26 APRIL - OUR MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL (PORTUGAL)

 George Kastrioti Skanderbeg was a great warrior and leader of the people of Albania who fought against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire into his kingdom. 

    He loved the sanctuary of Mary with a devoted love; and Mary in return, not only made him a Christian perfection, but also gave him an invincible power, 

    which preserved not only Albania but also Christendom during his reign. There was a miraculous painting located in the town of Scutari. 

    Our Mother of Scutari, now known as Our Mother of Good Counsel is an image of Our Mother holding her Divine Son. 

    It was Our Mother of Scutari who had consoled and preserved George through all his trials. After his victories, George went to kneel before the image of Our Mother of Scutari, 

    thanking her for his success. At the end of his life, physically exhausted from his labors, George sensed that his death was near. He went the last time to visit 

    Our Mother of Scutari at her shrine, and then retired to the city of Lesh to die. There he won a final battle against the Turks before he laid down and gave up his soul to God. 

    King Afonso in his dream saw a mysterious old man entered his tent to advise him that it was God’s will that he would be victorious in the coming engagement against the Moors. 

    The old man said, “Alfonso, have confidence, because you will conquer and destroy these infidel kings and the Lord will appear to you. 

    He then instructed the king to leave his camp that night, without any attendant, at the sound of the Church bell. It was dark, King Afonso heard the mournful toll of the bell. 

    He took up his sword and shield and mounted his horse to ride alone from the camp. A heavy cloud cover blotted out the light of the moon and stars when suddenly an intense beam 

    of light illuminated the night from the East, and in this resplendent light a Cross appeared bearing the crucified Christ. 

    King Afonso dismounted and prostrated himself before the image of the King of Kings when he heard a voice telling him that he would indeed be victorious against the Moors. 

    Trusting in God, King Afonso went into battle and won an impressive victory against the five kings. King Afonso went on to win other great battles against the Moors, 

    doubling the size of the kingdom of Portugal that he had founded.




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