Our Lady of the Dorada blesses future mothers

Our Lady of the Dorada (Daurade) Basilica in Toulouse, France, is probably the oldest Marian shrine in France. A former pagan temple, it was transformed into a church in the early 5^th century, and re-dedicated to Mary, whose veneration increased after the Council of Ephesus in 431. This church contains mosaics made with gold leaf, hence its name "Deaurata" or "Daurade" (the Golden or the Dorada).

For several centuries, is was the home of a Black Madonna, believed to have saved the Saint Michael district of Toulouse from a huge fire on August 18, 1672. Later, prayers to the Black Madonna were mostly offered for pregnant women, because of a local custom where people placed a garment from the statue on the beds of women close to their term, for a happy delivery. But during the French Revolution, Our Lady’s garments disappeared. The Madonna’s clothes were replaced by belts left for some time on the miraculous statue. Future mothers wore them before giving birth, praying to the Virgin Mary to intercede for them.

Our Lady of the Dorada thus received the title of Our Lady of Deliverance. It was under her patronage that the tradition of wearing the blessed belt appeared. To receive and to wear it meant both to put oneself under the protection of the Mother of Christ and to share in her dignity as servant of the Lord.

Even today, the protection of the Black Madonna is solicited by future mothers. The parish priest of the Dorada blesses these "belts of the Black Madonna" that are sent everywhere, sometimes even to foreign countries, at the request of pregnant women or couples praying for a child. These words are written on the belt: "Receive and wear this blessed belt with confidence as a sign of my maternal protection and as a pledge of a happy deliverance."

You can request this belt by sending an email to: Notre-Dame de la Daurade

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