Hey there,
One way we record history is by marking the places where memorable events happened. Drive the highways of the United States and you’ll see those roadside markers … birthplaces, homesteads, battlegrounds, sites where something extraordinary once took place.
The National Register of Historic Places lists more than 90,000 properties recognized for their importance to American history, architecture, art, archaeology, engineering, and culture. A separate historical-marker site catalogs over 140,000 such spots.
In the Catholic Church we honor sacred places too … churches, cathedrals, basilicas, and shrines dot the map. This week I want to spotlight one of those shrines: the Holy House of Loreto in Loreto, Italy. The house is encased within the gorgeous Basilica della Santa Casa, and the town itself grew up around it.
What makes the Holy House so revered is the belief that it is the very home where Mary lived and where the Angel Gabriel appeared to her. In 2019, Pope Francis added a feast to the universal calendar in honor of the Holy House … the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto … which we celebrate today.
This issue of Genuflect explores that new memorial: the Pope’s decree, the astonishing story of how Mary’s home came to be in Italy (and why it isn’t in Nazareth), the Litany of Loreto, and a look at what Mary’s daily life and meeting with Joseph may have been like. If you’re puzzled about the house’s journey from Nazareth to Loreto, don’t worry … the answer is below, and it’s a story worthy of a place marked for the miraculous.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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Celebration Decree
On October 7, 2019 Pope Francis officially decreed that December 10th would be added to the Liturgical Calendar of the Catholic Church as the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto. Here’s the decree that explains the relevance of this Holy House.
Pope Adds Feast of Our Lady of Loreto to Roman Calendar | Vatican News
The Story of The House
The Holy House is known as the place where Mary was born and where the Angel Gabriel appeared to her. So how in the world did it end up in Italy? And how do we know it’s actually the house? It’s a fascinating story that you don’t want to miss.
The Feast of Our Lady of Loreto And The Holy House | AnaStpaul
Angels Airlift The House
It’s said that angels airlifted the Holy House from Nazareth to its final resting place in Loreto, Italy. That sounds improbable, but would you believe me if I said there’s evidence that it likely was delivered by angels? Courtney Mares presents a convincing case.
Did Angels Really Carry The Holy House of Mary to Loreto, Italy? | Catholic News Agency
6 Loreto Facts
This is only the sixth year the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto will be celebrated in the Universal Church. So if you’re still not altogether familiar with it, here are 6 things you need to know.
Make Sure You Know These 6 Facts About The Newest Marian Feast Day | Epic Pew
Holy House Video Tour
Amazing! Tour the miraculous Holy House and its surrounding basilica in Loreto, Italy by way of this video.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Italy | YouTube
Celebrate Our Lady of Loreto
The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto is on December 10th. What better way to celebrate than to pray this Litany of Loreto.
Celebrate Our Lady of Loreto | University of Notre Dame
Litany Titles Explained
The beautiful Litany of Loreto is filled with various titles for the Blessed Virgin Mary, but some of them are a little obscure. Fortunately, Saint John Henry Newman wrote his meditations on the meanings of the titles. So now you’ll know.
St. John Henry Newman’s Meditations on The Litany of Loreto | The Catholic World Report
Mary’s Life
It’s hard for us to imagine what it was like for Mary living in the small Holy House and living in Nazareth 2000+ years ago. What did she look like? What did she eat? What was the village like? Here’s a fascinating look at what her world most likely looked like.
Mary of Nazareth, Jesus’ Mother. What Was Her World Like? | Women in the Bible
Mary And Joseph
When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and she gave her famous fiat, she was betrothed to Joseph. Here’s the story of how Mary and Joseph met, as passed down through oral history and recorded in an early non-canonical gospel.
How Did Joseph And Mary Meet Before Getting Married? | Aleteia
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Pray The Novena to Our Lady of Loreto
The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto is today, December 10th. It’s not too late to pray The Novena to Our Lady of Loreto, especially if you are looking for a new home. You’ll find the instructions for the Novena to Our Lady of Loreto here.
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