Today was the 190th Mass of Thanksgiving for New Orleans being spared in the Battle of New Orleans. In keeping with a promise made by the Ursulines' Mother Superior a Mass is said each year on January 8 and the Te Deum sung. Archbishop Hughes of New Orleans celebrated the Mass and Bishops Muench and Morin assisted.
It was also homecoming for the Ursuline nuns who evacuated following Hurricane Katrina.
The gold statue above the altar is of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the crowns contain precious jewels donated by the people of New Orleans. They are worn only on this day.
And, sorry to say, we are in another battle of New Orleans--for survival.
This chapel is owned by the Ursuline nuns and is not the property of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.