Feast of the Madonna di Montevergine and the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Madonna di Montevergine, ora pro nobis

September 12th is the Feast of the Madonna di Montevergine and the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the so-called "Seven Sisters of Campania,” an appellation given to the region's major Marian devotions under different titles, she is also venerated on February 2nd, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Mother.

Enshrined in the hilltop sanctuary in Mercogliano, Avellino, the miraculous icon of Mamma Schiavone in the Greek Galaktotrephousa (Nursing Madonna) style is traditionally attributed to St. Luke and possibly the first icon of Our Lady.

In celebration, we're posting a Prayer to Our Lady of Montevirgine. The accompanying photo was taken at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grotto in Staten Island, New York. Evviva Mamma Schiavona!

Prayer to Our Lady of Montevergine

O Blessed Virgin who have deigned, centuries ago, to choose and consecrate Montevergine as your sanctuary, turn your eyes of mercy upon us kneeling at your feet, honoring you and invoking you in this Holy Image.

O most loving Mother of all the faithful, be always for each one of us a true Mother as you have been until now; and obtain for us the grace to be always your true, loving, respectful and devout children. – Hail Mary.

O Beneficent Treasure of divine graces, give us abundantly the favors we ask of you with confidence; you know well what are the many needs of our souls. – Hail Mary

O most powerful Advocate of poor sinners, assist us in dangers, fortify us in temptations and guard us from all sins; and do not cease to intercede with your Divine Son for the salvation of our souls. until you have led us with you into Heaven. Hail Mary

Feast of the Madonna di Materdomini

Madonna di Materdomini, ora pro nobis

August 14th is the Feast of the Madonna di Materdomini, Patroness of Nocera Superiore in Salerno and one of the so-called "Seven Sisters of Campania,” an appellation given to the region's major Marian devotions under different titles. According to tradition (there are several versions), a soldier wrongly imprisoned escaped from his captors and fled to the safety of his native village. While on the run, Salvo (as he would later be called) stumbled upon an oak tree with a slithering dragon coiled around it. Terrorizing the local peasantry, the fire-breathing serpent brought famine and pestilence to the valley. Spotting the fugitive, the ferocious creature with poison spewing from its eyes and nostrils pounced on the horrified man. Invoking the Virgin, Salvo’s blade miraculously struck home and slew the ghastly beast. News of the slaying quickly spread and the people ventured forth and began the reclamation of the land. Beneath the oak, an icon of the Blessed Mother was unearthed and later enshrined in the Santuario di Materdomini, which was built at the location. In celebration, I’m posting a Prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption. Evviva Madonna di Materdomini!

Prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption

Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, we believe in your triumphant assumption into heaven where the angels and saints acclaim you as Queen. We join them in praising you and bless the Lord who raised you above all creatures. With them we offer you our devotion and love. We are confident that you watch over our daily efforts and needs, and we take comfort from the faith in the coming resurrection. We look to you, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. After this earthly life, show us Jesus, the blest fruit of your womb, O kind, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

Feast of the Madonna Avvocata

Madonna Avvocata, ora pro nobis

The Monday following Pentecost is the Feast of the Madonna Avvocata (Our Lady of the Advocate), one of the so-called "Seven Sisters of Campania,” an appellation given to the region's major Marian devotions under different titles. According to tradition, in 1485 a shepherd named Gabriele Cinnamo was drawn to a cave on top of Mount Falerzio in the Capo d’Orso area of Maiori on the Amalfi Coast. An apparition of the Blessed Mother appeared to Gabriele and instructed him to build a shrine at the location. Gabriele abandoned his life as a shepherd and devoted himself to Our Lady and her request. Over the centuries his modest chapel grew into the magnificent Santuario di Maria Santissima Avvocata, which has become a popular destination for pilgrims and the source of many miracles. In celebration I’m posting a Hail Holy Queen. Evviva Madonna Avvocata!

Hail Holy Queen 

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy: Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this veil of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, o sweet Virgin Mary.

Feast of the Madonna di Castello

Madonna di Castello, ora pro nobis

May 3rd is the Feast of the Madonna di Castello, one of the so-called "Seven Sisters of Campania,” an appellation given to the region's major Marian devotions under different titles. Patroness of Somma Vesuviana, she gets her title from the castle built on the summit of Mount Somma by Charles of Anjou in 1269. The fête is the culmination of the famed “Celebration of the Mountain,” which begins on the Saturday after Easter with bonfires and torchlight processions (the “Saturday of Fires”). The festivities for Mamma Pacchiana (of the people), as the miraculous image is affectionately called, harken back to the restoration of the statue, which was heavily damaged during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631. According to tradition, Our Lady appeared in a dream to the paralyzed daughter of the procrastinating artist commissioned to restore the statue. She commanded the girl to rise and place the neglected statue on her father’s worktable. The next morning, the astonished artist got the message and promptly completed the job. In celebration, we're posting a prayer to the Madonna di Castello. The accompanying photo is from the 2018 calendar from the Santuarrio di S. Maria a Castello. Evviva Maria!

