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Beata Maria Cristina, ora pro nobis
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January 31st is the Feast of Blessed Maria Cristina di Savoia, Queen of the Two Sicilies. Daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele I and Maria Theresa of Austria-Este, she married King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies in 1832. Immensely pious, “la Reginella Santa di Napoli” as she was popularly called, performed numerous acts of charity and important social works for the poor people of Naples. On January 31, 1836, at the age of 23, she died shortly after giving birth to her son SG Francesco II, the last King of the Two Sicilies. Queen Maria Cristina was Beatified on January 25, 2014 at the Basilica Santa Chiara in Naples, where she is interred. In celebration, we're posting a prayer to Blessed Maria Cristina di Savoia. Viva 'a Reggina!
Prayer to Blessed Maria Cristina di Savoia, Queen of the Two Sicilies
O God, who has placed a great light in Your saints and a provident support for Your people along the path, listen with goodness to our prayer, and glorify Your Servant Blessed Maria Cristina di Savoia, in whose life as a wife and queen You have offered us a shining model of wise and courageous charity, and grant us, through her intercession, the grace [mention here the graces you are asking for] which from You, with trust, we invoke. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
