AtonementOnline: The American Madonna

03 July 2012

The American Madonna

The title of Our Lady of the Atonement is tied intimately to our own country in a way which cannot be said of any other title of the Blessed Virgin. In fact, Our Lady of the Atonement is known in Rome as the "American Madonna" for a variety of reasons.

First, this title had its origins in this country, at Graymoor, New York. Also, her colors are our national colors: red, white, and blue. Additionally, the birthday of our country always falls within the Novena to Our Lady of the Atonement, reminding us to pray for our nation, so that all may know that our hope and strength come from what is represented in this image of the Blessed Virgin: namely, the loving Mother of God, offering to us her divine Son, who holds in His hands the holy Cross as the means of our salvation.

"With all my heart, I bless you and your people..."

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."