Prayer to the Madonna di Castello

O Holy Virgin, Mother of Jesus and I, listen to my fervent prayer and grant me that I am among those you love and keep in your heart. Purify, Virgin of Castle, my soul from every sinful desire; turn away from me all that is displeasing in your pure eyes. You know my needs because you are the Mother of the needy; you have always manifested the power of your maternal protection, hear my prayer. I promise to live in a Christian way and to spread your devotion. Bless, O Mother, my family and my work, and do not abandon me at the hour of death. Madonna di Castello, pray for me. Amen

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)

Feast of the Madonna dell’Arco

Madonna dell'Arco, ora pro nobis

The Monday after Easter, or Pasquetta, is the Feast of the Madonna dell’Arco, one of the so-called "Seven Sisters of Campania,” an appellation given to the region's major Marian devotions under different titles. Patroness of Sant’Anastasia, Napoli, the miraculous image, which got its name from its proximity to an ancient Roman arch, draws devotees called fujenti (those who come) from towns and villages throughout Campania. In celebration I’m posting a prayer to the Madonna dell’Arco.

Prayer to the Madonna dell’Arco

O Virgin of the Arch, who by means of this holy image painted on the plaster of a modest wall on the public street, worked many great marvels and portents to arouse the amazement of the peoples, showing them to have a particular benevolence towards this place, I beg you to obtain for me from your divine Son Jesus the love and obedience to His holy and divine will for all my life. Ave Maria.

Feast of the Madonna dei Bagni

Madonna dei Bagni, ora pro nobis

Holy, or spy, Wednesday is the Feast of the Madonna dei Bagni, one of the so-called "Seven Sisters of Campania,” an appellation given to the region's major Marian devotions under different titles. Patroness of Scafati, Salerno, she gets the title Our Lady of the Baths from a fountain and spring renowned for their healing properties, especially for skin maladies, near where the sanctuary was later built. In celebration, I’m posting A Prayer to Our Lady for Healing. The image of the Madonna dei Bagni with St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist comes courtesy of the Santuario Madonna dei Bagni in Scafati. Ave Maria.

A Prayer to Our Lady for Healing

Mary Immaculate, you have given yourself to us as our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. You have asked us to pray with confidence, and we will receive great graces. We know your compassion, because you saw your Son suffer and die for us. In your union with his suffering you became the mother of us all. Mary, my mother teach me to understand my suffering as you do and to endure it in union with the suffering of Jesus. In your motherly love, calm my fears and increase my trust in God's loving care.  According to God's plan, obtain for me the healing I need. Intercede with your Son that I may have the strength I need to work for God's glory and the salvation of the world. Amen. Mary, health of the sick, pray for us.

Feast of the Madonna di Montevergine and the Purification of the Blessed Mother

Madonna di Montevergine, ora pro nobis

February 2nd is the Feast of the Madonna di Montevergine and the Purification of the Blessed Mother. One of the so-called "Seven Sisters of Campania,” an appellation given to the region's seven major Marian devotions under different titles, she is also venerated on September 12th, the Feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Enshrined in the hilltop sanctuary in Mercogliano, Avellino, the miraculous icon depicting Mamma Schiavone in the Greek Galaktotrephousa (Nursing Madonna) style is traditionally attributed to St. Luke and possibly the first icon of Our Lady.

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Our Lady of Montevirgine. The accompanying photo was taken at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Pontifical Shrine in East Harlem, New York. Evviva Mamma Schiavona!

Prayer to Our Lady of Montevergine

O Blessed Virgin who have deigned, centuries ago, to choose and consecrate Montevergine as your sanctuary, turn your eyes of mercy upon us kneeling at your feet, honoring you and invoking you in this Holy Image.

O most loving Mother of all the faithful, be always for each one of us a true Mother as you have been until now; and obtain for us the grace to be always your true, loving, respectful and devout children. – Hail Mary.

O Beneficent Treasure of divine graces, give us abundantly the favors we ask of you with confidence; you know well what are the many needs of our souls. – Hail Mary

O most powerful Advocate of poor sinners, assist us in dangers, fortify us in temptations and guard us from all sins; and do not cease to intercede with your Divine Son for the salvation of our souls. until you have led us with you into Heaven. Hail Mary