Program Five: Our Lady of Combermere

Our Lady of Combermere is a life-sized bronze statue of Mary that was erected at Madonna House in Combermere in 1960. The Mother of God is running with open arms to embrace us, her children, and lead us to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Materials

• Videos:

• Websites:

Madonna House Click Here

Our Lady of Combermere Click Here

• Newspaper:

Restoration Click Here

• Books:

Our Lady of Combermere Click Here

Catherine and Eddie Doherty. Madonna House Publications. 1999.

Bogoroditza Click Here

Catherine Doherty. Madonna House Publications. 2001.

Under Mary’s Mantle Click Here

Fr. Émile-Marie Brière. Madonna House Publications. 2000.

The Air We Breathe Click Here

Fr. Denis Lemieux. Academy of the Immaculate. 2011

She is Our Response Click Here

Fr. Denis Lemieux. Academy of the Immaculate. 2011.

My Russian Yesterdays Click Here

Catherine Doherty. Madonna House Publications. 1990.

Theotokos Click Here

Archbishop Joseph Raya. Madonna House Publications. 1995.

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of Program Five is to introduce students to the story behind Our Lady of Combermere and her image, and what it means to those who visit Madonna House.

Steps

1. Show the video "Program Five: Our Lady of Combermere"

2. Ask students to form small groups to answer the following questions:

• Who is Our Lady of Combermere? Does her statue appeal to you?
• How did Madonna House obtain the statue with no money? Who sculpted it?
• Who was the Bishop who blessed the statue and what did he say about Madonna House and Our Lady? What did his words mean to Catherine and the community?
• How is the Mother of God present in your life today? Do you have an image of Our Lady in your home?

3. Option for Take-Home Assignment. Find out more about:

• Our Lady of Combermere
• What other official titles does Our Lady have; how did they come to be known?
• Find an image of Our Lady that you like; what does she say to you in this image?