Our Lady Helper of Cap Malheureux

Marian title of Cap Malheureux (Diocese of Port-Louis)
Popular devotion (not officially recognized by the Church)

Es la conocida iglesia de tejado rojo («Red Roof Church») situada en Cap Malheureux, en la costa norte de Mauricio, dentro de la Diócesis de Port-Louis, única diócesis del país. En las guías y la piedad popular se la presenta bajo la advocación de Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice (Nuestra Señora Auxiliadora), aunque su título canónico oficial no consta de forma inequívoca en fuentes eclesiales accesibles. No consta documentación histórica detallada accesible.

Main data

Origin and history

Es la conocida iglesia de tejado rojo («Red Roof Church») situada en Cap Malheureux, en la costa norte de Mauricio, dentro de la Diócesis de Port-Louis, única diócesis del país. En las guías y la piedad popular se la presenta bajo la advocación de Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice (Nuestra Señora Auxiliadora), aunque su título canónico oficial no consta de forma inequívoca en fuentes eclesiales accesibles. No consta documentación histórica detallada accesible.

The image and the sanctuary

It is a small Catholic church in front of the lagoon, one of the most photographed images of Mauritius. There is no documented description of a specific Marian image.

Sponsorship and coronation

It is not available.

Party and devotion

The party of Mary Helper is held on May 24. According to the chronicles of travellers, the fishermen and inhabitants of the place come to entrust themselves to the Virgin before going out to the sea, a local devotional custom that is not formally documented.

Link to the Rosary

Under the title of Mary Helper, the Virgin is invoked as the help of the Christian people, a title that tradition closely links to the prayer of the Rosary. Those who come to this church in front of the sea entrust their traverses and needs through the accounts of the Rosary. Each avemaria is made a plea entrusted to the Mother to help.