Memorial of Servant of God Maria Rosa Zangara

Maria Rosa Zangara, ora pro nobis

April 8th is the anniversary of the death of Servant of God, Mother Maria Rosa Zangara, virgin and Mystic of the Cross. Born to a devoutly religious family on November 8, 1844 in Partinico, Palermo, she moved at an early age to the coastal town of Balestrate with her two brothers to help the sick and impoverished. Devoting her life to God, she entered the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in 1890 and experienced many preternatural phenomena, including ecstasies and diabolic assaults. On August 13, 1892 she established the Figlie della Misericordia e della Croce (Daughters of Mercy and the Cross), an austere religious institute for women dedicated to helping the sick and abandoned children. In 1901 she was suspected of fanaticism by the Archbishop of Monreale and removed as head and founder of the congregation. Banished to a small religious house in Borgetto, she suffered from paralysis and spent the last decade of her life bedridden. A month before her death she was exculpated of any wrongdoing and restored to her rightful dignity by the Archdiocese. Maria Rosa died on April 8, 1914.

In commemoration, I’m posting a prayer in Italian and English for the glorification of the Servant of God Maria Rosa Zangàra. I acquired the prayer card (pictured above) several years ago at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (259 Oliver St.) in Newark, New Jersey.

Preghiera alla SS. Trinità per chiedere la glorificazione della Serva di Dio Madre Maria Rosa Zangàra a per ottenere grazie particolari con la sua intercessione.

O Santissima Trinità, Padre, Figlio e Spirito Santo, Ti adoro unito alla Vergine Addolorata, a tutti gli Angeli e Santi del Paradiso e Ti ringrazio dei doni e privilegi che hai concesso alla tua serva Suor Maria Rosa Zangàra, delle virtù di cui l’hai adornata in vita e del trionfo che già—come spero—le fai godere in Cielo.

Ma ora, Signore, compi la tua opera, glorificando la tua serva fedele anche su quest’ira terra. Perciò concedimi, ad intercessione della Madre Zangàra, la grazia particolare di cui ho tanto bisogno e che con umiltà Ti domando (…).

Mio Dio, io confido nella tua infinita misericordia. Per la tua maggior gloria, per la esaltazione della Santa Croce e per l’edificazione della Chiesa fammi sperimentare l’efficacia dei meriti di Maria Rosa Zangàra, esaudendo la mia preghiera. Amen.

Tre “Gloria."

Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity asking for the glorification of the Servant of God Mother Maria Rosa Zangàra and to obtain special graces through her intercession. 

O Most Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—I adore You, united with the Sorrowful Virgin and all the Angels and Saints of Paradise, and I thank You for the gifts and privileges You bestowed upon Your servant Sister Maria Rosa Zangàra, for the virtues with which You adorned her during her life, and for the triumph that—as I hope—she already enjoys in Heaven.

But now, Lord, complete Your work by glorifying Your faithful servant here on earth as well. Therefore, grant me, through the intercession of Mother Zangàra, the special grace I so greatly need and for which I humbly ask You (…).

My God, I trust in Your infinite mercy. For Your greater glory, for the exaltation of the Holy Cross, and for the edification of the Church, let me experience the efficacy of the merits of Maria Rosa Zangàra by granting my prayer. Amen.

Three “Glory Be” prayers.