Octave of the Immaculate Conception

(by Father Francis Xavier Weninger, 1876)

"Thou art terrible as an army set in array."--Cant. vi.

The Holy Ghost assures us that the life of man is a warfare. It began at the fall of our first parents, and rested upon all of Adam's descendants, excepting her, whose Immaculate Conception. Yes, it is a severe struggle which we have to maintain against the powers of darkness; against lucifer and his allies, the fallen angels; against the world and the flesh, which, enrolled under the standard of the fallen prince of angels, and swayed by his influence and direction, oppose us as the enemies of our salvation.

The name of the Church upon earth, whose children we are, reminds us of this. We call it the "Church militant," and this it really is. But for this very reason is she destined to be for all eternity the "Church triumphant." If one day we desire to join her in the cry of victory, then must we also, like faithful children, combat and triumph with her. It is certain that we have a powerful enemy in lucifer and his allies; still we have no reason to be discouraged on this account, since Christ, the victor over death and hell, has provided us with so many weapons with which, assisted by His grace, we can ably defend ourselves. He appointed His own mother, Mary, to be, in particular, the guardian of His Church and of His children.

Let us draw near to her. Assisted by her, we will most assuredly conquer. I say Mary is the terror of hell, the well-ordered army arrayed against the enemies of our salvation. Why? To this I will give the answer today. O Mary, we unite our prayers with those of the Church on this day, and fly to thee for aid and protection. Defended by thee, no temptation can harm us! I speak in the holy name of Jesus, to the greater honor of God! I called Mary the terror of hell. In her conception she crushed the head of satan. Protected by her we will be stronger than all the powers of satan.

The promise which was given in paradise by the Redeemer, points to Mary, the mother of the Saviour, as the strong woman who was to crush the head of satan. And the same is verified by the various types which Scripture presents to us in the heroines of the Old Testament. Deborah and Judith were types or figures of the Blessed Virgin; and the Church refers the words of the Canticle, which speaks of a well-ordered army and the Ark of the Covenant, to Mary.

At the foot of the cross we behold Mary, the strong tower before which hung the armor of the mighty. I, therefore, justly call Mary the terror of hell. We will better understand these types by considering the reasons which cause a general to fear his adversary.

The first is the very person of an opponent, who, by his dignity, his character, and his talents, exercises an unbounded influence over the army intrusted to his command, so that his subjects, urged on by the consciousness of victory, obey his every word without hesitation. How terrible is Mary in this respect, as opposed to satan. It is true, lucifer and all the fallen angels were' gifted with incomparably higher talents than we; but this, their former natural glory, disappears when we remember the grandeur of Mary. She is the mother of the Jesus, whom the eternal Father has so exalted that in His name, and in acknowledgment of His power, every knee in heaven and on earth shall bend.

Next to Christ, seated on a throne of glory, is His mother Mary, who reigns as queen of heaven and earth, surrounded with such glory and magnificence as to cause all the former splendor of satan to vanish. In connection with this honor and glory, Mary, as mother of Jesus, also enjoys a power which gives her the right to say with Christ: "To me is given all power in heaven and on earth,"--a power which likewise justifies her in saying with her Son: "No one is able to wrest my sheep from me," as long as they have recourse to me, their mother and queen. Jesus, my Son, has shared His power with me. I can oppose hell with His words. And if I would ask Him to send me even a legion of angels to fight against thee, lucifer, and thy hosts, He would grant my request at once.

Not only is Mary in herself a power so terrible to hell, but how many other powers are prepared, awaiting only her command to fight against hell! A general and his soldiers are filled with still greater dismay when they perceive the approaching commander to be at the head of a mighty army, valiant, experienced in warfare, and in every respect superior to their own. Mary is the queen of angels, of whom each one has baffled and triumphed over lucifer.

Let us call to mind the arrogance of Sennacherib who, relying on the strength of his armies, contemned God, and, as it were, challenged Him to combat. The following day 185,000 corpses were strewn around Jerusalem. In one night they were slain by one single angel whom God had sent, and Jerusalem was delivered. I make the application and say: All the angels look up to Mary as their queen, and they are prepared to fight against hell at any moment, when there is question of the salvation of a soul who implores the protection of the mother of God.

