My dear friend Terry over at Abbey–Roads wrote two posts today that warmed my heart. The first was about the importance of making a thanksgiving after Holy Communion. Do read it. Wonderful. The second was about today's feast of The Holy House of Loreto. In tribute to Terry's love for the Holy House I decided to post Caravaggio's Madonna of Loreto, an extraordinarily moving painting. Just look at it! (Click to enlarge it.)
I have visited Loreto twice in my life; once in 1975, and again last year. I too believe in the grace and mystery of the Holy House miraculously transported by angels to the place prepared for it by God. One of the most striking things about Loreto is the number of saints who have gone there in humble pilgrimage, desiring to adore the mystery of the Word Incarnate and to linger in the sweet presence of His Virgin Mother.
I cannot resist sharing the texts of the Proper Mass of The Holy House of Loreto, one of those lovely Masses celebrated by special grant in certain places.
Introit
This is a fearsome place:
it is the house of God, the gate of heaven;
it shall be named the palace of God (Gen 28:17).
V. O Lord of hosts, how I love thy dwelling–place!
For the courts of the Lord's house, my souls faints with longing (Ps 83:2–3).
Collect
O God, who in thy mercy didst sanctify the Blessed Virgin Mary's house
by the mystery of the Word made flesh,
and didst miraculously place it in the heart of thy Church,
grant that we may shun the abodes of sinners
and become worthy to dwell in thy own holy house.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord
who is God living and reigning with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Gradual
One request I have ever made of the Lord,
let me claim it still,
to dwell in the Lord's house my whole life long.
V. Gazing at the beauty of the Lord,
haunting his sanctuary (Ps 26:4).
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia.
How blessed, Lord, are those who dwell in thy house!
They will be ever praising thee (Ps 83:5).
Alleluia.
Offertory
I will betake myself to thy house,
and bow down before thy sanctuary,
and praise thy name (Ps 5:8).
Secret
Lord, we pray thee, graciously accept the gifts we offer
in this holy house;
and grant that, with the merits of the Blessed Virgin pleading for us,
these same gifts may prove a help to our salvation.
Through Christ our Lord.
Communion
Blessed is he who hears my voice,
who watches daily before my gates,
and waits at the threshold of my doors.
He who shall find me, shall find life,
and draw from the Lord salvation (Prov 8:34–35).
Postcommunion
We beseech thee, Lord our God,
that the sacred rites thou hast bestowed upon us
to safeguard this new life of ours may,
through the intercession of Blessed Mary, the ever–virgin,
bring us healing now and in time to come.
Through Christ our Lord.
His Excellency, Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma has given
Father Mark a special mandate to live under the Rule of Saint Benedict in adoration before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, offering thanksgiving, intercession, and reparation for all his
brothers in Holy Orders. In this way, Father is preparing the foundation of the new Diocesan Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle. Father Mark is available to the
priests and deacons of the Diocese for spiritual and sacramental support in their pursuit of holiness. He is also charged with the spiritual formation of women who desire to dedicate themselves to spiritual motherhood in favour of priests.
Site about the city of Electrostal. It is a lot of helpful information.
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