Devotion for today: Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us

The story of Our Lady of Loreto is fascinating, and I highly recommend that you go to http://catholicism.org/loreto-house.html to read the entire story. Basically, it is the amazing story of how the house where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary was transported by angels to several locations until, in 1291 it came to rest in Tersatto, Yugoslavia. In a vision to the local priest, Mary revealed, ““Know that his house,” she said, “is the same in which I was born and brought up. Here, at the Annunciation….I conceived the Creator of all things. Here, the Word of the Eternal Father became man. The altar which was brought with the house was consecrated by Peter, the Prince of the Apostles. This house has now come to your shores by the power of God….And now in order that you may bear testimony of all these things, be healed. Your unexpected and sudden recovery shall confirm the truth of what I have declared to you.” The next day the priest, Father Georgevich, was completely healed of his visible malady. The little house, which contained an ancient altar, a beautiful statue of the “Holy Mother of God” and a cross bearing her crucified Child, continued its journey and finally came to rest in Loreto, Italy, where it remains to this day. It is stated in the above web site:  Since then, it has become the greatest shrine to Our Lady in the world, ranking even greater than Mary Major in Rome. Over 2,000 canonized, beatified and venerable children of the Church have paid homage to the “Singular Vessel of Devotion” by visiting the home in which she was born, and raised the Son of God. These include St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. John Berchmans, St. Philip Neri, St. Francis de Sales, St. John Capistrano, St. Clement Hofbauer, St. Alphonsus de Liguori, St. Louis de Montfort, St. Benedict Joseph Labre, St. John Neumann, St. John Bosco, St. Therese, Blessed Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Cabrini — just to mention a few. More than fifty Popes have issued Bulls and briefs testifying to its authenticity. Hundreds of Papal documents have granted it privileges, exemptions and authorizations to receive benefits, etc. In 1669 it was given a Mass of its own in the Missal. One of the five litanies approved for public recitation is called after it, the Litany of Loreto.

It is a place of many miracles. Those who have come throughout the ages, beseeching aid from the “Comforter of the Afflicted” usually return home spiritually aided or physically cured. Three successors to the chair of Peter have physically experienced the benevolence of the “Virgin Most Merciful” and were restored to health. They were Pope Pius II, Pope Paul II and Pope Pius IX. Even today cures continue, for Our Lady still exercises her Queenship by interceding for her subjects who implore her aid under the title of Our Lady of Loreto.

The Litany of Our Lady of Loreto was a favorite prayer of St. Faustina, whose family prayed it every night in May. Let us pray it today as a reminder of the many and wonderful titles attributed to Our Lady, and to the confidence we should always feel when praying to her.

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.