Thus it occurred at one time that a number of evil spirits besieged the death-bed of a woman who, in her agony, called upon Mary. Mary summoned Michael, the Archangel. He, accompanied by numerous angels, advanced towards the dying person, and the evil spirits fled in dismay. So also St. Francis Jerome, dying, cast a glance on an image of the Blessed Virgin, and sighed: "O Mary, thou who hast ever been my refuge, protect me in this hour!" And lo! his countenance became radiant, and, bowing to the image of the Virgin, he said joyfully: "Now all is right--Magnificat"; and his spirit was eleased.

Just as a person is terrified and draws back when a flash of lightning has struck something near him, so also satan retreats, when, in temptation, we call upon Mary. This is affirmed by Thomas a Kempis. A general is filled with dread if he is aware that the commander who opposes him possesses more strategic talents than he, and is thereby better fitted to command. lucifer knows full well that he has such an opponent in Mary, the queen of the cherubim, the seat of heavenly wisdom, the wisest of virgins. And when a general knows that his opponent has often fought, and has always been victorious, this knowledge especially strikes terror into his soul. But count the victories of Mary.

St. Bernard could in truth address the Blessed Virgin thus: "O Mary, it is unheard of, that any one has fled to thy protection or sought thy mediation without obtaining relief." And does not the Church refer these words also to Mary: "Whoever seeks me will find life, and obtain salvation from the Lord?" And the holy Fathers unanimously declare that the veneration of the Blessed Virgin is a sure pledge of perseverance in the hour of death. It is indeed a highly consoling thought expressed by the spiritual writers, that no one for whom Mary has once offered her prayers to God will be lost. Mary obtains for those souls the grace of conversion and of perseverance to the end; that is, if we earnestly desire to do all that Mary requires of us. And what these requirements are, can be inferred from the words she addressed to the waiters in the dining-hall at Canaan: "Do all that He bids you to do; "that is to say, if we have but the sincere good-will to follow Christ in the manner in which the Church teaches us, then we may expect every thing from the Blessed Virgin, even if the bringing about of our conversion required a miracle.

It is especially the devotion to Mary in her Immaculate Conception, which proves a powerful weapon in our strife against hell. If you are severely tempted, say one Ave every night and morning, in honor of the Immaculate Conception. Call on the Blessed Virgin in the hour of temptation, and you will be victorious. When confidence fills the warrior's breast, then may it be said that victory is assured. And we certainly will not lack this feeling of confidence if we place ourselves under the victorious banner of Mary, for she is the mother of the children of God, and the mother of sweet hope.

May the Blessed Virgin so dispose our hearts in fighting for God, and for the salvation of our immortal souls, that with her we may conquer and be crowned! Amen!

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Double of the Second Class Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - White Vestments ( Salve, sancta parens )

Propers of the Mass

God of power and mercy,
Thou blessed the Americas at Tepeyac
with the presence of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe.
May her prayers help all men and women
to accept each other as brothers and sisters.
Through Thy Justice present in our hearts
may Thy Peace reign in the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
who lives and reigns with Thee
and the Holy Ghost, one God,
for ever and ever.Amen.

One of the most beautiful series of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Queen Heaven - occurred on the American continent on a December day of 1531, only ten years after the Spanish conquest. Mesoamerica, the New World, 1521: The capital city of the Aztec empire falls under the Spanish forces. Less than 20 years later, 9 million of the inhabitants of the land, who professed for centuries a polytheistic and human sacrificing religion, are converted to Christianity. What happened in those times that produced such an incredible and historically unprecedented conversion?
In 1531 a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a poor Indian at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City; she identified herself as the Mother of the True God, instructed him to have the bishop build a temple on the site and left an image of herself imprinted miraculously on his tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of decay 469 years later and still defies all scientific explanations of its origin. A fervent Christian Indian in his fifties, Juan Diego, a widower, was on his way to Mass in Mexico City from his home eight miles distant, a practice he and his wife had followed since their conversion, in honor of Our Lady on Her day, Saturday. He had to pass near the hill of Tepeyac, and was struck there by the joyous song of birds, rising up in the most melodious of concerts; he stopped to listen. Looking up to the hilltop, he perceived a brilliant cloud, surrounded by a light brighter than a fiery sun, and a gentle voice called him by name, saying, "Juan, come." His first fear was transformed into a sweet happiness by this voice, and he mounted the slope. There he beheld the One he had intended to honor by hearing Her Mass. She was surrounded by a radiance so brilliant it sent out rays that seemed to transform the very rocks into scintillating jewels.

