Feast of the Madonna delle Galline

Madonna delle Galline, ora pro nobis

The Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Madonna delle Galline, or Our Lady of the Hens, protectress of Pagani, a small town in the Province of Salerno. One of the so-called "Seven Sisters of Campania,” an appellation given to the region's major Marian devotions under different titles, the feast commemorates the discovery of a miraculous Marian icon painted on a wooden table top. According to popular tradition, the image of the Madonna del Carmine was brought to light by a brood of rasping chickens, hence the title Our Lady of the Hens. Dating back to the 8th or 9th century, it is believed that the table was hidden by a group of monks trying to save it from the destruction of marauding Saracens. Discovered in the 16th century, eight miracles, including the healing of a cripple, has been attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Mother through the sacred image. In celebration I'm posting a Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The accompanying photo of the Madonna delle Galline with painting of St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, St. Costanza and St. Agatha interceding to liberate the souls of Purgatory (attributed to Giovanni Vincenzo Forli, c.1580–c.1625) comes courtesy of Diocesi Nocera Inferiore – Sarno. The icon and painting are enshrined above the High Altar inside the Santuario della Madonna delle Galline in Pagani. Ave Maria!

Prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity (make your request). O star of the sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to aid me in my need; there are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (three times) Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. (three times)