Madonna del Soccorso di
Castelfranci, ora pro nobis
Sancta Maria, succurre miseris, iuva pusillanimes, refove flebiles, ora pro populo, interveni pro clero, intercede pro devoto femineo sexu: sentiant omnes tuum iuvamen, quicumque celebrant tuam sanctam commemorationem. Amen.
Dating back to the sixteenth century, the first Sunday in August is the Feast of the Madonna Santissima del Soccorso in Castelfranci, Avellino.
According to tradition, one summer night Our Lady appeared in the dream of a poor woman and asked her to go to the parish priest and have a chapel built in her honor. Scoffing, the priest admonished the woman and dismissed her.
That night, the Virgin appeared to the woman again and repeated her request. Undeterred, the woman returned to the priest and was again rebuked and brusquely sent away.
On the third night, the Blessed Mother told the woman she would make it snow on the spot where she wanted the chapel built. The next day, the first Sunday of August, snow fell as foretold and the perimeter of the chapel was demarcated.
The townspeople rushed to witness the miracle of the snow and all the sick and lame were cured of their ailments. Now convinced, the astonished priest began the construction of the chapel and instituted the annual memorial.
In celebration, we’re posting the Sancta Maria, succorer miseris by Bishop Fulbert of Chartres (c.952-1028), which is often associated with the August 5th Feast of the Madonna della Neve. The accompanying photo was taken at the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania. Ave Maria.
Sancta Maria, succorer miseris
Holy Mary, be a help for the defenseless, strength for the fearful, comfort for the sorrowful, pray for the people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all the holy women consecrated to God; may all who observe your sacred commemoration feel the power of your assistance. Amen.
