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When we think of a church, the first image that is formed in our mind is probably that of a known religious building, with a bell tower, the Cathedral of our city, or perhaps a place of worship that is particularly dear to us for…
In ancient times, the relationship between man and nature was much closer than itis today. Everyday life was inextricably linked to the alternation of the seasons, atmospheric precipitations, excessive heat, or excessive cold. Our ancestors certainly did not live an easy existence, victims of a…
Mercy This is a word that often comes up when we talk about Our Lord.
The term derives from the Latin misereor (I have mercy) and cor -cordis (heart), but conceptually it has always existed, in the context of the Christian religion. We could define it as a kind of profound empathy, a movement of compassion inspired by the suffering of others. It is a feeling that moves the heart to pity when confronted by the physical or spiritual pain of another person, which pushes us to open up, to cloak, with a transcendent and beneficial embrace, those who are near to us, to help them, and to save them.
Mercy is a fundamental component in the life of a Christian. It is no coincidence that many of the religious and secular brotherhoods, have always engaged in the works of charity and in helping the needy, have names that derive from Mercy, or contain it. One thinks of the Venerable Arciconfraternita della Misericordia, founded in Florence in the thirteenth century to help plague victims, the Priests of Mercy, the Sisters of Mercy, the Daughters of Mercy, and so on.
The Catholic religion holds this sentiment in high esteem, as the true impulse of the Christian, an internal impulse that manifests itself in generous actions, good works, charitable and human attitudes towards the less fortunate and, in general, towards all brothers.
The Madonna is often invoked as Madonna della Mercede (of Mercy), depicted as she opens her own large cloak to welcome the faithful around her, offering them its shelter and protection.
In the Old Testament, it is written that God is merciful. In the Book of Exodus, for example, he addresses Moses thus: “The Lord, God merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love and fidelity” (34.6).
A merciful Father, therefore, who loves his children with tenderness, who protects them, helps them, is ready to give himself entirely for their welfare, and their salvation. A Love that does not need to be returned to be love, like that of a mother, without any limits, almost thoughtless. A special love addressed to all of us, in the name of which God became human and sacrificed himself, accepting a cruel and unjust death, enduring the greatest of evils, to give us hope.
The Misericordia takes on a further specific meaning if associated with a particular context, at a particular moment in the life of Jesus: we speak of the Hour of Mercy.
“Whenever you hear the clock striking three o’clock, remember to immerse yourself in My Mercy, to adore and exalt it; invoking his omnipotence for the entire world and particularly for the
poor sinners, since it was at that hour that he threw himself open for every soul (1572)”
These words were written in the diary of Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska, a young Polish nun, a propagator of devotions to the merciful Jesus and considered to be the Apostle of Divine Mercy.
The Hour of Mercy corresponds to three o’clock in the afternoon, the exact time Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday. The climax of His agony, the moment of His death.
Sister Maria Faustina contributed enormously towards disseminating the cult of Divine Mercy. Her intense mystic life, the numerous visits she received from Christ, led to codification of this particular form of devotion and to the representations of the Merciful Jesus, who is portrayed dressed in a white robe, with one hand raised in a blessing, the other placed on his chest, from which two huge rays depart, one red and the other white.
Good Friday. At three o’clock I saw Jesus Crucified looking at me and saying, “I am thirsty.” Suddenly, I saw that the same two rays in the picture came out of His side. At the same time I felt in my soul a great desire to save souls and to destroy myself for poor sinners. Along with Jesus in agony, I offered myself to the Eternal Father for the salvation of the world. With Jesus, for Jesus and in Jesus, I am united with You, Eternal Father“(Diary of Santa Faustina, #648).
An invitation to prayer, therefore, but also an invitation to Mercy, to sacrifice for the weakest and most unfortunate of our brothers. The vision of Jesus aroused in the Holy the uncontrollable desire to imitate him, to sacrifice themselves like him for the salvation of sinners, and of all the souls of the world. Because in the moment of the greatest sorrow He was capable of the most immense love, a love that brought us closer to God and makes us part of His Mystery.
It was Jesus who asked the Saint to paint an image that would show the way, so that it could be understood by everyone and venerated. Jesus also told her that he wanted the first Sunday after Easter to become the feast of Mercy.
Pope St. John Paul II, who beatified Sr. Maria Faustina, confirmed the feast of Mercy on that day.
In another revelation, Jesus taught Sister Maria Faustina a special prayer: the Chaplet of Divine Mercy . Jesus accompanied this gift with the words: “My mercy will envelop in life, and at the hour of death, those souls who recite this chaplet.”
In fact, the Chaplet of Mercy ensures the grace of conversion and the forgiveness of all sins, especially if recited at the point of death.
