On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an Augustinian from Chicago, was elected the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV. His election marked a historic moment as the first American and Augustinian pope. Among the defining aspects of his early pontificate is his profound devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel, a Marian title deeply rooted in the Augustinian tradition. This devotion, coupled with his call for peace and unity, reflects his spiritual vision for the Church. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on Marian devotion offers a pathway for Catholics to grow closer to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This article explores the significance of his devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel and how fostering a devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart can lead us to a deeper relationship with Christ.

Pope Leo XIV’s Devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel

Pope Leo XIV’s devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel is both personal and tied to his Augustinian heritage. The title “Our Lady of Good Counsel” originates from a miraculous fresco in Genazzano, Italy, depicting Mary and the Christ Child. This image, cared for by the Augustinian Order since the 13th century, is believed to have appeared miraculously in 1467 after disappearing from Albania during a Turkish invasion. The fresco, known as “Mater Boni Consilii” (Mother of Good Counsel), has inspired devotion for centuries, with popes, saints, and pilgrims seeking Mary’s guidance under this title.

Less than 48 hours after his election, Pope Leo XIV made a surprise pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano on May 10, 2025. Arriving in a modest Volkswagen minivan, he prayed before the miraculous image and recited a prayer composed by St. John Paul II, entrusting his pontificate to Mary’s care. In the shrine’s guestbook, he wrote, “Still in the first days of the pontificate, I felt the duty and a deep longing to approach Genazzano, the shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, who, throughout my life, has accompanied me with her maternal love.”

This visit underscores the centrality of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Leo XIV’s life. As an Augustinian, he is part of an order that has promoted this devotion internationally since the 13th century. The Midwest Augustinian Province, to which he belongs, is named after Our Mother of Good Counsel, reflecting the order’s deep connection to this Marian title. His choice of the name Leo also nods to Pope Leo XIII, who was profoundly devoted to Our Lady of Good Counsel, adding “Mater Boni Consilii” to the Litany of Loreto in 1903, approving the White Scapular of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and elevating the Genazzano shrine to a minor basilica.

Leo XIV’s devotion is not merely ceremonial. In his homily at Genazzano, he described Mary as a “companion of light and wisdom,” quoting her words at the Wedding at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). This reflects his belief that Mary, as Mother of Good Counsel, guides the faithful to follow Christ faithfully. His visit, coupled with his Augustinian formation, suggests that he sees Mary’s counsel as essential for navigating the challenges of his pontificate and the modern world.

Why Our Lady of Good Counsel?

The devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel is particularly relevant in today’s world, marked by confusion, division, and moral challenges. The title emphasizes Mary’s role as a guide who offers divine wisdom to those seeking to discern God’s will. As one source notes, “There is a very special reason why, under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel, the Mother of God should be now worshipped; for under that title She meets a special need. That need is the want of Good Counsel in the world.”

For Pope Leo XIV, this devotion aligns with his vision of a “synodal Church” that walks together, seeks peace, and remains close to the suffering. His first greeting as pope on May 8, 2025, invoked the peace of the Risen Christ and emphasized Mary’s intercession, particularly on the Feast of Our Lady of Pompeii. By turning to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Leo XIV seeks her maternal guidance to lead the Church with wisdom, humility, and courage, echoing the prayer: “Obtain for me through the Most Precious Blood of thy divine Son, the forgiveness of my sins, the salvation of my soul and the means necessary to obtain it.”

Growing Closer to Jesus Through Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel naturally leads to a deeper relationship with Jesus, as Mary always points to her Son. One powerful way to grow closer to Christ is through devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a practice that complements the devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel. The Immaculate Heart of Mary represents Mary’s interior life—her joys, sorrows, virtues, and above all, her love for God and humanity. This devotion, which grew significantly after the Fatima apparitions, emphasizes consecration and reparation, uniting us to God through Mary’s heart.

The Theological Foundation

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is closely linked to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. While devotion to Jesus’ Sacred Heart focuses on His divine love for humanity, often rejected, devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart highlights her maternal love for Jesus and her role as our intermediary. As Catholic News Agency explains, “Honoring Mary’s Immaculate Heart is really just another way of honoring Mary as the person who was chosen to be the Mother of God, recognizing her extraordinary holiness and the immense love she bestowed on Jesus as his mother.”

