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| 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.
