New Orleans' Sweetheart

I finally made my way to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, the patroness of New Orleans and the great State of Louisiana.  I'll save that story for another time, but it has taken me numerous attempts to get in.  The doors were always locked before yesterday.

The picture above is of the "Sweetheart" statue Our Lady of Prompt Succor.  The words carved into the rocks at the statues base are, "Pont St. Esprit 1785."  The statue came from the nunnery at Pont St. Esprit in France.

The Air Force wings and ribbons at the statue's feet belonged to New Orleanian Albert Richard.  He asked to take the statue with him for protection when he shipped out to fight in WWII.  His request was denied by Mother St. Regis Winterhalder, who was the abbess at the time, but she gave him pictures of Sweetheart to take with him into the field.  When Mr. Richard returned home, he gave Sweetheart his wings and ribbons in thanksgiving for his safe return to the city he called home.