In particular, the Chaplet manifests all its effectiveness if recited in conjunction with the Hour of Mercy. Reciting it at three o’clock in the afternoon, the time Jesus’ death is honoured, one meditates on his agony, and on his immense sacrifice. From this meditation and the prayer that accompanies it, the spirit should feel in some way infected by the Mercy of God, which thanks to the faith and the devotion of those who pray, extends to the entire world, even to the most undeserving, in an outpouring of love and pity.
“Whenever you hear the clock striking three o’clock, remember to immerse yourself in My Mercy, to adore and exalt it; invoking His omnipotence for the entire world and for poor sinners in particular, since it was at that hour that he threw himself open, for all souls (1572).” In that hour, you will receive everything, for yourself and for others. At that hour grace was granted to the whole world – Mercy was victorious for justice“(Diary of Santa Faustina, 1572).
[…] At that time, try to do the Via Crucis if your commitments allow it, and if you cannot do the Via Crucis, enter the chapel at least for a time and honour my heart, that in the SS. Sacramento, is full of mercy. And if you cannot go to the chapel, gather in prayer at least for a brief time where you are […] In that hour, you will get everything for yourself and for others (Diary of Santa Faustina, 1572). In that hour, I will not refuse anything to the soul that prays for My Passion“(Diary of Santa Faustina, 1320).
Therefore, the practice of the Hour of Mercy is training for the soul, as well as a way to protect and guarantee salvation to all. It is enough to dedicate a brief moment of prayer to God, at three o’clock in the afternoon, to gather for a in a private and special conversation with Him, to feel part of His plan of love, and to remember how precious and unique it is.
The term liturgical clothes, or liturgical vestments, generally indicates the clothing used by priests of various ranks in the context of religious ceremonies and festivals. These clothes differ in various characteristics and, in particular, vary in colour, depending on the time of year and the…
By the Apparitions of Guadalupe, we refer to the four appearances of Our Lady to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, an Aztec convert to Christianity. These apparitions took place within a few days of each other in December 1531, on Tepeyac hill, near Mexico City. The definition…
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His figure is in fact the object of worship and veneration also by other professions of faith, such as Judaism and Islam. Indeed, he is recognised by all of them as the Archangel par excellence, before this term was used for Gabriel and Raphael. His name means “Who is like God?”, His symbols have always been the sword, or the spear and the armour. Michael is a celestial warrior, indeed, the warrior, commander of the angelic hosts, the one who led the armies of Paradise against Lucifer and his rebels, driving them over the clouds and making them fall to Hell.
For the Muslims, he was the angel who, together with Gabriel, instructed Muhammad with the Koran, an austere and shady angel who never laughed. Some traditions, especially Eastern ones, represent it with a balance in hand, intent on weighing and judging the souls of the dead.
St. Michael the Archangel is an emblematic figure, which crosses the history of Europe, not only the religious, object of veneration by the Byzantines and the Lombards, compared by the latter to the God Odin, which traced the warlike virtues and the war dimension , and elsewhere in Hercules, Mitra, Hermes. His cult has spread to the East and West, leading to the construction of places of veneration placed along a straight line, the so-called Sacred Line, which connects Ireland with Israel, passing through England, France, Italy, Greece.
Patron of many cities and towns, Protector of the Jewish people, Guardian of the Catholic Church, Protector of the Sick and Paramedics; of the Police Forces, from the Police to the Sailors, from the Paratroopers to the Firemen; Radiologists and Grocers and all those who use scales, such as pharmacists, pastry chefs, merchants; of swordsmen, masters of arms; of the gilders; of the manufacturers of tubs,
It is definitely worth knowing it better.
Saint Michael the Archangel in the Bible is mentioned five times, and always as the supreme head of the heavenly army.
Once upon a time he and Lucifer guided the divine militias together, as the most shining among the angels, the strongest, the bravest, the closest to God.
Revelation 12.7-8: 7 Then a war broke out in the sky: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon fought together with his angels, 8 but they did not prevail and there was no more room for them in heaven.
After the treason of Lucifer, after his rebellion, the perfection represented by these two angels was broken, and became bitter enemies. Michael made the war against his old brother the reason for his very existence, driving him from heaven, persecuting him through the millennia, defending humanity from its snares and its temptations. Since then the Archangel Michael has become the punisher of all those who rise up against God, the proud, the defenders of the Faith, of Truth, of the Church itself.
As we’ve already written, its name derives from the Hebrew Mi-ka-El which means “who is like God?”
“Archangel” derives from the Greek and is a word composed of àrchein, “comandare” and ànghelos, “messenger”). So the Archangels, and Michael in particular, are those who command the other angels.
Often the cult of St. Michael is intertwined with that of the Virgin Mary. Both fight against the devil, both are represented as they crush it under their feet, in the form of a snake or a dragon. Both, above all, are protectors of humanity, against its flattery, and guardians of God’s flock against Evil. According to an ancient tradition, St. Michael the Archangel will be the one who will play the trumpet of the Judgment announcing the end of the world.