"Where are you going, My child?" She asked him. "To Saint James to hear the Mass sung by the minister of the Most High in honor of the Mother of the Saviour." "That is good, My son; your devotion is agreeable to Me, as is also the humility of your heart. Know then that I am that Virgin Mother of God, Author of Life and Protector of the weak. I desire that a temple be built here, where I will show Myself to be your tender Mother, the Mother of your fellow citizens and of all who invoke My name with confidence. Go to the bishop and tell him faithfully all you have seen and heard."

Juan continued on his way, and the bishop, Monsignor Juan de Zumarraga, a Franciscan of great piety and enlightened prudence, heard him kindly and asked questions, but sent him home without any promises. Juan was disappointed, but on his way past the hill, he once again found the Lady, who seemed to be waiting for him as though to console him. He excused himself for the failure of his mission, but She only repeated Her desire to have a temple built at this site, and told him to return again to the bishop. This he did on the following day, begging the bishop to accomplish the desires of the Virgin. Monsignor said to him: “If it is the Most Holy Virgin who sends you, She must prove it; if She wants a church, She must give me a sign of Her will.” On his way home, Juan Diego found Her again, waiting, and She said to him, “Come back tomorrow and I will give you a certain mark of the truthfulness of your words.”

The next day Juan was desolate to find his uncle, with whom he lived, fallen grievously sick; the old gentleman was clearly on the brink of death. Juan had to go and find a priest in the city. As he was passing the hill, Our Lady again appeared to him, saying, “Do not be anxious, Diego, because of your uncle’s illness. Don’t you know that I am your Mother and that you are under My protection? At this moment your uncle is cured.” “Then please give me the sign you told me of,” replied Juan. Mary told him to come up to the hilltop and cut the flowers he would find there, place them under his cloak, and bring them to Her. “I will tell you then what to do next.” Juan found the most beautiful of roses and lilies, and chose the most fragrant ones for Mary. She made a bouquet of them and placed it in a fold of his cloak or tilma — a large square of coarse cloth resembling burlap. “Take these lilies and roses on My behalf to the bishop,” She said. “This is the certain sign of My will. Let there be no delay in raising here a temple in My honor.” With joy Juan continued on to the city and the bishop’s residence, where he had to wait nearly all day in the antechamber. Other visitors noted the fragrance of his flowers, and went so far as to open his mantle to see what he was carefully holding in it, but found only flowers pictured on the cloth. When finally he was admitted to the presence of the prelate, he opened his cloak and the fresh flowers fell on the floor. That was not the only sign; on his cloak there was imprinted a beautiful image of the Virgin. It remains today still visible in the Cathedral of Mexico City, conserved under glass and in its original state, having undergone no degeneration in 471 years.

Juan found his uncle entirely cured that evening; he heard him relate that Our Lady had cured him, and had said to him also: "May a sanctuary be raised for Me under the name of Our Lady of Guadalupe." The bishop lost no time in having a small church built at the hill of Tepeyac, and Juan Diego himself dwelt near there to answer the inquiries of the pilgrims who came in great numbers. In effect, nearly all of the land became Catholic in a few years’ time, having learned to love the gentle Lady who like God their Father showed Herself to be the ever-watchful friend of the poor. In 1737 the pestilence ceased immediately in Mexico city after the inhabitants made a vow to proclaim Our Lady of Guadalupe the principal Patroness of New Spain. In 1910 She was proclaimed by Pope Saint Pius X "Celestial Patroness of all Latin America." Recent studies of the image of Our Lady on the tilma have discovered in one of Her eyes the portrait of the obedient one Juan Diego and the bishop who did not oppose Our Lady's request. The result: Over 9 million conversions. She came to stop human sacrifice by the Aztec nation. She entreats all her children to stop the abominable human sacrifice of abortion. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of the Americas, is Our Lady of the Unborn

Related articles by Zemanta:

• [MaryVitamin] go to the hill of Tepeyac
• Virgin of Guadalupe appears to Mexican peasant
• Our Lady of Guadalupe
• The Mysterious Eyes Of Our Lady of Guadalupe
• The Virgin Mary brought comfort to Juan Diego

