Did you know that the devotion to Our Mother of Good Counsel dates to the 15th century? When faced with difficult decisions, the faithful throughout the centuries have looked to Our Mother of Good Counsel for wisdom and guidance. Today, we invite you to reflect on a prayer to Our Mother of Good Counsel and virtually explore the chapel where she is honored in the Basilica.
History of the Devotion
On the Feast of St. Mark in 1467, a cloud descended upon the ruins of a fifth-century church in Genazzano, Italy. Upon its disappearance, the people of the village discovered a small picture of the Madonna and Child on a thin sheet of plaster. The miraculous image remained delicately balanced on a ledge in the church for years, even surviving a bombing during World War II, and came to be known as Our Mother of Good Counsel. Experience the Basilica’s Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel in immersive views below!
Prayer to Our Mother of Good Counsel
The Our Mother Good Counsel Chapel includes the following prayer for wisdom:
We turn to you, Our Mother of Good Counsel, as we seek to imitate your faith-filled life. May we be led by the same Wisdom which God sent forth from heaven to guide you along unfamiliar paths and through challenging decisions.
Keep us united in mind and heart as we go forward in joyful hope toward the grace-filled freedom that Augustine recommends.
O Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, hear our prayer as we look to you for guidance. Pray for us to our loving and merciful Father, and to your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, giver of all wisdom, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Source:
Basilica Guide and Tour Book, Dr. Geraldine Rohling
Light a Candle at the Basilica
We invite you to present your intentions to Our Mother of Good Counsel by lighting a candle today at the National Shrine. Vigil candles burn in the chapels throughout the upper church and lower crypt level of the National Shrine. Each candle represents the faith of the supplicants and their fervent prayers entrusted to the loving intercession of the Blessed Mother.