This devotion involves consecrating oneself to Mary’s Immaculate Heart, offering a total gift of self to God through her intercession. Mary’s heart, pierced by the seven sorrows (Luke 2:35), is a model of perfect obedience and love, guiding us to imitate her fiat: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). By entrusting ourselves to her, we align our hearts with hers, which always lead to Jesus.

Practical Steps to Foster Devotion to the Immaculate Heart

To grow closer to Jesus through devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart, Catholics can adopt the following practices, inspired by Church tradition and the example of Pope Leo XIV:

1. Consecration to the Immaculate Heart: Consecrate yourself to Mary using prayers like the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as promoted by Pope Francis. This act involves entrusting your life to Mary’s guidance, asking her to lead you to Jesus. A simple prayer is: “O Immaculate Heart of Mary, I consecrate myself to you, that you may lead me to the Sacred Heart of your Son, Jesus.”
2. Daily Rosary: The Rosary is a powerful tool for meditating on the mysteries of Christ’s life through Mary’s eyes. Pope Leo XIV’s recitation of the Hail Mary during his first greeting and at Genazzano highlights the importance of this prayer. Commit to praying at least five decades daily, offering intentions for peace and personal conversion.
3. Wearing the Scapular: The Green Scapular or the Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, approved by Pope Pius IX, is a tangible sign of devotion. Wearing it reminds us of Mary’s maternal protection and our commitment to live for Christ. The White Scapular of Our Lady of Good Counsel, approved by Pope Leo XIII, can also be worn to seek Mary’s guidance.
4. First Saturdays Devotion: Instituted after the Fatima apparitions, the First Saturdays devotion involves attending Mass, receiving Communion, praying the Rosary, and meditating for 15 minutes on the Rosary mysteries for five consecutive first Saturdays. This practice, requested by Mary, fosters reparation for sins and draws us closer to Jesus through her heart.
5. Imitating Mary’s Virtues: Study Mary’s virtues—humility, obedience, charity—and strive to emulate them. For example, her counsel at Cana, “Do whatever He tells you,” encourages us to obey Jesus fully. Reflect on how you can follow Christ’s teachings in daily life, seeking Mary’s intercession for strength.
6. Novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel: Pray the novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel, as outlined by Pray More Novenas, to seek Mary’s guidance in decision-making and spiritual growth. This prayer asks for an “increase in love, trust, and devotion to your Immaculate Heart that leads us to Jesus.”

How Devotion to the Immaculate Heart Leads to Jesus

Devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart is not an end in itself but a pathway to Christ. Mary’s heart is a “blazing light in this dark night,” guiding us to her Son, as the novena prayer describes. By consecrating ourselves to her, we entrust our struggles, joys, and aspirations to her care, allowing her to present them to Jesus. Her intercession purifies our intentions and aligns our will with God’s.

For example, when we pray the Rosary, we contemplate Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, deepening our love for Him. The First Saturdays devotion repairs the wounds caused by sin, uniting us to Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice. Wearing the scapular reminds us to live as Mary’s children, imitating her obedience to Christ. These practices transform our hearts, making them more like Mary’s, which is perfectly united to Jesus.

Pope Leo XIV’s example reinforces this truth. His trust in Our Lady of Good Counsel reflects his belief that Mary’s guidance leads to Christ. His call for a “synodal Church” that seeks peace and charity mirrors Mary’s role as a mediator who unites us to Jesus’ mission. By following his lead and fostering devotion to the Immaculate Heart, we can grow in holiness and draw closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Conclusion

Pope Leo XIV’s devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel is a testament to his Augustinian spirituality and his trust in Mary’s maternal guidance. His pilgrimage to Genazzano, his choice of the name Leo, and his emphasis on Mary’s intercession highlight the importance of this devotion in his pontificate. For Catholics, his example is an invitation to seek Mary’s counsel in a world in need of wisdom and peace.

Moreover, devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary offers a powerful way to grow closer to Jesus. Through consecration, the Rosary, scapulars, and the First Saturdays devotion, we unite ourselves to Mary’s heart, which always leads to her Son. As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate under Mary’s guidance, let us follow his example, entrusting ourselves to Our Lady of Good Counsel and her Immaculate Heart, confident that she will guide us to the heart of Christ.