Our Lady of Vallarpadam

Cochin, Kerala, India (1524) 

 

In 1524, Portuguese missionaries who came with Vasco Da Gama established a chapel at Vallarpadam dedicated to the Holy Spirit, with a picture of Our Lady of Ransom. This chapel was washed away in a flood in 1676. The picture was retrieved from the waters by the Divan of the Maharaja of Cochin - Paliyath Raman  Valiyachan. He donated his land to the construction of a  new church in her honor and also established a perpetual sanctuary lamp which his descendants continue to this day. In 1752, a woman and her child were miraculously saved from the flood waters through the intercession  of Vallarpadamma. The spiritual practice asking for her protection originated at this time and became a popular devotion, especially among fishermen  and sailors.

 

Text and image used with permission.
Source: "365 Days with Mary" by Michael O'Neill

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