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The Amazing and Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Part 2

The Amazing and Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Short Litany, or Antiphon and Oration, of the Immaculate Conception ( indulgence 500 days )

V. Tota Pulchra es, Maria.                V. Thou art all fair, O Mary.
R. Tota pulchra es, Maria.                 R. Thou art all fair, O Mary.
V. Et Macula originalis non est in te.  V. The original stain is not in thee.
R. Et Macula originalis non est in te.   R. The original stain is not in thee.
V. Tu gloria Jerusalem                       V. Thou art the glory of Jerusalem.
R. Tu laetitia Israel.                           R. Thou art the glory of Jerusalem.
V. Tu honorificentia populi nostri.       V. Thou art the honor of our people.
R. Tu advocata peccatorum.              R. Thou art the advocate of sinners.
V. O Maria.                                      V. O Mary!
R. O Maria.                                      R. O Mary!
V. Virgo prudentissima.                     V. Virgin most prudent
R. Mater clementissima.                    R. Mother most tender.
V. Ora pro nobis.                              V. Pray for us.
R. Intercede pro nobis ad Dominum Jesum Christum.
R. Intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
V. In Conceptione tua, Virgo, immaculata fuiste.
V. In thy Conception, holy Virgin, thou was immaculate.
R. Ora pro nobis Patrem, cujus Filium Peperisti.
R. Pray for us to the Father, Whose Son was born of thee.


Oremus. Deus, qui per Immaculatum Virginis Conceptionem dignum Filio tuo habitaculum praeparasti: Quaesumus, ut qui ex morte ejusdem Filii tui praevisa eam ab omni labe praeservasti, nos quoque mundos ejus intercessione ad te perveniere concedas. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen

Let us pray. O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling place for Thy Divine Son: grant that as in view of the death of that Son, Thou didst preserve her form all stain of sin, so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us that, cleansed by her intercession, we too may arrive at Thy eternal glory. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen

(Indulgence 500 days for the Litany, 300 days for the vesicle "In Conceptione" and three years for the prayer.)

Prayer in Honor of the Immaculate Conception

Dear, Blessed Lady! by many titles art thou known and loved; but as Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ Incarnate none is greater, holier, more beautifully commemorative of thy ineffable prerogatives than the one of thy Immaculate conception.
It is the prayer of Thine own pure lips, and as such obtains for us special favors and graces.
Thus prostrate before thee, O purest of Virgins, we offer thee our profoundest homage, and hail thee as our queen conceived without sin!
Cast us not from thee, O tenderest Mother, but open to us the inexhaustible fountain of Divine graces, and be the holy refuge of our sin-burdened souls. Amen

Litany of Our Lady of Loretto

Lord, have Mercy on us.
Christ, have Mercy on us.
Lord, have Mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously 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.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of families, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, 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 takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have Mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Grant unto us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, at all times to enjoy health of soul and body, and by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, when freed from the sorrows of this present life, to enter into that joy which has no end. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Oh Mary, Immaculate Virgin, for the sake of your blessed house, which we the angels moved to the pleasant hills of Loreto, turn your benevolent eyes toward us.

For the holy wall within which you were born and lived as a child, with prayers and the most sublime love; for the fortunate walls that listened to the greetings of the angel who called you: "Blessed among all women" and which remind us of the incarnation of the word in your purest bosom; for your blessed house, where you lived with Jesus and Joseph, and which became during the centuries the fervently longed-for destination of the saints, who considered themselves lucky to kiss fervently your sacred walls, bestow upon us the graces which we humbly ask, and the fortune of coming to Heaven after the exile, to repeat to you the greetings of the angel: Hail Mary."

Feast of The Translation of the Holy House of Loreto

The Holy House of Loreto is the same house of Nazareth that the Archangel Gabriel visited in the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is there where the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us. The Holy Family also lived there in its return from Egypt and where Jesus spent 30 of his 33 years next to the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph.

