The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-11-02
Devoted to Our Lady.

Everyone knows something about
Columbus, but comparatively few are
aware of his fervent devotion to the
Blessed Virgin, writes a contributor to
the Irish Catholic. 1t is easy to prove
that the great discoverer was one OF the
most enthusiastic servants of Margin
fact, devotion to Our Blessed Lady
marks every epoch of his life. Let us
examine. It was to the Monastery Of
Our Lady of Rabida that he was provi-
dentially conducted when he first reach
ed Spain. His first ship was called
Santa Maria. 1t was in a chapel dedi-
Gated to the Blessed Virgin that he and
his crew received Holy Communion be-
fore embarking for the New World.
Every evening during the memorable
voyage hymn to Mary was sung on
the three ships.
When land was discovered, the adj
miral's devotion was expressed in the
names he gave to the different islands,
capes and CULTS. The beautiful archs-
pelago of the small Lucayas he called
Our Lady OF the Sea, bestowing the title
of Holy M 4ry of the Immaculate Con-
ception on the largest of the islands.
When he discovered Hayti, he gave the
sweet name of Mary to beautiful gulf.
Later on promontory was called the
Star of the Sea, and it is known as Cape
Star. On the northwest coast another
remarkable gulf was called Port Con-
ception. A feast of Our Lady very pop
ular in Spain, Our Lady of the 0, oc.
curing about the time Of these dlscov-
cries, Columbus had it observed with
all the solemnity possible. While re-
turning to Spain he delighted to teach
the Indians that accompanied him the
Ave Maria and other prayers to the
Mother of God. 1t was at st. Mary's'
the most southern island of the Azores,
that he sought safety from dreadful
storm. There, too, he made VOW to
Our Lady Of Loretto, and another to
visit the first church to be met on land
dedicated to her.
On his famous second voyage, Column
bus placed himself under the protection
of the Immaculate Conception, and
changed the name of the Admiral's ship
to Gracious Mary. To new discoveries
he gave the names of Our Lady Of Qua
daloupe, Our Lady Of Montserrat, and
Holy Mary of the Routanda. Although
his third voyage was undertaken in
honor Of the Holy Trinity, he called the
first island he met Conception and As
sumption. When preparing for fourth
voyage of discovery he placed at the
feet of Our Lady Of the Grotto his titles,
letters, patent and all his honors
And after death. as he willed it, the
great discoverer was still under the
sheltering mantle of Mary. His funeral
took place in the Church Of Our Lady
of Valladolid. Seven years after his re-
mains were transferred to Seville and
laid to rest in the Church Of Our Lady
Of the Grotto. Later on they were e0n-
veYed to San Domingo. and there re-
manned in the Church of Notre Dame,
till at the close Of the last century they
were transferred to the Cathedral Of
Havana. And yet the blessed Virgin
has them in her keeping, for they are
inter- ed in the Chapel Of the Immacu-
late Conception. Have I not proved
that the sanity discoverer Of the New
World was : faithful knight Of the
Blessed Yirgin2
81 Ia what light, 4 asked the teacher,
did the Emperor Nero regard the
4 christians &C Rome? And the smart
NV fE,r.,1 0hk III u,aa u Enra3,