The Holy House of Loreto
Feast of the Translation: December 10
Three miles from the Adriatic coast of Italy, stands the city of Loretto on the summit of a hill. A vast basilica with a great dome forms the most treasured of all the Popes "extraterritorial" Vatican State properties, enshrining, as it does, one of the most sacred and important of all Our Ladys Shrines
On entering the basilica, beneath the central dome, and just behind the high altar, a rectangular edifice of white marble, richly adorned with statues.
How this Shrine came to be is a fascinating story.
In 1291 the last of the Christian soldiers withdrew from Nazareth, leaving behind The first assault was that of the Seljukian Turks in 1090. In the years that followed, a trickle of Christian pilgrims
In 1219, Saint Francis of Assisi, whose spiritual sons The year 1263 saw the second destruction of the Basilica, On the night of May 10th, 1291 the shepherds of Tersatto, The poor, baffled, little shepherds,
The undaunted investigators discovered that
The sudden disappearance of Father Georgevichs
The Holy House reached its final destination Identification of her sweet little home was clearly unfolded Centuries of Italian history are the most dramatic
Since 1294, it has become one of the greatest shrines It is a place of many miracles. More than fifty Popes have issued Bulls and Papal Briefs testifying to its authenticity.
The Litany of Loretto Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. Mother of Christ, pray for us. Mother of divine grace, pray for us. Mother most pure, pray for us. Mother most chaste, pray for us. Mother inviolate, pray for us. Mother undefiled, pray for us. Mother most amiable, pray for us. Mother most admirable, pray for us. Mother of good counsel, pray for us. Mother of our Creator, pray for us. Mother of our Savior, pray for us. Virgin most prudent, pray for us. Virgin most venerable, pray for us. Virgin most renouned, pray for us. Virgin most powerful, pray for us. Virgin most merciful, pray for us. Virgin most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of justice, pray for us. Seat of wisdom, pray for us. Cause of our joy, pray for us. Spiritual vessel, pray for us. Vessel of honor, pray for us. Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us. Mystical rose, pray for us. Tower of David, pray for us. Tower of ivory, pray for us. House of gold, pray for us. Ark of the covenant, pray for us. Gate of heaven, pray for us. Morning star, pray for us. Health of the sick, pray for us. Refuge of sinners, pray for us. Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us. Help of Christians, pray for us. Queen of Angels, pray for us. Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us. Queen of Prophets, pray for us. Queen of Apostles, pray for us. Queen of Martyrs, pray for us. Queen of Confessors, pray for us. Queen of Virgins, pray for us. Queen of all Saints, pray for us. Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us. Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. Queen of Peace, pray for us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. LET US PRAY Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants,
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