Feast of Saint Mary in Portico and Perpetual Prayers for the Total Conversion of England
Text from a small prayer book in my possession
FIRST PART
HISTORICAL NOTES
Imprimi potest
Father JOSEPH FORCELLATI, Rector
General
Rome
17 July 1944
IN the year 524 AD, while the
noble Patrician Saint Galla was distributing the usual meal to the twelve poor
people who daily met under the portico of her palace, a marvellous image of the
Blessed Virgin appeared to her.
The place of the Apparition gave
the image her title of
SAINT MARY IN PORTICO
The numerous miracles and the
countless extraordinary graces bestowed by the Blessed Mother, Saint Mary in
Portico, at the time of the Apparition, and so on, for fourteen centuries, have
merited for Her the truly Eminent Title of
MARY, HARBOUR OF ROMAN SECURITY
Great, is therefore, the
confidence which the Roman people have in Mary, their HARBOUR OF SAFETY, when
afflicted by private or public calamities.
The cult and the glory of Saint
Mary in Portico is not limited in Rome only; the echoes of Rome blend with
those of Her other sanctuaries at Naples and Onoz in France and also at the
Royal Chapel of Madrid. These mystical
notes draw from the pitiful Heart of Mary graces and comfort for poor,
imploring humanity.
In 1706, the Reverend Father André Arsène Marie Odoardy commissioned a copy of the holy image of the Virgin of Campitelli on a cypress wood panel and observed that the image worked miracles.
Returning to Rome
The Campitelli Church's Shrine,
as it will be explained below has a providential connection with England.
In the year 1747, His Royal
Highness, Henry Stuart, Duke of York was created Cardinal by Pope Benedict XIV.
Soon after his enthronement, Cardinal Henry came to Rome and the Diaconal Title
of Saint Mary in Portico was assigned him, which by Pontifical privilege, he
continued to retain even, when the following year, said Diaconal Title, was
raised to a Presbyterial Title.
The devotion of Cardinal Henry to
Saint Mary in Portico, was indeed exceptional: Not only did he enact that Her feast be
celebrated with the sumptuousness of Sacred Music, the richness of Sacred
Vestments and Altar Ornaments and with the splendour of Church liturgy but he “endowed
the Shrine with a perpetual legacy for the celebration of a Mass on every
Saturday, at 11.00 am, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the
offering of prayers for the return of the separated brethren of England to the
Catholic Church, the true Flock”.
Since its very Institution, this holy
practice has gone on without interruption and no event, either political or of
any other nature, has ever checked its regular course. The postponing of the post-Mass
devotions, to an evening hour, has been done solely that a larger gathering of
faithful might attend them.
The following chronology will
better illustrate to the Catholics of England, the excellence of this pious practice.
From the 9th to the 11th day of
December of 1868, a Solemn Triduum was held at the Church of Saint Mary in
Portico. It was presided over by the Sovereign
Pontiff Leo XIII, who composed a touching prayer to the Blessed Mother in
Portico, attaching to it a Plenary indulgence and it was attended by three eminent
Cardinals, many Bishops and a great number of English priests. The English colony at Rome, was also present.
The Students of the English,
Scotch and Irish Colleges attended also and such a large body of young men
rendered the Religious Service more imposing.
An example of true Christian
piety was given by the English colony who followed every single ceremony of the
Triduum by means of a little ceremonial book which the Reverend Father Louis
Pasquali, Religious of the Order of the Mother of God, and Pastor of
Campitelli's Church, had translated into English.
(Father Pasquali (1846 – 1905)
was a Cleric Regular of the Mother
of God. In Rome, studying first at the gymnasium
of Santa Maria della Pace and later at the schools of the Collegio Romano, he
soon became part of a circle of Roman literary figures and enthusiasts,
including the poet Pietro Durantini. After
briefly considering a military career, in 1864 he entered the spiritual retreat
house at Ponterotto, spending the following years discerning his vocation. He was subsequently admitted to the Order of
the Clerics of the Mother of God; he took his solemn vows on 21 January 1870
and celebrated his first Mass at Saint Mary in Portico on Easter Sunday of that
same year. Having received the title of "Apostolic Missionary" from
the Holy See, he began his work as a preacher, traveling to numerous Italian
cities. A member of various cultural
academies, he engaged in public theological debates. In 1868, he conceived the idea of founding a congregation for
Roman youth under the patronage of the Sacred Heart and in 1879, the
Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for Roman Youth was canonically
established.)
The body of Saint John Leonardi,
Founder of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God, preserved in the Church of
Saint Mary in Campitelli
****
Other instances of genuine faith
were given by the aforesaid English colony due to their participation in two
other pilgrimages, as described below.
AIDAN GASQUET, born in London in
the year 1846, became a Benedictine Monk in his very early youth.
Many years later, the fame of his
saintly life, adorned with manifold virtues, did not escape the penetrating
discernment of Pope Saint Pius X and the Benedictine Monk was created Cardinal
with the Titular Church of Saint Mary in Portico, where the Shrine of the
glorious Lady in Portico is enthroned.
