Fr Nelson Baker ..Marians “Father Nelson Baker had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Victory. His devotion began while on a pilgrimage to Paris, France as a seminarian. He decided then to establish, devotion to Our Lady of Victory in the United States.’
This was the same Church that St Therese a few year after Nelson Baker went too. St Therese writes in ‘Story of a Soul’ ” A Miracle was necessary and it was Our Lady of Victories who worked it…’Finding no help on earth, poor little Therese had also turned towards her Mother of Heaven, and prayed with all her heart that she take pity on her. All of a sudden the Blessed Virgin appeared beautiful to me, so beautiful that I had never seen anything so attractive her face was suffused with an ineffable benevolence and tenderness, but what penetrated to the very depths of my soul was the ‘ravishing simile of the Blessed Virgin.’ At that instant all my pain pain disappeared and two large tears glistened on my eyelashes and flowed down my cheeks silently, but they were tears of unmixed joy.’
St Therese on her visit to Our Lady of Victory years latter ‘ very soon we saw all the marvels of the capital. I myself found only one which filled ,e with delight, Our Lady of Victories.’
When we go to Our Lady of Victory… We will pray before the Statue that moved Fr Nelson Baker and St Therese…And in the Church ‘ the site of this important grace for Therese is commemorated by an altar erected to St Therese and a stained-glass window depicting her visit.’
About the Church ‘ On Sunday, Dec 3, while saying Mass in an almost empty church, he, at the cannon of the Mass, cried out in distress. At that moment he heard a calm distinct voice say very solemnly: ‘ Consecrate your parish to the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary.’ ….’In March 1855, a thanksgiving octave for the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was held. At the end of the octave the statue was seen to move. This happened again and Pope Pius IX took this as a sign of thanks for his act, and ordered the statue to be crowned in June of 1850″
Our Lady of Victory ‘smiled at young Therese and Healed Her.’ and Statue of Our Lady oVictories moved’
Pope Pius IX established that arch confraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at this Church in Paris. And in the Church there are 37,000 plagues of thanksgiving for miracles received…
Fr Baker built a beautiful church ‘Our Lady of Victory’ in Buffalo. And I have received many graces miracles praying at the tomb of Fr Baker..
In April 9 to the 19.. I am leading a pilgrimage to France ‘St Therese and Healing of the Soul’ …
In my spirit and heart…. I can only imagine in great hope that the Church that inspired Fr Baker and St Therese.. will be a graced moment when we pray in front of the Statue of Our Lady of Victory in Paris and carry our requests for healing and miracles..
Many miracles will happened..
Last year.. I wrote a letter to Our Lady of Victories in Paris.. The letter found it way to the pastor desk… and I was officially enrolled in the arch confraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary… in the army of saints with St Therese…
Come with me.. and expect Mary to Simile at you..
Fr. Stefan. I appreciate your kindnes. When I have years ago surgery at Inova Hospital,you gave me the book “Our Lady of Victory, prayers for healing”, and it’s my daily spiritual support.
Today, in the celebration of Saint Therese, she had gratitudes toward our Lady of Victory and always manifest thanks for the blessings given to her. I am wondering to make an appointment to visit your Parish soon. With sincere gratitude.