Who Is Our Lady of Good Remedy: History, Feast Day and Devotion
Catholics honour Our Lady of Good Remedy on October 8, the day after the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Many people know her as a mother who helps in desperate needs. Moreover, her title comes from a remarkable story of mercy and rescue. In addition, it links to a religious order devoted to freeing captives. Therefore, her feast carries a message for anyone who feels trapped or overwhelmed.
The story begins with Saint John of Matha, who was born in southern France in 1169. He studied theology at the University of Paris and became a priest in 1193. During his first Mass, he saw a vision of Christ holding two chained captives by the hand. As a result, he decided to rescue Christians held by the Moors. At that time, raids along the coasts of Sicily, southern France and Spain left thousands in slavery.
John first sought advice from a hermit named Felix of Valois. Soon the two men joined forces. Together, they founded the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, also called the Trinitarians. Pope Innocent III approved the order in 1198. The Trinitarians went to the slave markets, bought Christian slaves and set them free. Indeed, the captive in the vision carried a staff with a red and blue cross, and the order adopted that sign.
However, freeing captives cost a great deal of money. The Trinitarians needed large sums, so they placed their fundraising under the patronage of Mary. According to tradition, the Virgin answered without delay. Over the following centuries, thousands upon thousands of Christians returned home as funds kept coming in. In gratitude, John honoured Mary with the title Our Lady of Good Remedy.
The Trinitarians had clear reasons for this devotion. First, they honoured Mary for her close relationship with the three Persons of the Trinity. Next, they admired the love with which she shared in the redemption of the world. Furthermore, they often felt her special help during their redemptions of captives. As a result, confraternities, altars and images in her honour soon appeared.
Artists often show her handing a bag of money to John of Matha. This image captures the heart of the devotion. Moreover, it shows Mary as a Mother who provides for real needs. Meanwhile, the word remedy points to help for both body and soul. Thus, Catholics pray to Our Lady of Good Remedy in times of hardship, debt and danger.
The Church recognised this devotion over time. In 1688, the General Chapter of the Trinitarians declared her patroness of the order. Later, in 1961, Pope John XXIII granted her official status through the Apostolic Letter Sacrarium Trinitatis. Meanwhile, Pope Alexander VII confirmed the cult of John of Matha in 1666. John himself died in Rome on December 17, 1213, and the Church keeps his feast on that day.
Today, the Trinitarians continue their mission through education, evangelisation and charitable works. Furthermore, devotion to Our Lady of Good Remedy remains strong in Europe and Latin America. As a result, some parishes pray a novena before the feast. People also turn to her in seemingly hopeless situations.
There are many forms of slavery today. Some are obvious, such as human trafficking. Others are moral and spiritual bondage, such as addiction or despair. Therefore, this devotion speaks clearly to our time. We can pray for those in chains and support efforts to free them. Likewise, we can bring our own burdens to Our Lady of Good Remedy and trust her to lead us to Jesus.
You can honour her in simple ways. First, attend Mass if you can. Next, pray the Rosary, since her feast follows the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Then ask for her help in one specific need. Finally, give alms or support a charity that helps victims of trafficking. Try this short prayer: Our Lady of Good Remedy, hear my need and lead me to your Son. Amen.
For more reading, visit Aleteia, the Trinitarians and the novena page of the Church of Saint Isaac Jogues.
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