Our Lady of Health, patroness of Martinique

Martinique, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, became an overseas region and department of France in 1635.

Before his arrival in Martinique, the island’s first bishop, Bishop Le Herpeur, had long been the rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Deliverance in Normandy (France). To thank Mary for her intercession when he was in peril at sea, he built the Church of Notre Dame de la Déliverande (Our Lady of Health) who became the patroness of the diocese, then of all of Martinique.

He chose the site of Morne Rouge because it reminded him of his native Normandy. The statue of the Madonna and Child was crowned on December 8, 1868. In 1891, a cyclone destroyed the church, but the statue remained intact. In 1902, a volcanic eruption destroyed Morne Rouge, but spared the statue!

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