August 15th is The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commemorating Our Lady's death and corporeal ascent into Heaven. In celebration of this joyous occasion, I'm posting "Praise to the Queen of Heaven" (Salvi Regina), a prayer from Prayers and Devotional Songs of Sicily, edited and translated by Peppino Ruggeri.(*) The accompanying photo was taken during my 2010 pilgrimage to the Duomo in Ravello. Founded in 1086, the Duomo was originally dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. It has since been consecrated to San Pantaleone. Evviva Madonna dell'Assunta!A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
Praise to the Queen of Heaven
Hail to you Mary, Mother of Mercy
Life, sweetness, and spring of joy
In you we trust when in trouble or pain
To you we come when we are in tears
In affliction your comfort we obtain.
Hear our pleas, our sweet defender
Virgin Mother with all sorrow laden
To our God you prayers direct
Because our actions have no effect
The door of paradise open to all
When death for comes to call
Amen.
(*) Prayers and Devotional Songs of Sicily, edited and translated into English by Peppino Ruggeri, Legas 2009, p.139
