickly? Then this is the place be. The building is beautiful and rich with history. The church actually has two wings — one that you enter directly from state street, and a much more circuitous one that you can access by weaving through the school. Don’t be afraid to try it — everyone there was friendly (think Mr. Tumnus but less mythical). The wings meet at the alter for a 3.5D experience (the pews don’t shake so it’s not a true 4D… you’ll need to look for the WWII museum for that). While I can’t guarantee any miracles will happen, you will get a chance to take in 100’s of years of history and some amazing architecture.
Pro-​tip: can’t speak for the state-​street side, but if you chose to enter the school side be on the lookout for the oversized-​novelty Infant of Prague statue.

TO A NEW ORLENIAN, IT’S OUR «LADY OF FATIMA»
How many American cities have their own indigenous patron saint? Our Lady of Prompt Succor (cannonized 1895) refers to a heavily gilded wooden statue brought to New Orleans by Mother Michel Gensoul when she was «promptly» allowed to flee France for New Orleans during the (anti-​Catholic) French Revolution.
MIRACLES
The Ursuline Order prayed to the statue in 1812 for prompt delivery from the Great Fire of New Orleans. It is attributed for the immediate wind shift that saved their convent. In 1815 the citizens prayed to Our Lady for a prompt end to the Battle of New Orleans. It is attributed for the quick victory of General Andrew Jackson over the British and safe delivery of the city. Since then many personal miracles are attributed to Our Lady.
TE DEUM
Word of the prompt end to the Battle of New Orleans occurred during mass at the French Quarter convent on January 8^th, 1815. The Te Deum (a lyrical version of the Apostles Creed) was sung at the end of communion by the appreciative congregation. The Order has held a commemorative annual mass every year thereafter concluding with the Te Deum.
Today I was fortunate to attend the 200^th anniversary mass at this national shrine where the actual statue still resides.