Fruit of the FIAT

 Feast of Our Lady of Loreto

Dec 10

 

 

 

In 1294 the Holy House of Nazareth was brought by angels to Loreto, where it remains today. This house is where the Annunciation occurred and where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph lived as a family. There is a stunning painting of the Annunciation at the Basilica, which surrounds the Holy House, depicting the Word of God in a Sacred Host. It is pierced by a ray coming from the Holy Spirit and reaching Mary, who is kneeling in prayer on a prie-dieu in her house at Nazareth. Many miracles are granted through Our Lady of Loreto’s powerful intercession.

“Where on earth shall we find Jesus but in the arms of Mary!  Was it not she who gave us the Eucharist?  It was her consent to the Incarnation of the Word that inaugurated the great mystery of reparation to God and union with us which Jesus accomplished during His mortal life, and that He continues in the Eucharist. Without Mary we shall never find Jesus, for she possesses Him in her heart. There He takes His delight, and those who wish to know His inmost virtues, to experience the privilege of His intimate love, must seek these in Mary… We can only go to Him through her. The more we love the Eucharist, the more we must love Mary.”

~ St Peter Julian Eymard

 

 

 As the young people who came to Loreto got ready for a long overnight vigil that would last till sunrise, filled with singing, playing music, dancing, doing street theatre, Benedict XVI paid a visit (2007) to the Holy House of Loreto at the start of what some have dubbed ‘Agora (or gathering) Night.’  In a live link-up with the youth outside, he recited a prayer in front of the statue of Our Lady, a prayer which he wrote for them. Here is an English translation of Holy Father’s prayer:

Morning star, talk to us about Him and tell us about the journey following Him on the path of faith.

Mary, who lived with Jesus in Nazareth, etch your feelings in our lives,

May your meekness, your listening silence, make the Word blossom in truly free choices.

Mary, tells us about Jesus, so that the freshness of our faith shines in our eyes and warms the heart of those who are with us, as you did on visiting Elizabeth who in her old age rejoiced with you for the gift of life.

Mary, Virgin of the Magnificat, help us bring joy to the world and, as at Cana, lead every youth who is committed to the service of his brothers do only what Jesus says.

Mary, look upon on the Agora [gathering] of Youth so that it will be fertile ground for the Italian Church.

Pray that Jesus, who died and has risen, is reborn in us, and transform us in a night full of light, full of Him.

Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, heaven’s gate, help us raise our eyes.

We want to see Jesus; talk to Him; proclaim His love to everyone. 

Our Lady of Loreto, ora pro nobis!