When, on the 1 December 1924, Cardinal
Gasquet was raised to the dignity of the Order of the Priests, the English
Colony exhibited their deep devotion to the Mother of God and their reverential
respect to the Prince of the Holy Catholic Church by making a pilgrimage to the
Shrine of Saint Mary in Portico.
The second pilgrimage, this time
under the guidance of Cardinal Gasquet, was made by the English colony, in May
1925 for the gaining of the Indulgences attached to the Jubilee and to partake
at the sacred functions, held on the occasion of the 14th Centennial of our
Blessed Mother's Apparition to Saint Galla.
Shall then almost two centuries
(1747-1944) of devout prayers and vows to our Blessed Lady in Portico for
England fall into oblivion and nothingness?
It cannot be.
In fact, many are the conversions
in this noble country; but the advent of the glorious day, in which all the English
people will return to the Celestial Father's House, is looked forward with
eager expectancy.
May it dawn as a LUMINOUS BEARER
of that solid, genuine peace, which reigns supreme in the Roman Catholic
Church, the unwavering Fold, of which Christ Jesus is the Supreme, Invisible
Head and the Roman Pontiff, the Vicar of Christ, the Visible Head.
Then, in joint choruses and in harmonious
unison, we shall address the Virgin Mother of God the
TRUE HARBOUR OF ROMAN SECURITY
SECOND PART
PRAYER TO SAINT MARY IN PORTICO
THAT IS SAID EVERY SATURDAY FOR THE CONVERSION OF ENGLAND
Holy Virgin Mary, thou who hast
for so many centuries revealed to our souls the sweet attraction of Divine
Maternity, give ear to the prayer that with all our hearts we offer on behalf
of our brethren of England who live outside our unity of Faith. Though they have rent the seamless vest of
Christ, they are nevertheless children of God, redeemed by the blood of our
Divine Saviour and thus have never ceased to be Thy children. Dispel from their minds the clouds of error
and revive in their hearts the flame of divine charity, so that they may feel
drawn back to our Father's house, where thou, Haven of Roman security, wilt
graciously gather them unto thee in peace of conscience and splendour of Grace.
Let them be drawn again within the one
true fold, under one Shepherd.
***
Ave Maria (3 times).
Romanae Portus Securitatis Ora pro nobis.
LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Antiphon
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei
Genetrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis
cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta.
Amen
We fly to thy patronage, O holy
Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us
always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin
Amen.
***
Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, have mercy on us
Lord, have mercy on us
Christ, hear us
Christ, graciously hear us
The response is Have mercy
on us
God the Father of heaven
God the Son, Redeemer of the
World
God the Holy Ghost
Holy Trinity, One God,
The response is Pray for us
Holy Mary
Holy Mother of God
Holy Virgin of Virgins
Mother of Divine Grace
Mother of Christ
Mother most pure
Mother most chaste
Mother inviolate
Mother undefiled
Mother most amiable
Mother admirable
Mother of good Counsel
Mother of our Creator
Mother of our Saviour
Virgin most prudent
Virgin most venerable
Virgin most renowned
Virgin most powerful
Virgin most merciful
Virgin most faithful
Mirror of justice
Seat of wisdom
Cause of our joy
Spiritual vessel
Vessel of honour
Singular vessel of devotion
Mystical rose
Tower of David
Tower of ivory
House of gold
Ark of the Covenant
Gate of Heaven
Morning star
Health of the sick
Refuge of sinners
Comforter of the afflicted
Help of Christians
Queen of Angels
Queen of Patriarchs
Queen of Prophets
Queen of Apostles
Queen of Martyrs
Queen of Confessors
Queen of Virgins
Queen of All Saints
Queen conceived without original
sin,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary,
Queen of peace
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins
of the world
Spare us, o Lord
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins
of the world
Graciously hear us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins
of the world
Have mercy on us
Versicle O Holy Virgin,
make me worthy of praising Thee.
Response Give me strength
against thy enemies.
PRAYER
O Lord, protect Thy servants by
help of peace and preserve from all enemies and perils those who trust the
Virgin Mary. Through Christ our Lord.
Response Amen
Here is sung Psalm 120
Levavi oculos. God is the
keeper of his servants. A gradual canticle.
1 I have lifted up my
eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me.
Canticum graduum. Levavi
oculos meos in montes, unde veniet auxilium mihi.
2 My help is from the
Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Auxilium meum a Domino, qui fecit caelum et terram.
3 May he not suffer
thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.
Non det in commotionem pedem tuum, neque dormitet qui custodit te.
4 Behold he shall
neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.
Ecce non dormitabit neque dormiet qui custodit Israel.
5 The Lord is thy
keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.
Dominus custodit te,
Dominus protectio tua super manum dexteram tuam.
6 The sun shall not
burn thee by day: nor the moon by night.
Per diem sol non uret te, neque luna per noctem.
7 The Lord keepeth
thee from all evil: may the Lord keep thy soul.
Dominus custodit te ab omni malo; custodiat animam tuam Dominus.
