True Catholic News

The Miraculous Powers of Notre-Dame de Boulogne

Godfrey Credits His Crusade Victory to O.L. of Boulogne

Statue of renowned Catholic military leader of the First Crusade Godfrey of Bouillon (1060 -1100 A.D.),

located at The Place Royale in Brussels - directly in front of the Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg Church.

Godfrey, a French nobleman, was born in the city graced by Our Lady [Boulogne-sur-mer], to St. Ida. He promptly followed Pope Urban II’s urgent call for a Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land from the invader infidel Mohammedans. Before heading for the First Crusade, Godfrey prayed in the city of his birth, before Notre-Dame de Boulogne, asking for her powerful intercession/protection during the forthcoming crusading campaign battle(s).

First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon 1099 A.D., Victory of Godefroy de Bouillon

19th C. Painting by Victor Schnetz, Versailles Chateau Museum

Following his military success of the capturing of Jerusalem, occurring on July 15, 1099, Godfrey, the Duke and Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre [note: in deep humility, he refused to be called the King of Jerusalem, in deference to Our Blessed Lord], attributed his victory and symbolically offered the Crown of Jerusalem to ‘Our Lady of Molanus’ and ‘Our Lady of the Sea at Boulogne’.