The Holy House was soon turned into a place of gathering for the celebration of the Holy Mass of the early Christians. We can imagine with what love and veneration they took care of this Holy Place.
Today the Holy House is located inside the Basilica which was built for the House in Loreto, Italy. Inside the house of Loreto the small statue of the Virgin of Loreto is venerated.
The Holy House of Nazareth had two parts: one was a small grotto and the second part was a small brick structure that extended from the entrance of the grotto. The brick structure did not have but three walls, since one side touched the wall of the grotto.
How did the house of Nazareth arrive in Loreto, Italy? There are various traditions. One of them speaks of angels who transported the house by air. There are documents, however, that seem to indicate that the one responsible was a merchant named Nicéforo Angelo of the 13th century. Perhaps his last name inspired the idea of the move by the angels. In any case, such an extraordinary task undoubtedly had the protection and guide from Heaven. The angel had already said to the Virgin Mary in that same house, “For nothing is impossible for God.”

Attempt to destroy the Holy House

The House of Loreto is Sacred in virtue of who lived in it. Many consider the Holy House of Loreto as one of the most sacred places in the world and God did not want this house to be profaned or destroyed, but preserved for forever.

The devil, men, and the world usually go against everything God wants and with this blessed house it was the same. In 1291, the Sarracenes were conquering Holy Land. They wanted to erase the entire history of Christianity and the best way for them was by destroying all of the sacred places. They thought that by eliminating all of the visible signs of Christianity they would extinguish their love and devotion.

They went in search of each place that was venerated for its association with the life of Christ. When they arrived at the proximity of Nazareth, the Holy House did not have human defense. It was well-known because Christians from the time of the Apostles held it with great reverence and celebrated Holy Mass there. The enemies said, “Never again will Christians celebrate the Annunciation here.”

The Basilica built over the Holy House had already been destroyed twice before. The first time was in 1090 a.d. Nonetheless, the house remained intact. The Crusaders rebuilt the Basilica, but in 1263 it was destroyed again. Once again the Crusaders tried to protect the Holy House, but this time, they were not able to rebuild the Basilica and the Holy House was left unprotected.

The Tradition of the Angelic Move

According to this tradition, in 1291 when the Crusaders lost control over the Holy Land, our Lord decided to send angels to protect his Holy House and gave them the order to move the house to a secure place.
“Take the Holy House to a secure place, far away from the hatred of my enemies of this land where I was born. Raise it above to the air where no one can reach it. May no one see it.”

On May 12th of 1291, the angels moved the house to a small town named Tersatto in Croatia. Very early in the morning the neighbors discovered it and they were astonished to see this House without a foundation and they could not explain how it arrived there. They entered and saw an altar of rock. On the altar there was a cedar statue of the Virgin Mary who had the child Jesus in her arms. The Child Jesus had his two fingers of his right hand extended as if he was giving a blessing. With his left hand he held a golden sphere that represented the world. Both were dressed with robes and had golden crowns.

Some days later, the Virgin Mary appeared to a priest of that place and explained to him where the house came from. She said, “You should know that the house that was recently brought to your land is the same house in which I was born and grew up. Here, in the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel, I conceived the Creator of all things. Here, the Word became flesh. The altar that was moved with the house was consecrated by Peter, the Prince of the Apostles. This house has come from Nazareth to your land by the power of God for whom nothing is impossible. Now, so that you can give a testimony of this, be healed. Your unexpected and sudden healing will confirm the truth that I have declared to you today.”

The priest who had been sick for a long time was healed immediately and announced to the people the miracle that had occured. Pilgrimages to the Holy House began. The residents of this small town built over the Holy House a simple building to protect it from the elements of nature.

The joy of the Croatians, however, lasted a very short time. After the three years and seven months that the house was in this town, on the night of December 10 of 1294, the house disappeared from Tersatto to never return again.

A devoted resident of Tersatto built a small church on the place where the house had been. It was a replica of the Holy House and he put the following inscription, “The Holy House of the Virgin Mary came from Nazareth on May 10, 1291 and stayed here until December 10, 1294.

The Croatian people continued to venerate our Blessed Mother in the replica of the Holy House. Their devotion was so great that Pope Urban V sent the people of Tersatto an image of Our Blessed Mother in 1367. This image is believed to have been sculpted by Saint Luke.

The Holy House is taken to Italy

On December 10 of 1294, some shepherds of the region of Loreto in Italy reported to have seen a house flying over the ocean, held by angels. There was an angel dressed with a red cape (Saint Michael) who directed the others and the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus were seated on the House. The angels lowered the house on the place named Banderuola.

