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| Madonna del Tindari, ora pro nobis |
September 8th is the Feast of the Madonna del Tindari. Patroness of Patti, Sicily, she is invoked against natural disasters, sickness and invasion. According to tradition, the sacred image of the Black Madonna was smuggled from Constantinople to save it from the iconoclastic controversy troubling the Byzantine Empire in the 8th and 9th centuries. During the journey, a storm forced the ship carrying the statue to seek shelter at Tindari in Northeastern Sicily, where she was entrusted to the local monks. In commemoration, I’m posting a prayer to Our Lady of Tindari. The accompanying photo of the Madonna del Tindari was taken at the Santa Febronia Chapel in Hoboken, New Jersey. Ave Maria!
Prayer to Our Lady of Tindari
Holy Mary of Tindari, gift of the Father, you gave light of day to Our Lord Jesus Christ by the work of the Spirit. In your heart as Mother we trustfully put our joys and pains, our concerns and promises all ourselves and our families. Holding fast to Christ faithful, meek and humble we would like to love as you did loving God as each one of our brothers and sons. Docile to the Spirit and together with you, we accept our mission to bring the gospel to all, by living it. Star leading toward the eternal Jubilee we turn our eyes to you with living hope. With you we walk securely toward the eternal banquet. Amen.
