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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