Many arrived to visit this holy house, but there were also some who went to mug the pilgrims. For this reason, people stopped going and the house was again moved by the angels to a hill in the middle of a farm. The Holy House would not remain there for much longer. The farm belonged to two brothers who began to discuss who was the owner of the house. For a third time the house was moved to another hill and they placed it in the middle of the path. This is the place that it has occupied for 700 years.
The residents of Recanati and Loreto truly did not know the story of the Holy House; they only knew of the miracles that took place there. Two years later, the Virgin Mary appeared to a hermit named Paul and she told him the origin and the history of the Holy House:

“It was kept in the city of Nazareth until with the permission of God those who honored this house were thrown out by the enemies. Since it was no longer honored and it was in danger of being profaned, my Son wanted to transfer it from Nazareth to Yugoslavia and from there to your land.”
Paul then told this story to the townspeople and they began a process to verify the authenticity of the house. They first went to Tersatto and later to Nazareth.

Investigations From the Experts
The experts assigned to this project went to Tersatto. There they verified that the walls were of a reddish color and close to 16 inches wide. They also discovered that the replica measured exactly the same as the Loreto house. The house measured 31 ¼ feet long by 13 feet 4 inches wide by 28 feet high. It had only one door of 7feet tall and 4 1/2 feet wide. It also had a window. All of the descriptions, including those of the interior elements and the statues agreed. In Nazareth they discovered that it truly was the house of the Virign Mary. The measurements of its foundatin were exactly the same as those of Loreto and the model built in Tersatto.

After six months they returned to Loreto and declared the authenticity of the Holy House. Years later, they found coins underneath the house that were not only from the area of Nazareth but also from the time during which the house was in Nazareth. The stones and the soil used to fill the house were identical to the ones used in Nazareth during that time and civilation. The house does not have a foundation since it stayed in Nazareth.

A Sacred Place

The Holy House is considered one of the most sacred places in the world. Before the Holy House was transferred, Saint Francis of Assisi had profetized that one day Loreto would be called the most sacred place in the world and, for this reason, a house should be built there.

Many saints, blesseds, and Popes have visited the house. Amongst them: Saint Francis of Sales made his vows of celibacy in the Holy House; Saint Therese of Lisieux – before she went to ask the Pope for permission to enter the Carmel at the age of 15, she visited the Holy House; Saint Maximilian Kolbe – in his return to the city of the Immaculata, shortly before being taken to the concentration camp; and many other saints.
Many pilgrims go each year to visit the Holy House, the place where the Holy Family lived and received the graces God wanted to grant them. It is a tradition to pray on one’s knees the Holy Rosary around the House. It is a penetiantial rosary asking the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Processions with candles of the Blessed Sacrament form part of the celebrations in the Basilica of the Holy House of Loreto.

Immaculate Conception Novena - Day 7-

Invocation to be Said Every Day of the Novena:

Thou art all fair, O Mary,
The Original Stain is not in thee.
Thou art the glory of Jerusalem,
Thou, the joy of Israel,
Thou, the great honor of our people
Thou, the advocate of sinners.
O Mary,O Mary,
Virgin most prudent,
Mother most merciful,
Pray for us,
Intercede for us with our Lord Jesus Christ.Amen

Day 7:

Most holy Virgin, who, being predestined to become the Mother of God, wast preserved by a singular privilege from Original Sin and filled with grace, confirmed in grace and enriched with all the gifts of the Holy Ghost, do thou accept, we pray, the homage of our most lively admiration and of our most profound veneration, the expression of our intense and reverent affection.

Beholding in thee a relic of the earthly paradise that was lost to man, purer and more spotless than the snowy splendor of mountain tops bathed in light, in that magnificent act of treading upon the proud head of the infernal serpent, the Heavens exulted, earth was filled with joy, and Hell trembled with fear. With thee came the bright dawn of man's redemption from sin, and when the children of men, having for centuries anxiously scanned the horizon in expectation of a fairer day, raised their heads, they discovered thee on high like a radiant vision of paradise and saluted thee with a cry of holy enthusiasm: "Thou art all fair, O Mary, and in thee there is no Original Stain."