8 May the Lord keep
thy coming in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever.
Dominus custodiat introitum tuum
et exitum tuum, ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
Versicle Save thy
servants.
Response Whose hope is in Thee,
o my God.
PRAYERS
Give Thy servants, O Lord, your
celestial help, so that they may seek Thee with all their hearts and deserve to
obtain that for which they beseech thee.
We implore thee, O Lord to
release the souls of thy servants and of all the Faithful Departed, from all
ties of crime so that in the Glory of Resurrection they may, born to a new
life, rejoice with the Blessed and the Saints.
Almighty and Eternal God, Thou who wills that none perish,
watch over the souls that are misguided through diabolical falsehood, so that,
having abandoned all heretical wickedness, the hearts of those who strayed may
become wise again and come back to the unity of Truth.
Grant thy Faithful, we beseech
thee, O Lord, constancy and sincerity in thy Faith, so that, strengthened in Divine
charity, they may not be weakened in their integrity.
O God, from whom all holy
desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy
servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be
set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the
fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits
of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
That the time may be ripe for Thy
protection.
Response Amen.
Postea sacerdos
cantat
Tantum ergo Sacramentum.
Veneremur cernui
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui
Præstet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque
Laus and jubilation
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit and benedictio
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.
Versicle Panem de coelo praestitisti eis.
Response Omne delectamentum in se habentem.
Oremus. Deus, qui nobis sub Sacramento mirabili Passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti; tribue, quaesumus, ita nos Corporis et Sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
Amen.
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail
Faith for all defects supplying
Where the feeble senses fail.
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally
Be salvation, honour, blessing
Might, and endless majesty!
Versicle Thou didst give them bread from heaven
Response Containing in itself all sweetness.
Let us pray. O God, who under a
wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion; grant us, we
beseech Thee, so to reverence the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that
we may ever feel within ourselves the fruit of Thy Redemption: Who livest and
reignest for ever and ever.
Amen.
Postscript on Our Lady of Onoz
The Canton of Orgelet has another, even more famous pilgrimage: Our Lady of Onoz, whose image, venerated in a niche at the entrance to the chapel, to the right of the church, had long been considered miraculous and attracted about six thousand people to Onoz every year on September 8th. This painting was a copy of an image of the Mother of God, painted in gold on sapphire, which could be seen in Rome in the Church of Saint Mary in Campitelli, others say in Portico, and about which marvelous things were told. It was said that in 624 two seraphim had brought it to Galla, a Roman lady, daughter of the patrician Symmachus; that Pope John I, informed of the event, had immediately come to Galla and received the painting from the hands of angels and that at that very moment the plague that was depopulating Italy had ceased its ravages; Galla converted her house into a magnificent church to venerate the miraculous image; in the eleventh century, this Church, enriched with privileges and indulgences, having fallen into ruin, Gregory VII rebuilt and reconsecrated it; under Popes Saint Gregory, Callixtus III, and Adrian VI, simply carrying the holy image in procession was enough to make the plague that ravaged Italy disappear; and many other miracles obtained at its feet were cited. In 1705, filled with devotion to an image about which so many wonders were recounted, Father Odoardy, a monk of the strict observance of the Congregation of Mont-Luc and the Institution of Saint Isaac of Syria, succeeded, after much difficulty, in having a copy made on a cypress tablet ten inches high and seven inches wide.
Father Odoardi having entrusted the safekeeping of this precious painting to a friend who was a canon for the duration of the journey he had to make in the interest of his order, the Virgin rewarded the trust of the crowd who came to the canon's home with so many miracles to pray at its feet, that a church be built for it and that it be kept forever. It finally had to be returned and sent to Vienna in Austria, where Father Odoardi was. Equipped with his precious treasure, he set out on the Danube. Going upriver, he noticed that a boat not far from his own was entering a chasm and was about to perish; he fell to his knees, prayed before his image, and the boat escaped danger. Arriving on land, he got into a carriage, the horses were terrified and bolted; he fell, and the wheels were about to crush him, when he prayed to the Virgin Mary; immediately two strangers were there who pulled him aside, and he was saved. In 1725, thieves, having broken down Father Odoardi's doors while he was attending the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, opened the box where the holy image was kept. At that moment, the Virgin appeared to them surrounded by splendors that terrified them and put them to flight. All these events increasingly attached Father Odoardi to his image; and after having long carried it with him on the journeys he made to extend his order, he came to settle in Onoz, where he knew that the cult of the Blessed Virgin was held in great honor. There, he lived as a pious hermit, performing his spiritual exercises before the holy image. After a few years, he died, and his image passed into the hands of the parish priest of Onoz, who displayed it in his church for the veneration of the faithful. Two men paralyzed in all their limbs were carried to its feet, and they were healed instantly. Several infirm people brought on stretchers recovered their health there. Others came to ask for the cessation of an epidemic that was killing all the livestock in the countryside, and their prayers were answered.
Hymn to Saint Mary in Portico
A walking tour of the Church
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