100 Years of Pilgrimage, Worship, and Prayer
Our National Shrine has marked a milestone in its long history in the city of New Orleans - the 100th anniversary of its dedication on State Street. We think this is an occasion to commemorate and celebrate. We hope you do, too. On January 6, 1924, New Orleans Archbishop John Shaw dedicated the Shrine as the National Votive Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Since then, the Shrine has been a sacred place where people of various backgrounds and locations come to pray before the statue of OLPS, often to ask for quick relief from impending harm. Storms, wars, disease, and personal unrest at times have threatened us. As a city, a state, and as individuals, we have often prayed: “Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us!” For many, the Shrine has been and continues to be our refuge where hope, comfort, consolation, and peace are found.
2024 - Our Centennial Year!
We are excited to announce that 2024 is the Shrine’s Centennial Year of commemoration and will feature celebratory events throughout the year. The kickoff event will be a concert on January 6 in our beautiful Shrine featuring another treasure of our city, our music. The concert will feature the beautiful voice of New Orleans’s own global soprano, Sarah Jane McMahon! Another exciting event will be the premiere showing of a new WYES documentary chronicling the Shrine’s rich history. Additional events, such as lectures, viewings, and spiritual activities will follow throughout 2024. While we hope you will be able to share in the enjoyment of these activities with us, we also invite you to participate in the Shrine’s Centennial Year in a very significant way - by becoming a Centennial Year Sponsor. Your contribution will go toward underwriting the wonderful events of the year and will help ensure a sound fiscal foundation, protecting and preserving the Shrine for future generations.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor serves God and all God’s peopleas the center of devotion to the Mother of Jesus under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor—quick help. The shrine is a place of pilgrimage, worship and prayer and welcomes all who wish to come to this sacred place.
Centennial Celebration Events
January 6, 2024
Kick-Off Concert
Two Treasures: The Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the Music of New Orleans! Kick-Off Concert featuring Sarah Jane McMahon, Tim Laughlin, Jim McCormick, Philip Manuel, Lulu Reeks, and Jesse Reeks
January 5, 2024
Triduum of Preparation for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Prompt Succor
January 5-7, 2024
Father Anthony McGinn, S.J.
January 8, 2024
Solemnity of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Mass of Thanksgiving
Archbishop Gregory Aymond
February 29, 2024
Lenten Evening of Reflection
River Parishes Dean, Father Stephen Dardis
May 30, 2024
Virtual Rosary: a midday prayer for safety during hurricane season
Dr. Tom Ryan, Loyola Professor and Director of Ministry
June 14, 2024
Patriotic Concert
A United States Flag Day Salute
August 15, 2024
Solemnity of the Assumption and Blessing of the Herbs
Rev. Victor Laroche, O.P.
University Chaplain,
Xavier University of Louisiana
October 3, 2024
History of the Devotion to OLPS
Archivist and Lecturer, Emilie Gagnet Leumas
November 10, 2024
1895 OLPS Coronation Crowns Exhibit
Centerpiece of the First Crowning in the U.S. Sanctioned by the Church
December 8, 2024
Caroling in the Chapel
An interactive Christmas Celebration!
With the exception of the WYES documentary premiere, ALL celebrations are free and open to the public, and they will take place in the Shrine: 2701 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118. Times and additional information will be announced as we approach each event…mark your calendars!
Shrine Centennial Committee
Mat Grau
Chair
Sister Carolyn M. Brockland, OSU
Shrine Director Emerita
Kaki Pittman Smith
Shrine Director
Daniel J. Erspamer
Angelle Carr Gonzales
Mary Lee Berner Harris
Cynthia Johnson McDonald
Karen Hubble Mortillaro
Suzanne Jones Myers
Abigail Greenbaum Roniger