Our Lady of the Conception Flanders

April 6: Our Lady of the Conception, Flanders (1553)

The Abbot Orsini wrote: “Our Lady of the Conception, at the Capuchin Convent of Donay, in Flanders, where is seen a picture of the Immaculate Conception, which was miraculously preserved from fire, in the year 1553.”

Donay, now known as Douai in France, was once considered a thriving and populous region of Flanders during the Middle Ages, markedly famous for its textile market. It is now a commune in northern France located on the Scarpe River 25 kilometers from Arras. The town of Douai is also known as Douay or Doway in the English language.

The county of Flanders became part of the domain of the Duke of Burgundy in the year 1384, and then in 1477 became a possession of the Habsburg’s. The town was taken by the French army and became a permanent part of France in the year 1668. During successive sieges in 1710 and 1712, the city was almost completely razed to the ground by the British Army. 



Our Lady of the Conception Flanders

The University of Douai was founded in 1562. There was a Benedictine priory founded at Douai in 1605. In the year 1609 a translation of the Old Testament was published there and combined with the recently published New Testament from Rheims to create the famous Douay-Rheims Bible that is still considered to be the standard for the complete Catholic Bible.

It is certain that the French Revolution played a great deal of havoc in the region, and the town was heavily damaged during both World Wars.

In Butler’s lives of the Saints, there is a reference to a John Woodcock, OFM, born in 1603. According to this history, he joined the English Franciscans at Douai and was clothed there in 1631. For some time he lived as a chaplain and confessor, and became a zealous worker on the English mission for many years but suffered from continual sickness and eventually retired to the convent at Douai. This is the only reference I could find to the existence of a Capuchin Convent at Donay at the time.

There is also mention of a Capuchin Monastery in the list of historical monuments of Douai, but other than the above, I can find no other information about this feast.

Our Lady of the Conception Flanders


Have A Great Story About This Topic?

I have very limited information about this feast of Mary. Have you visited this shrine? Do you have more information, or a great story about this? Please share it!

[ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ? ]

 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

(first or full name)

(e.g., City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

  •  submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)



Return to Marian Calendar April

Return to Titles of Mary

Return to Roman Catholic Saints Home Page from Our Lady of the Conception Flanders


Your first paragraph ...



Now Available!!

Pelayo king of Asturias

Pelayo, King of Asturias -

Pelayo's resistance initiated the nearly 800-year-long Reconquista to take back his country from the ruthless invader who had conquered his homeland and sought to erase his culture and his faith. His actions would lay the foundations of a Kingdom for Christ that would eventually reach around the world and spread the Catholic faith to millions of souls. Read more...


Please help us continue to bring high quality books to our readers at the lowest possible price! Click the link below! Thank you!

  Now Available!

Catholic Vitality Publications presents . . .

Defenders of Christendom

Brand new by

James Fitzhenry

Now in paperback!

Battles - Honor - Miracles! This book is filled with amazing stories of little-known Catholic heroes presenting spectacles of bravery and valor never exceeded in all the annals of history. read more. . .

Now Available for $18.95


Also available:


Catholic Vitality Publications


Roman Catholic books currently published by Catholic Vitality Publications:

El Cid, God's Own Champion

-the amazing true story of the life of Rodrigo Diaz, El Cid!

Available for only $22.95



St. Fernando III

A Kingdom for Christ


- King St. Fernando III, born 100
years to the month after the death of
the Cid. His life was filled with miracles
and many conquests!

Available now for $26.95


Discounts available for bulk
orders and for bookstore
retail sales! Just contact us