Our Lady of Aberdeen
Discover the history and devotion associated with the ancient image of Our Lady of Aberdeen, also known as Our Lady of Good Success.
A treasured image of Our Lady
The original statue of Our Lady and Child was saved from destruction in Aberdeen during the Reformation and eventually found a home in Brussels. It is still venerated there in the Church of Our Lady of Finisterre as Our Lady of Good Success.
Since the restoration of the Scottish hierarchy in 1878, devotion in Aberdeen has centred on copies of the ancient image, including the statue in the Cathedral’s Chapel of Our Lady.
9 July is celebrated in the Diocese of Aberdeen as the feast of Our Lady of Aberdeen.
Prayer to Our Lady of Aberdeen
Our Lady of Aberdeen, Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, we give thanks for your intercession and turn to you again with confidence. Through your Son, strengthen our faith and help us to live faithfully according to his will.
We entrust to your care the Holy Father, our Bishop and the whole Church. Pray that Christians may grow in unity and in the love of Christ.
Remember those entrusted with public responsibility, our neighbours, our families and ourselves. May the peace of Christ take root among us and remain with us always.
Our Lady of Aberdeen, Our Lady of Good Success, pray for us.
Hymn to Our Lady of Aberdeen
The Cathedral’s hymn honours Our Lady of Good Succour and places the city, the rivers Don and Dee, Scotland’s saints, families and nation under her maternal care.
Our Lady of Good Succour, we raise our thoughts to thee, where the Don flows down the valley to greet the silver Dee. Help us to foster bravely, amid this beauteous scene, a faith both deep and loving, Our Lady of Aberdeen.
Our Lady of Good Succour, in the country saints have trod Saint John the brave Confessor laid down his life for God; with the zeal of great Columba and Margaret, saint and queen, inspire anew thy children, Our Lady of Aberdeen.
Our Lady of Good Succour, may the love of God enfold our people, and surround them with gifts of grace untold. May a brighter dawn be breaking, and a fairer hope be seen for our city and our nation, Our Lady of Aberdeen.
Our Lady of Good Succour, once by this comely shore men looked to thy protection and favours would implore. To serve thy Son still guide us, O patroness serene; for Scotland is thy kingdom, Our Lady of Aberdeen.