Prayers to the Patron Saint of New Orleans

The Diary of a Suburban Priest has done a great service in reminding us that our Blessed Lady Mary, Theotokos and Ever-virgin, is the patron saint of New Orleans and Louisiana. Its webmaster has also done a great service in providing there a litany to Our Lady of New Orleans. It would perhaps be reasonable for all those of good will to pray it on behalf of those now suffering in New Orleans.

For those who prefer things Eastern, and in the interest of providing more matter for prayer, another beautiful prayer is the Akathistos Hymn, a setting of which was made by one who was, and I hope still is, a friend of mine, Fr. Michael Carney.

Finally, I have recently heard of the falling asleep of His Grace, Bishop Alexander (Mileant), a brilliant and saintly man who has done much for his church by the hosting of a web page with much good matter for prayer and study: www.fatheralexander.org. May his memory be eternal.