At our feet, O Mary, the muddy torrent of lust did not halt, as it did before thine, that torrent that still flows across the world and threatens continually to submerge our souls also. We bear about within us and perceive around us countless deadly incentives that cease not to urge us on to savor the foul pleasures of sensual passion. O good Mother, enfold us under thy mantle, protect us from the snares of the infernal enemy, renew in us our love of the angelic virtue, and grant that, by ever keeping vivid in our hearts the reflections of thy heavenly brightness, we may be able one day to sing to thee a hymn of love and glory in the world to come.
(The Raccolta)

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.Amen

Hail Mary

Immaculate Conception Novena - Day 6-

Invocation to be Said Every Day of the Novena:

Thou art all fair, O Mary,
The Original Stain is not in thee.
Thou art the glory of Jerusalem,
Thou, the joy of Israel,
Thou, the great honor of our people
Thou, the advocate of sinners.
O Mary,O Mary,
Virgin most prudent,
Mother most merciful,
Pray for us,
Intercede for us with our Lord Jesus Christ.Amen

Day 6

O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst make ready a fitting habitation for Thy Son, we beseech Thee that Thou who didst keep her clean from all stain by the precious death of the same Thy Son, foreseen by Thee, mayest grant unto us in like manner to be made clean through her intercession and so attain unto Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen (Roman Missal).
The Raccolta

By thine Immaculate Conception, O Mary, make my body pure and my spirit holy.Amen
Hail Mary.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena ~ Second Day ~

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
According to your message in Mexico
I venerate you as "the Virgin Mother
Of the true God for whom we live,
The Creator of all the world,
Maker of heaven and earth."
In spirit I kneel before your most holy Image
Which you miraculously imprinted
Upon the cloak of the Indian Juan Diego,
And with the faith
Of the countless numbers of pilgrims
Who visit your shrine,
I beg you for this favor:
To be a generous, self-sacrificing,
Faithful Marian Catechist all the days of my life.

Remember, O Immaculate Virgin,
The words you spoke to your devout client,
"I am a merciful Mother to you
And to all your people
Who love me and trust in me And invoke my help.
I listen to their lamentations and solace
All their sorrows and their sufferings."
I beg you to be a merciful Mother to me,
Because I sincerely love you and trust in you
And invoke your help.
I entreat you, Our Lady of Guadalupe,
To grant my request,
If this should be the Will of God,
In order that I may
"Bear witness to your love, your compassion,
Your help and protection."
Do not forsake me in my needs. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Day 2

O Mary, conceived without sin,
I come to your throne of grace
to share the fervent devotion
of your faithful Mexican children
who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of Guadalupe.
Obtain for me a lively faith to do your Son’s holy will always:
May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
(our prayer petition here..)


Our Father..Hail Mary..Glory Be

Immaculate Conception Novena ~ Fourth Day ~

Invocation to be Said Every Day of the Novena:

Thou art all fair, O Mary,
The Original Stain is not in thee.
Thou art the glory of Jerusalem,
Thou, the joy of Israel,
Thou, the great honor of our people
Thou, the advocate of sinners.
O Mary, O Mary,
Virgin most prudent,
Mother most merciful,
Pray for us,
Intercede for us with our Lord Jesus Christ.Amen

Day 4:

O pure and immaculate and likewise blessed Virgin, who art the sinless Mother of thy Son, the mighty Lord of the universe, thou who art forever Immaculate and altogether holy, the hope of the hopeless and sinful, we sing thy praises.
We bless thee, as full of every grace, thou who didst bear the God-Man: we all bow low before thee; we invoke thee and implore thine aid.
Rescue us, O holy and forever Virgin Mary , from every necessity that presses upon us and from all the temptations of the devil.
Be our intercessor and advocate at the hour of death and judgment; deliver us from the fire that is not extinguished and from the outer darkness; make us worthy of the glory of thy Son, O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother.

Thou indeed art our only hope most sure and sacred in God's sight, to whom be honor and glory, majesty and dominion for ever and ever world without end. Amen
(St. Ephrem the Syrian)

In thy Conception, O Virgin Mary, thou wast immaculate; pray for us to the Father whose Son Jesus, after He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, thou didst bring forth into the world. Amen

Novena to Our Lady Of Guadalupe ~ Day 1 ~

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
According to your message in Mexico
I venerate you as "the Virgin Mother
Of the true God for whom we live,
The Creator of all the world,
Maker of Heaven and earth."
In spirit I kneel before your most holy Image
Which you miraculously imprinted
Upon the cloak of the Indian Juan Diego,
And with the faith
Of the countless numbers of pilgrims
Who visit your shrine,
I beg you for this favor:
To be a generous, self-sacrificing,
Faithful Marian Catechist all the days of my life.

