May 12th - Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones

[Weedy]

May 12th - Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones
(Virgen de los Desamparados)

Today in Valencia, Spain, it is the feast day of Our Lady of the
Abandoned Ones (Virgen de los Desamparados). In the 15th century, a
confraternity was founded in Valencia to take care of abandoned
children, under the invocation of Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones. The
institute was established but lacked a statue to preside over it.

One day three extraordinarily handsome youths knocked on its door,
asking for asylum. They offered to carve the needed statue in payment
for shelter. They only asked that appropriate material be provided and
that they be left alone and undisturbed in a room to work at ease for
three days. The offer was accepted.

During the three days, the youths remained locked in the room. At the
end of that time, the brothers went to inquire if they needed
anything. The door was locked and no one responded to their requests
to open it. Finally, they forced the door open and entered, but there
was no sign of the three young men.

Instead, in the center of the room they found a majestic and
protective statue of Our Lady that the young men had carved. This
extraordinary fact was followed by countless miracles worked on behalf
of the Virgen de los Desamparados. In 1885 Our Lady of the Abandoned
Ones was proclaimed Patroness of Valencia.


Comments of the late Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira: (died 1995)

Here you see how this devotion to Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones
started. As with so many others, it began with a wonder, a marvel, a
miracle. Those three youths who appeared in Valencia were probably
three Angels who enveloped what they would do in mystery and
expectation.

The fact of being extraordinarily handsome boys asking shelter already
hints of some mystery: Would they be princes or nobles? Perhaps they
were the sons of some family of high lineage who needed to hide their
children for awhile and would later come to retrieve them or place
them elsewhere. Many such conjectures could have been made by the
brothers who received them.

Another enigma was their peculiar proposition. Probably they seemed
capable children, but would they be skillful enough to carve a
beautiful statue? Again, another mystery. Then, the work began, but no
one was permitted to enter or check its development. Some of the
brothers or children who lived in the asylum most probably stood
outside the door to see if they could hear something. Perhaps one
heard a marvelous hymn being sung inside, another would recount that
he was overcome by a supernatural atmosphere emanating from the locked
room.

When the 3 days were over, some of the head brothers went to see what
had been accomplished. Inside the room was complete silence. The
general curiosity grew. They knocked on the door, but there was no
answer. They forced it open, but no one was there. What they found was
a beautiful statue in the center of the room.

The selection found two very good adjectives to describe it: majestic
and protective. It is beautiful to find this combination of majesty
and protection. It signifies the goodness, mercy, and assistance that
come from a sovereign. So the expression of the statue and the name
given it, Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones, fits perfectly with the
institution for which it was made.

At first, the title pertained specifically to the abandoned children.
Then, as its fame spread with miracles, its first sense was amplified
and the statue became Our Lady of all the abandoned, be they children,
adults, or old people. The popularity of the devotion became such that
she was proclaimed Patroness of Valencia and installed in a special
chapel that became a Basilica dedicated to her, the Basilica of Our
Lady of the Abandoned Ones.

Someone once told me this saying of St. Bonaventure that is linked to
the devotion to Our Lady of the Abandoned Ones:

“When all human help fails, it is imperative that we not despair.
For normally in this extreme situation, the divine help of Mary
comes.”

That is, when man is completely abandoned, it is necessary to have
hope, because this is the moment that Our Lady will give her
assistance.

http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j126sdVirgenAbandonment_4-12.htm


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Bible Quote:
What will you? shall I come to you with a rod; or in charity,
and in the spirit of meekness? [1 Corinthians 4:21] DRV


"We ought to deal kindly with all, and to manifest those qualities
which spring naturally from a heart tender and full of Christian
charity; such as affability, love, and humility. These virtues serve
wonderfully to gain the hearts of men, and to encourage them to
embrace things that are more repugnant to nature"
—St. Vincent de Paul

St. Francis Xavier treated everyone with great mildness and
kindness, which drew to him all both small and great, won the hearts
of all and induced all to do what he wished.
("A Year with the Saints". May - Meekness)


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Healing the Spirit

Gentle Jesus,
with faith in Your healing powers
and confidence in Your constant compassion,
I ask you to heal my suffering spirit.
May my soul find rest in Your comforting love
and relief from sorrow and anguish.
Relying on Your love,
I especially ask Your help in

[State your intention(s) here...].

I place my trust in Your power to heal my spirit
from feelings of hopelessness, unrest, and despair.
Amen.