Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Loreto. It’s a new Feast Day introduced by Pope Francis in 2019.
The Celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto in the General Roman Calendar
· Decree of the Congregation for divine worship and the discipline of the sacraments ·
October 31, 2019
The veneration for the Holy House of Loreto has been, since the Middle Ages, the origin of that peculiar sanctuary frequented, even today, by numerous faithful pilgrims to feed their faith in the Word of God made flesh for us.
That sanctuary recalls the mystery of the Incarnation and prompts all those who visit it to consider the fullness of time, when God sent his Son, born of a woman, and to meditate on both the words of the angel in the Gospel and the words of Virgin who answered the divine call. Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, the humble servant of the Lord has become the house of divinity, the most pure image of the holy Church.
The aforementioned sanctuary, closely linked to the Apostolic See, praised by the Supreme Pontiffs and universally known, has been able to illustrate in an excellent way, over time, no less than Nazareth in the Holy Land, the evangelical virtues of the Holy Family.
In the Holy House, before the effigy of the Mother of the Redeemer and of the Church, Saints and Blesseds have responded to their vocation, the sick have called for consolation in suffering, the people of God has begun to praise and beg the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Litany of Loreto, known all over the world. In particular, those who travel by plane have found in her their heavenly patroness.
In light of all this, the Supreme Pontiff Francis decreed with his authority that the optional memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto be entered in the Roman Calendar on December 10, the day on which there is a feast in Loreto, and celebrated every year. This celebration will help everyone, especially families, young people, religious, to imitate the virtues of the perfect disciple of the Gospel, the Virgin Mother who, conceiving the Head of the Church, also welcomed us with Him.
The new memorial must therefore appear in all the Calendars and Liturgical Books for the celebration of Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours; the relative liturgical texts are attached to this decree and their translations, approved by the Episcopal Conferences, will be published after the confirmation of this Dicastery.
Despite anything against it.
From the headquarters of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments,
7 October 2019, in memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary.
Robert Card. Sarah, praefectus
Arthur Roche, Archbishop Secretary1
Below is some information on this Feast Day.
Our Lady of Loreto is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with the house where Mary was born, the site of the Annunciation, and the dwelling place of the Holy Family. The tradition and history of the Holy House goes back to Apostolic times. In the 13th century the house was mysteriously moved in one piece from Nazareth in the Holy Land to a final resting place in Loreto, Italy, carried by angels, a miracle to which the Church attests. It was transported to prevent its destruction by Muslims who destroyed the basilica which housed it. A new basilica was built around the Holy House in Italy, known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the world. Written at the door of the basilica are these words: "The whole world has no place more sacred … For here was the Word made Flesh, and here was born the Virgin Mother." Our Lady of Loreto is the patron of aviators, fliers, pilots, and builders. Her feast day is December 10th.2
More information on the House of Loreto can be found here.
THE LITANY OF LORETO
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of Mercy,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother of Hope,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honour,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower if ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Solace of Migrants,
Comfort of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.
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.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee,
O Lord God,
that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body;
and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
may be delivered from present sorrow,
and obtain eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.3
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/new-optional-memorial-our-lady-loreto/
The Morning Offering
https://www.vatican.va/special/rosary/documents/litanie-lauretane_en.html