Our Lady of Loreto

This Saturday, 10th December, is the recently instituted (optional) Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto. Since the Middle Ages veneration for the Holy House of Loreto has been the origin of that particular shrine, which is still visited today by many, many faithful pilgrims in order to nourish their faith in the Word of God made flesh for us. In the Holy House, before the image of the Mother of the Redeemer and of the Church, Saints and Blesseds have responded to their vocation, the sick have invoked consolation in suffering, the people of God have begun to praise and plead with Mary using the Litany of Loreto, which is known throughout the world. In a particular way all those who travel via aircraft have found in her their heavenly patron. This feastday helps all people, especially families, youth and religious to imitate the virtues of that perfect disciple of the Gospel, the Virgin Mother, who, in conceiving the Head of the Church also accepted us as her own.

Saturday therefore would be a good day to pray the Litany of Loreto.