Our Lady of Good Hope

We will celebrate Our Lady of Good Hope September 6-7. As you have noticed, the past three years, we’ve been celebrating our churches’ patronal feasts on weekends when possible. So we’ve observed St. Henry on a Sunday nearest July 13; while the Assumption is celebrated most years as a Holy Day of obligation. But what about Our Lady of Good Hope?

Initially, I proposed observing it in January, but upon further research – by Deborah Wright, who helps part-time in several of our offices – I think September 11 (that is, the nearest Sunday) makes more sense, based on the history of the title. Here is some of the story, thanks to Deborah’s work.

It all started in Dijon, France. The title of Our Lady of Good Hope appears to have emerged in France, near Dijon, around the late 11th century. A very old statue of our Lady is still revered in the church there, under this title. Devotion to Our Lady of Good Hope spread into Belgium, where there was a monastery that bore the name, as well as hospitals, schools, orphanages, and religious communities. There were many religious orders and institutions dedicated to Our Lady of Good Hope, but as sometimes happens, many of them strayed off the path and in the 15th century, the local Bishop formally disbanded and abolished them entirely.

In 1513, Dijon was under siege. The Swiss army was marauding across France, and it seemed certain that they would breach the walls of Dijon and destroy it. The people carried the statue of Our Lady of Good Hope from the church around the city, begging her intercession for their deliverance. The next day, September 11, peace was signed, the Swiss withdrew, and the city was spared! In 1515, the people petitioned the Bishop to allow the establishment of a confraternity “to the Honor of God, and of His thrice-holy Mother” in the church of Notre Dame de Dijon. The bishop granted permission; the letter was dated September 2, 1515.

In 1944, Dijon was again occupied, this time by the Nazis. On the evening of September 10, the bishop of Dijon made a public plea to Our Lady of Good Hope to protect the town and its people; during the night, the enemy retreated and French liberators entered on September 11, 1944.  

The liberation of Dijon in 1513 and in 1944 is still celebrated in the parish at Dijon with a novena that begins on September 2 and culminates with a procession and Mass on September 11. It remains a popular destination for pilgrims not just from France, but from all over the world.

How did this reach Miamisburg? The founding pastor of OLGH, Father Francis X. Mauclerc was from France, not far from Dijon. He was the first Marianist ordained on U.S. soil. Then in 1877, Fr. John Kahlenberg came to Miamisburg and oversaw the building and dedication of a new church, renamed “Our Immaculate Lady of Good Hope” (from St. Michael) in 1880. Perhaps that name was chosen in deference to Father Mauclerc?