Nuestra Senora de la Leche y Buen Parto - Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery

It surpasses in interest all other historic spots in old St Augustine, this peaceful setting of the Shrine, for it was here that the city was founded - the first permanent colony of this country. But most of all one thinks of it as a religious landmark. Here the first rude chapel and altar were erected, and the Mass celebrated on the 8th day of September, 1565, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.

Trumpets sounded, cannon thundered, and the Te Deum, echoed through the forest. Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles, who had been sent by the Spanish to colonize Florida, stepped ashore. Advancing toward the Admiral came a little procession led by Father Mendoza Grajales, bearing a cross. The priest had come ashore on the previous day. Admiral Menendez knelt and kissed the cross, his followers doing likewise. Then there followed the celebration of Holy Mass that began the service of the Church in the new land for all the centuries to come. Sighted on St. Augustine's Day, August 28th, the place was to bear that name. Consecrated by the Mass of the eventful day of landing the holy spot was called by the Spaniards, Nombre de Dios - Name of God. Spanish maps preserved the record of that great destination.

Even a spot dedicated to God may not always be at peace. Here was the scene of the martyrdom of Father Rodriquez and a Franciscan Brother during the Indian revolt of 1597. And in the varied history and fortunes of Florida - border raids. English occupation for twenty years, wind storms - one can realize that the chapels and shrines would suffer, and need rebuilding or restoring from time to time. Chapels were ransacked, or burned, dismantled to avoid desecration, blown down. It is known that there have been two distinct structures at a certain recorded distance apart. But the second replacing the one demolished,was essentially a continuation of it, carrying on the tradition. An ancient Spanish map reproduced in Shea's "History of the Catholic Church in Colonial Days" shows the relative location of these chapels. Since 1915 the present little memorial chapel, made beautiful without and within, has marked this most historic spot in St. Augustine.

Next it should be explained how Nombre de Dios received the name of Nuestra Senora de la Leche:

The story is colorful and interesting. It begins in Madrid, when the town of St. Augustine was thirty-three years old. Strange, indeed, that the irreverence, lasting a brief time, of a drunken soldier, a mercenary, toward a stolen statue resulted in widespread veneration of it lasting through centuries! Kings and courts in Spain as well as the populace, and suppliants in other lands came to know and venerate this small statue of Our Lady. By Heaven's intervention, evil was turned to good, for a certain pious Spaniard, horrified at the desecration by the rioting soldier, bought the statue from him for a small sum.

Then, in this devout Spaniard's home, a shrine was established, and many came to pray. Ere long the good wife of the pious Spaniard became desperately ill that there seemed no hope for her or the expected child. Earnestly the couple prayed before the statue of the Blessed Mother - an unusual statue representing her feeding the Divine Infant. In answer to their prayers, the birth of a beautiful baby boy, nursed by the joyous mother, both mother and child in radiant health. A miracle indeed.

They named the statue then, "Nuestra Senora de la Leche y Buen Parto" - Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery". In increasing numbers the faithful came to pray: Heaven vouchsafed other similar miracles. "Surely, this wonderful statue must be placed where it can be publicly venerated," the Spanish couple decided, and they build a chapel especially for it, attached to St. Martin's Monastery.

Philip III, the new king of Spain, was very devout. He heard about the statue. "It was rescued on the first day of my reign," he thought, "therefore it is fitting that I should accompany it to a new chapel."

He paid all the expenses of the solemn procession. The pomp and splendor seem almost beyond belief. The king and the whole court joined the ecclesiastical authorities and the populace. Through triumphal arches they passed, over sand-covered ground. Every religious order of Madrid was represented. Altars, covered with rare lace, windows and balconies draped with wonderful tapestries, the band and singers from the Royal Chapel, all these added to the triumphal progress of the little statue once desecrated by a half-drunken soldier. What would he have thought! Flowers, crystal vases, golden censors, white pigeons released - these he would have seen. All the prelates of Madrid, the Papal Nuncio, the Archbishop of Toledo, the king and his cabinet, the grandees of Spain followed the sacred image. From its new chapel its fame spread continually; for years queens of Spain, as well as the other expectant mothers, sought Our Lady's special aid.

