Our Lady of the Mount
Bandra, Mumbai, India (1570)
A beautiful, wooden statue of Our Lady, depicted as the Mother of God was initially brought by the Jesuits from Portugal in 1570 when a simple mud Oratory for private devotion was built near Lands End Bandra, overlooking the Arabian Sea. In 1700, Bandra was invaded by a pirate army of the Muscat Arabs who, ransacked the chapel for treasure. Disappointed in not finding great riches, they chopped off the right forearm of the statue, thinking it was of gold. They also intended to set fire to the church, when a huge army of bees attacked them so cruelly that they were forced to leave. When the Mount Mary Chapel was rebuilt in 1761, the damaged statue was repaired. Over the centuries devotion to this statue grew as numerous favors were granted.
Text and image used with permission.
Source: "365 Days with Mary" by Michael O'Neill
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