Short History of the Devotion to Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture (Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa)

The title of Our Mother of Consolation has been the principal devotion to Mary within the Order at least since the 17th Century. Its origin among the Augustinians is directly tied to the life of Saints Monica and Augustine who are commonly depicted together with the figures of Mary and the Child Jesus in renditions of the image. The other title of the devotion is Our Lady of the Cincture. According to tradition, Monica, immersed in sorrow because of the death of her husband and the waywardness of her son, was granted a vision of Mary and the Child Jesus, who sought to offer her comfort or consolation. Mary handed her a leather cincture which she asked Monica to wear as a continual reminder of her presence and thus, a visible sign of encouragement. From that moment Monica wore the cincture and, after his conversion, recommended it also to her son as an indication of Mary’s abiding protection. Thus, by this same tradition, it became historically, the principal and common symbol for all who follow Augustine’s Rule.

The various titles by which the Order venerates Mary – Help, Grace, Good Counsel, Consolation – all suggest an understanding of the Mother of God as benefactress or patroness of her people, as one who responds to the many needs which humanity experiences. Mary is truly mother and sister to us, because as faithful disciple of her Son, she learned well the lessons of selfless love and generous service. As Mother of Consolation she is particularly near to those in need of companionship and comfort.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, you are also our Mother of Consolation, Patroness of our Augustinian Family. We consecrate to you all our being and all our love. We also consecrate to you our common life, our works, our apostolate, our joys, our hopes, our sorrows. We entrust all that we have and all that we are your care, our dear Lady and Mother. Help us to live our religious ideals daily. Unite our minds and our hearts so that we may live harmoniously together as we journey toward your beloved Son. Bless our Augustinian Family so that our very lives may bear witness to and proclaim the gospel of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to all our brothers and sisters. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us from God our petitions (here mention your request silently) and protect us always from all evil, from all dangers, from all sickness and misfortunes. May we always experience the joy of your consolation.

Mary, Our Lady of Consolation, Patroness of the Augustinian Family, pray for us!

Saint Joseph, Protector of the Augustinian Family, pray for us!

Saint Monica, pray for us!

Saint Augustine, pray for us!

All Augustinian Holy Men and Women, pray for us!

(NB: This prayer was adapted from Saint John Paul II’s Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with additional lines and other invocations added by the Commission on Liturgy of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu – Philippines)