Nearly 300 faithful gathered to honor the Blessed Mother at a Mass presided by Father Orlando Lugo Pérez from Ponce, Puerto Rico. This joyful celebration was filled with vibrant music, heartfelt devotion, and deep gratitude.

Devotion to Our Lady of Divine Providence dates back to the 13th century in Italy, where St. Philip Benizi, the general superior of a Servite Order, turned to the Blessed Mother because his friars were without food. Shortly after he prayed, baskets of provisions appeared at the monastery door—a sign of Mary’s maternal intercession and God’s providential care.

Another miracle tied to this devotion took place in the town Fossano, Italy. The Blessed Mother appeared to a shepherd, Bartolomeo Coppa, who had been deaf and mute since birth, and he was instantly healed. She instructed him to warn the people of Fossano that a plague would occur if they did not turn back to God. His message was disregarded, and after the plague ceased, a chapel was later built on the site where the apparition occurred.  

From Italy, the devotion made its way to Spain, and in 1848, Bishop Gil Esteve Tomás of Catalonia was appointed Bishop of San Juan, Puerto Rico. When he arrived, the Cathedral of San Juan was in severe disrepair. Entrusting the Cathedral’s restoration to “Divine Providence,” he introduced the devotion and within five years the Cathedral was fully restored.  

On November 19, 1969, Pope Paul VI officially declared Our Lady of Divine Providence the Patroness of Puerto Rico. The date was intentionally changed from January 2 to coincide with the island’s discovery on November 19, uniting the Puerto Rican people’s love for their homeland and their enduring devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The image of Our Lady of Divine Providence shows Mary gently holding the sleeping Child Jesus on her lap, her hand resting tenderly over His. It is a reminder of God’s constant care for us, Mary’s tender love and maternal protection, and the deep trust to which we are called—especially in times of hardship.

The devotion to Our Lady of Divine Providence has continued to expand even to our local area. Opening in 1980, Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer was established in Clearwater by the Marian Servants of Divine Providence, a community that is officially a Public Association of the Christian Faithful. The Marian Servants of Divine Providence is a “community of Catholic men and women dedicated to guiding God’s people to healing, freedom, and purpose in Christ through spiritual direction, healing prayer, and authentic Catholic teaching.” The House of Prayer operates as a space for prayer and sacraments as well as a retreat center that serves clergy, religious, and laypeople through a variety of events throughout the year.

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