The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Graces
The image of Our Lady of Graces is a miniature ivory carving depicting the crowned Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus standing on her left knee with his right hand raised in blessing.
The 700-year-old Miraculous Image is now on permanent display for veneration here in St Mary’s Dominican Church in Cork.
Created in Paris about the year 1300AD, the little shrine (4.5” by 2”; 11 by 5cm) was once exquisitely painted. But no trace of the paint remains today and the image is much worn by the handling and loving veneration of many generations of devout Catholics.
Originally a most valued possession of the Youghal Dominicans, it was famous throughout Ireland and further afield for the graces, favours and miracles associated with it. At key points in Irish history it contributed to the religious steadfastness of the people and a renewal of the Catholic faith in times of both peace and persecution.
It survived various attempts to locate and destroy it during three centuries of anti-Catholic persecution and a further century of religious and economic oppression by hostile government authorities.
Transferred from Youghal to Cork about the year 1790 this spiritual treasure soon began to attract the same devotion in its new home. It continues today to be an object of popular veneration and a source of favours and the renewal of the Catholic faith.
Novena Prayer:
Mary Mother of God, my mother and my queen, may I be one with you in your love of Jesus, and one with Jesus in his tender love of you.
Through centuries of peace and persecution you helped, often with miracles, all who turned to you as Our Lady of Graces, answering their prayers and keeping them faithful to Jesus and to his Church.
Intercede with your Son that our people today may undertake a renewal of faith and of devotion to Jesus and to you.
Trusting in your maternal care I now ask you to attend kindly to my request ……………………. With you I desire that God’s holy will may be done.
Grateful for my Catholic faith and the blessings it brings, I pray Virgin Mother: may I always be a zealous missionary of Christian hope, bearing witness to the eternal life and joy the risen Lord offers to all people. Amen.