STORY OF OUR LADY OF ARABIDA
Feast Day - April 17
Hildebrand, an English business man, was standing off the entrance to the Tague River when a severe storm caught his Ship and immediately plunged him into the dangerous waters at the mouth of the River. This man, being a pious Catholic, knelt before a picture of Our Lady which he always kept aboard his ship.
Not quite long when he began praying a bright light was seen shining through the darkness and the ship came to rest in calm waters. When daytime came, it could be seen that the vessel was safely anchored at the foot of a very steep wooded mountain.
Hildebrand went back below decks to kneel before the image of Our Lady in thanksgiving, when he found that the picture was no longer there. Since it had been from that direction of the mountain that he had seen the light the night before, the merchant went on land and climbed the steep trail to the top.
There, on top of the very top mountain, amidst the dense woods, was his picture of Our Lady, before which he had prayed in his hour of need. Greatly moved, the merchant finished his business as soon as possible in England and returned to Portugal. He gave away his goods to the poor and settled down in a small hermitage at the top of the mountain, where the picture had indicated that Our Lady wished a shrine to be.
The shrine is there today, and still popular with all who travel by water. Many votive tablets surround the picture, testifying to miracles worked by Our Lady of Arabida for those who come to her in need. Sailors going on a long voyage usually go for a farewell visit on departure and return to give thanks when they come back.
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