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Madonna della Stella, ora pro nobis
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September 8th is the Feast Day of the Madonna della Stella (Our Lady of the Star), patroness of Craco (MT), Adelfia (BA), Pazzano (RC), Pedagaggi (SR), Barrafranca (EN) and Militello in Val di Catania (CT), among others. She is also celebrated on August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. In celebration, I'm posting "The Patron of Craco," a poem by Vincenzo Montemurro.* The accompanying photo of Maria SS. della Stella was taken at now-closed Saint Joseph's Church (5 Monroe Street) in Manhattan. Evviva Maria!
The Patron of Craco
Our Patroness,
so beautiful with your crown
and a mantle filled with stars
that are the most beautiful.
Oh Madonna della Stella,
you are in the chapel
where we celebrate in May
and join in a long pilgrimage,
a pilgrimage of love
which rejoices the heart.
Oh band, music and orchestra
play for our Patroness.
A choir dressed in white
sings for our most shining star,
Our Madonna della Stella,
the most beautiful one.
* "The Patron of Craco" was reprinted from Homage to the Madonna della Stella, a publication of the Colibri Association and translated by the Craco Society, 2010, p. 40
