Rising from the heart of Paris is Chapelle Notre-Dame des Malades. It is a testament to faith and healing. The story of this chapel is intertwined with art, devotion, and the compassionate spirit of those who serve the sick.
Let’s step back to 1787. A sculptor named Delaistre created a plaster statue of the Virgin and Child. He made it for the Salon du Louvre. Delaistre was a parishioner of Saint Laurent. The statue found its first home in the church of Saint Nicolas-des-Champs. It stayed there until 1817. Then, a marble statue, commissioned by King Louis XVIII, took its place.
What happened to the plaster statue? In 1817, it was given to the church of Saint-Laurent. In 1847, a confraternity called Notre Dame des Malades formed there. Pope Pius IX elevated it to an archconfraternity in 1856. The feast day was set on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. At that time, the church of Saint Joseph Artisan was a chapel of the parish Saint Laurent.
Fast forward to 1904. Pope Pius X authorized the crowning of the Virgin’s statue. This was under the title of Notre Dame des Malades. For this special occasion, the Raffi workshop created a plaster model. This model was then placed in the chapel at 15 rue Philippe de Girard. This is how it became Chapelle Notre-Dame des Malades.
The crowned marble statue replaced the original plaster one in December 1904. The plaster statue had been a gift from Saint-Nicolas des Champs church in 1817. But what became of that original plaster statue of the Virgin and Child?
During Heritage Days in September 2015, a surprising revelation occurred. A religious sister of the Servants of the Poor announced that the plaster statue of the Virgin and Child had been at Saint-Joseph Artisan since 1904. Imagine its journey since its creation in 1787.
This plaster statue of the Virgin and Child became known as Notre Dame des Malades. It serves as a link between three parishes. These parishes are animated by the Emmanuel Community. They are dedicated to serving the sick, isolated, and suffering, located among three hospitals.
Notre-Dame des Malades connects these parishes. The Emmanuel Community currently oversees them. This encourages them to develop their charism of compassion. The prayers offered here reflect this dedication.
One prayer seeks healing. It asks Mary, Our Lady of the Sick, to intercede. It asks her to guide doctors and bless remedies. If needed, it asks for a miracle through her son Jesus. It expresses immense trust in her. The prayer hopes that the healed will glorify God and show love for Mary.
Another prayer seeks spiritual graces. It echoes the same plea for intercession. It seeks enlightenment and blessings. It desires that those helped will give glory to God. They will express their gratitude to Mary.
In 2016, there was a pilgrimage to the Sacré-Cœur de Jésus. It further highlights the devotion to Notre-Dame des Malades. Chapelle Notre-Dame des Malades stands as a beacon of hope. It is a place where faith and compassion intertwine. It is a testament to the enduring power of prayer.