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| Madonna del Lauro, ora pro nobis |
September 12th is the Feast of the Madonna del Lauro, Patroness of mariners and Meta, a small town in Provincia di Napoli.
According to popular tradition, during the eighth century a deaf mute named Teresita was grazing her cow in the fields when a strong light drew her to the ruins of a pagan temple. Beneath a laurel tree the old woman discovered a statue of the Blessed Mother and miraculously gained the ability to hear and speak.
When the townspeople learned of the news, they decided to retrieve the statue and house it inside the Cathedral of Sorrento. However, the next day the statue disappeared and returned to its original location. After two more unsuccessful attempts, it became clear Our Lady didn't want the statue to be moved, so they built a church on top of the temple ruins.
In celebration, we're posting a Prayer to the Holy Name of Mary by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. The accompanying photos of the Madonna del Lauro were taken at Sacred Hearts—St. Stephen Church (125 Summit St.) in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Evviva Madonna del Lauro!
Prayer to the Holy Name of Mary
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that Thy Faithful, calling upon the Name of the Virgin Mary and rejoicing in her protection, may, by her motherly intercession, be delivered from the evils of the earth and advance to the eternal happiness of heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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| Relief panel on base depicting the discovery of the statue |