Even to the one little settlement of this land came the fame of the statue. Sometime between 1602 and 1620 a copy was brought to St. Augustine; thus the shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Leche became a part of St. Augustine's religious life for something like a century and a half. In its simple surroundings this replica of the statue was venerated no less sincerely than the image in Madrid. The Time came, however, when like the devout Spaniard of that older city , the people here felt impelled to save the sacred statue from desecration. During the twenty years that the city was under England, Spaniards felt no at home; a great many went to Cuba. The shrine's ornaments and the statue were removed, that they should not be desecrated; probably they were sent to Cuba. In 1784 Florida was cede back to Spain. Spaniards came back, but not the statue of Our Lady. It had either been lost, or destroyed by the hand of time. The original is venerated in the Church of St. Louis in Madrid. In a volume in the historical library of St. Augustine one may see the picture, in colors, of this original statue, and read a long account in Spanish of the events just outlined as they occurred in Madrid.

"Nombre de Dios" - Nuestra Senora de la Leche" Thus do Spanish names, particularly those connected with some religious act or observance, come down the centuries, never to be forgotten in St. Augustine, though there have been other flags since "the ocean-swept banner of Spain" was unfurled. For a long time in the ancient Cathedral there hung a large painting representing an artist's conception of the first Holy Mass on these shores; the painting was destroyed by fire. At present, a small building close to the Shrine houses a well-executed diorama that depicts the landing of Menendez and the offering up of the first Mass. The guide in attendance points out the details of this, and then takes the visitor into the gem-like chapel, explaining its symbolism and history. But with the eyes of imagination those who seek out the Shrine can always behold Menendez giving thanks to God, or Spanish women fervently praying before the statue of Our Lady. If they come on the special day of pilgrimage, imagination will be quickened yet the more through the unchanging ceremonies of the Church, so that the whole religious panorama will seem to pass before them. And, after all, the lovely little chapel in a walled cemetery is in a quiet spot, remote enough to have none of the confusion of today's life crowding upon it. Though it has been rebuilt, restored, the coquina walls enclose the atmosphere of faith and devotion, the holy traditions, the history, that are so essentially St. Augustine's heritage.

The facade of the little chapel is thoroughly Spanish. On either side of the doors there are bronze tablets giving its historical significance and the explanation that the present structure stands as a memorial. Mrs. Amelia Hardin gave the funds for this beautiful memorial to her husband, General Martin D. Hardin. Bishop Curley was zealous in its restoration. Above the broad doors is a niche with a statue of St. Francis, most appropriate, since the whole region was made Christian mainly by early Franciscan missionaries -- especially appealing because among their martyrs one laid down his life here. Within, there is a simple altar, with antique iron work, crucifix and candles. On either side of the altar are small statues, the Blessed Virgin with the Child, Saint Martin and the beggar. There are soft-toned Stations of the Cross. Instead of pews one finds simple priedieux of dark polished wood.

And the pilgrimage? That occurs on the Sunday after Easter - Low Sunday. There is a Mass in the morning, sometimes Pontifical High Mass, at an open-air altar, and Benediction, to which the faithful walk in Solemn procession, late in the afternoon. Usually there is a sermon. A wonderful procession with hundreds in line; the Sisters, the school children, the church societies, the worshipers of all ages. The rich vestments of the Bishop and many priests accompanying the Blessed Sacrament, the acolytes, the banners, the delicate flowers strewn by tiny children, the clear voices of choristers - it is all unforgettable! Reverently, too, before they return to their homes in this old, old city, each pilgrim steps within the little chapel and stands or kneels a moment in the mystic peace of the one-time shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Leche.

A competent guide is in charge to explain the diorama depicting the Landing of Menendez and the offering of the first Mass and relating history of the Shrine. There is no admission fee. Voluntary offerings are received to assist in defraying the expenses of the guide service and maintenance.

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