THE MOTHER’S HEART
OUR LADY OF GOOD VOYAGE

Presented by Brother Patrick

Cardinal Richard James Cushing (1895-1970) served as Archbishop of Boston from 1944 until his retirement in 1970. He was informal, outgoing, and energetic. Unlike some of his predecessors, Cardinal Cushing maintained good relations with Boston’s protestant elites. But as a son of South Boston, the Cardinal was most comfortable with working class families, the everyday people who love Christ, love the Church, and serve both with faith and fortitude.

It is not surprising, then, that Cardinal Cushing loved Gloucester, its people, its enduring faith, and its perseverance in the face of every storm and every hardship. Midway through his long tenure as Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Cushing wrote and self-published a little book entitled simply Our Lady of Good Voyage. Although gently edited here, the following words belong entirely to Cardinal Cushing. They are taken from what can only be described as a love letter to the City of Gloucester and to the Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage:

The heart that sheltered the Son of God was in tune with the heart of the Son that it sheltered. The Son, Christ, came into the world to enlighten [us] with the Word of God, to heal [us] with the touch of God, to comfort [us] with the mercy of God, and to inspire [us] to greater heights…The Mother, Mary, is called Star of the Sea, for she also enlightens. She is called Comforter of the Afflicted, for she also heals through the power of her Son. He is mercy, she is the Mother of Mercy. He offered himself for [our sins}, she became the refuge of sinners.

Mary is Virgin Most Powerful, so [we] are accustomed to turn to her in every need and every crisis. She was the guardian of Christ through the early years of his life, so [we look] to her as [our] guardian, too. Those in constant danger seek her protection. She is the spiritual mother of [all people]. She is therefore asked to guide [us] safely through life. Life is a voyage, so [we] ask her for help, for she is Our Lady of Good Voyage. Life on the ocean is especially a voyage, often in dangerous waters, so those at the mercy of the ocean’s waves are naturally constant in their devotion to Our Lady of Good Voyage, well aware of her guidance and assistance.

The Portuguese who came to America brought with them their love of Mary. When they built a church in Gloucester, it was named in her honor, Our Lady of Good Voyage. In all our land, there is but one church where Mary can be seen holding in her arms a fishing schooner, and looking out at the ocean, casting far to see her spirit of protection. As each journey begins, [fishermen and mariners] look up and pray that she watches over them; as each journey ends, they look up, thankful for her protection.

Only one who has been at sea, for weeks or even months, can know the glow that lights up a heart when in the distance the light of Our Lady is seen in the darkness. For the great statue of Our Lady of Good Voyage, which rests on top of her church, is provided with lights, so that she can be seen far out at sea. Incoming ships [telegraph] the day of their arrival, and that night, Our Lady is aglow with lights as though saying through the darkness: Welcome Home.

If Mary watches over the fishermen, they in turn have their devotion and love for her. Each ship carries a statue of her, a little shrine dedicated in her honor. Each year, every ship is blessed. Each year at Christmas, she receives a gift from the captain and crew of every boat. Above the devotion of the people of her own parish, she has a strong throng of admirers. She attracts countless visitors. Her statue is a focusing point for many cameras, and for a beautiful picture that each summer graces many canvases. She, in her own way, brings many people to her Son, for curiosity about Mary often leads to love, not only for Mary, but for Christ as well.

The Mother of God looks strange without her Son, so devotion to Mary is and must also be a tribute to her Son…There are many followers of Our Lady of Good Voyage who are not fishermen. Most of them have some connection with the sea or depend on the fishing industry for their living. They are all equally devoted to her, they turn to her in crisis, put themselves under her protection, and are eager for her honor. Many more there are who just meet her on a trip to Gloucester, and fall under the spell of her charm. Once they have met her, they cannot rest until they have told their friends about her, and have themselves tried to learn as much as possible about her.

Everyone one of us is a voyager through life. Everyone of us needs a guide, a guide who is kind and dependable. Mary passed through life and weathered life’s storms. She met many obstacles, but was superior to them all. She is therefore a patron not only to those who voyage on the sea, but to all who voyage through life. Her voyage ended when she was taken up into heaven. May our devotion to Our Lady of Good Voyage bring to us the same happy ending. the same home at the end of our voyage through life, the home of her Son, the mansions of heaven. Through her intercession, may the blessings of her Son be [always] ours.

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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In Memory of Cardinal Richard James Cushing
Archbishop of Boston (1944-1970)