 |
| For the novena, I erected a shrine to Our Lady of Victory with some of the flags of the Holy League (Spain with Naples & Sicily, Venice, & the Papal States) |
Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. ~ St. Padre Pio
Wednesday evening I joined my San Rocco Society brethren for Holy Hour at the Shrine Church of St. Bernadette (8201 13th Ave.) in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. While the parish’s regular devotions have been suspended due to the Coronavirus, Pastor Msgr. Thomas G. Caserta mercifully made an exception for the Feast of Our Lady of Victory and offered the faithful a much needed opportunity to spend time in Eucharistic Adoration.
 |
| (L) Image of the Madonna del Rosario di Pompei in the baptistery. (R) Flowers were offered to Our Lady by the Cordi family |
Without regular access to our churches these days, we took full advantage and arrived an hour early. Kneeling by the image of Our Lady of the Rosary we prayed for the Poor and Forgotten Souls in Purgatory, our ancestors, the intentions of the sick and needy, and, of course, for the victorious Christian forces (Holy League) at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, for which the feast was instituted.
Processing to the tabernacle behind the freestanding altar (sadly, the church no longer has a high altar against the Eastern wall), Msgr. Caserta placed the Most Blessed Sacrament (the consecrated Host) into the monstrance. Incensed by Fr. Juan Luxama, the sacred vessel containing the real presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ was placed on the altar in exposition for us to contemplate and adore.
 |
| (L-R) Relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous and St. Thérèse of Lisieux |
After briefly speaking about Pope St. John Paul II and St. Padre Pio, and why the Holy Rosary is a powerful spiritual weapon against evil, Monsignor led us in praying the Holy Rosary and the meditations on the Glorious Mysteries. For the remainder of the hour, we sat in contemplative silence.
After the Benediction the congregation sang the Salve Regina and prayed the Supplica, a powerful petition for the Blessed Mother’s intercession, under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii. This once popular devotion was publicly revived last year at St. Bernadette’s with the restoration and installation of the church’s beautiful image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii.
 |
| (L) The Infant Jesus of Prague. (R) Outdoor Madonna di Lourdes grotto |
Before leaving we visited the image of Our Lady again, which is in the baptistery and unfortunately was partially obstructed by the statue of Pope St. John Paul II. After our prayers, we had just enough time to venerate the relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and visit the Infant Jesus of Prague and the outdoor Madonna di Lourdes grotto. Madonna del Rosario di Pompei, prega per noi.
~ Giovanni di Napoli, October 9, Feast of San Dionigi di Parigi
