Une Minute avec Marie
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On April 20, 1493, Christopher Columbus came before the King and Queen of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, at the gates of Barcelona. Applauded for the success of his expedition, the Genoese navigator knelt down humbly before them. Unexpectedly, the King and Queen, in a sublime gesture, also fell to their knees. All three then sang the Te Deum, thanking God for the success of the expedition. It was said that Our Lady had been the polar star of these explorers and missionaries. On April 20, 1940, Pope Pius XII fittingly addressed these eloquent words in the city of Genoa for the anniversary of this event: "Genoese, bow down to Columbus, not only to the bold navigator who overcame opposition from scientists and the fury of the ocean, but also to a great servant of Our Lady. He placed his expedition under Mary's protection and gave his caravel the name of Santa Maria. When he climbed aboard his ship, he said farewell to a surprised and skeptical Europe; he ventured on the fierce waves and reaching the end of his journey he kneeled before Jesus, who calmed the storms, and before Mary, the star of the sea."