Remember, O Immaculate Virgin,
The words you spoke to your devout client,
"I am a merciful Mother to you
And to all your people
Who love me and trust in me And invoke my help.
I listen to their lamentations and solace
All their sorrows and their sufferings."
I beg you to be a merciful Mother to me,
Because I sincerely love you and trust in you
And invoke your help.
I entreat you, Our Lady of Guadalupe,
To grant my request,
If this should be the Will of God,
In order that I may
"Bear witness to your love, your compassion,
Your help and protection."
Do not forsake me in my needs. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. Hail Mary ..(3 times)

First Day

Dearest Lady of Guadalupe,
Fruitful Mother of holiness,
Teach me your ways
Of gentleness and strength.
Hear my humble prayer
Offered with heartfelt confidence
To beg this petition (here our prayer intention).

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Introduction to Novena to our Lady of Guadalupe

Most welcome in praying a Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

At the time Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531, the Aztec culture of death was killing 20% of Mexican children. Her miraculous presence crushed the head of death in the Aztec culture, saving thousands from a violent sacrificial death. It was through the conversion of hearts–9 million in ten years–that this miracle occurred! Today, 25% of our children are sacrificed through the violence of abortion. The Aztecs participated in human sacrifice because they lived in constant fear and despair, always anticipating the wrath of gods who would devour them. The fear that forced the Aztecs into human sacrifice is similar to the fears that drive so many today to abortion: fear that children will devour our rights, freedom, wealth, time, autonomy or fear that originates from utter despair and hopelessness.

Yet, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe we have HOPE! Her appearance and miraculous image led to the conversion of millions, defeating the Aztec culture of death, and our intercession to her today will bring new hope to our world through conversion, defeating the culture of death that we now face. Our Lady of Guadalupe told Juan Diego, “I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence.” Our Lady of Guadalupe, “the Star of the New Evangelization”, will transform hearts, converting our culture to new life and hope through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Immaculate Conception Novena ~ Third Day ~

Invocation to be said Every Day of the Novena:

Thou art all fair, O Mary,
The Original Stain is not in thee.
Thou art the glory of Jerusalem,
Thou, the joy of Israel,
Thou, the great honor of our people

Day 3:

Immaculate Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Mother of mercy, Advocate and Refuge of sinners, behold, I, enlightened and inspired by the graces obtained for me abundantly from the Divine treasury through thy maternal affection, resolve this day and always to place my heart in thy hands to be consecrated to Jesus.

To thee, therefore, most Blessed Virgin, in the presence of the nine choirs of Angels and all the Saints, I now give it. Do thou, in my name, consecrate it to Jesus; and out of the filial confidence which I hereby make profession of, I am certain that now and always thou wilt do all thou canst to bring it to pass that my heart may ever wholly belong to Jesus, and may imitate perfectly the example of the Saints, and in particular that of Saint Joseph, thy most pure Spouse. Amen.
(Bl. Vincent Pallotti - prayer from The Raccolta )

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Thou, the advocate of sinners.
O Mary, O Mary, Virgin most prudent, Mother most merciful,
Pray for us, intercede for us with our Lord Jesus Christ.Amen

Immaculate Conception Novena ~ Second Day ~

Invocation to be Said Every Day of the Novena:

Thou art all fair, O Mary,
The Original Stain is not in thee.
Thou art the glory of Jerusalem,
Thou, the joy of Israel,
Thou, the great honor of our people
Thou, the advocate of sinners.
O Mary, O Mary,
Virgin most prudent,
Mother most merciful,
Pray for us,
Intercede for us with our Lord Jesus Christ.Amen

Day 2:

O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon me thine eyes of pity.
Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech thee to extend to me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul.
And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee.
I consecrate my heart to thee for ever, my only desire being to love thy Divine Son Jesus.
Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen.
(The Raccolta )

O Mary, thou didst enter the world without stain; 
do thou obtain for me from God, 
that I may leave it without sin.Amen