St. Michael the Archangel is celebrated together with the other two Archangels, Gabriele and Raffaele, on 29 September.
Archangels: who are they and what is their function?
The Catholic Church recognises the existence of only three Archangels, or the three mentioned in the Scriptures: Michael
We have already mentioned how the cult of St. Michael the Archangel spread from East to West, and how its spread in the West was due in large part to the Lombards, who adopted it the sixth century, on the occasion of their travels to Italy, as a great devotion and erected many religious buildings in his name, including the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo on Monte Gargano, in Puglia.
Here, where today stands the village of Monte Sant’Angelo, with its splendid sanctuary dedicated to San Michele, it is said that the Archangel appeared to the young archer Galgano, while he was chasing a marvellous white bull. Through the intercession of the Archangel the arrows thrown against the bull came back and struck his hunter, who converted to Christianity.
It was Pope Gregory the Great who brought the Lombards to conversion, above all thanks to Queen Teodolinda. Saint Michael immediately liked these ferocious warriors from the north, because he embodied Odin’s talents, and chose him as protector. Thanks to the Lombards the cult of San Michele spread throughout northern Italy.
Even today there are testimonies of this diffusion in Pavia, former capital of the Lombard kingdom, and in the Val di Susa, in Piedmont, where the Sacra di San Michele still stands, a monastery perched on the peak of Mount Pirchiriano, which was for centuries used by pilgrims between Italy and France. This superb architectural complex was inspired by Umberto Eco for his novel ‘Il Nome della Rosa’.
We have also spoken about the sacred line that connects all the most important places of worship dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, otherwise known as the Ley Line of St. Michael:
Besides being along the same, imaginary straight line, three of these important places are also equidistant from each other: these are Mont Saint Michel in France, the Sacra di San Michele in Val di Susa and the sanctuary of Monte Sant Angelo on the Gargano.
“Ley Lines” are straight lines that join places on the Earth that have always been considered special, perhaps energy nodes of the planet, whose meaning is impossible to trace. The Ley Line of St. Michael, or Ley Line of the Dragon, is, among other things, perfectly aligned with the setting of the Sun on the day of the Summer Solstice. It is therefore no secret that, since ancient times, the cult of Archangel St. Michael has been studied from many perspectives, following suggestions that often transcend religion and the spiritual value of places of devotion.
We have already mentioned that sometimes the cult of St. Michael the Archangel is associated with that of the Virgin Mary. Both are emblems of the fight against evil, both are guardians and protectors of humanity, both fight the Devil, crushing him under their feet, driving him to hell.
Prayers which are addressed to St. Michael the Archangel are above all requests for help, protection.
The Prince of the Celestial Militia relies on it in the everyday troubles, but also in view of the Last Judgment. It is invoked as a guide, as a protector, as a shield against evil and support. Never as in the prayers addressed to other Saints it is clear that the invocations to St. Michael the Archangel are real weapons of faith, to be challenged in daily battles. And how could it be otherwise, given the iconography that characterizes this beautiful and implacable Archangel? Since the origins of his cult, therefore, invocations, consecration, angelic crowns were dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel.
One prayer in particular deserves further study. It was written in October 1884 by Pope Leo XIII, following a frightful vision in which the Devil threatened to destroy the Church and Saint Michael stood in his defence. Leo XIII made it law that this prayer be recited at the end of each mass, and inserted it among the most powerful exorcisms, in Exorcismus in Satanam et Angelos Apostaticos. This exorcism hides a prophecy that touches us closely, given that the exorcism dates back to the nineteenth century, and speaks of events that would take place in the immediate future.
According to the prophecy, Lucifer and his allies will take control of the Papacy, but nevertheless they will not succeed in destroying the Church. Exorcism can only be recited by an authorized priest, but the prayer written by Leo XIII can be recited by the faithful, and although it is not as efficacious as exorcism in the case of overt possession, it can prevent possession from taking place, protecting those who have been targeted by the evil one.
We report only the abbreviated version reported by the Roman Ritual and published in 1902:
Glorious Prince of the Celestial Militia, Archangel Saint Michael,
Defend us in this ardent battle against all the powers of darkness and their spiritual malice.
Come to the aid of men, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.
You are revered by the Holy Church as her guardian and patron, and to you, the Lord has entrusted the souls who will one day occupy the heavenly seats. “Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, conquered so resoundingly that he will no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church.
Present our prayers to the Most High, with your own, so that His Divine Mercies will descend upon us soon, and you can chain the dragon, the ancient serpent Satan, and throw him into the abyss. Only in this way will he seduce souls no longer.
Since the prophecy and exorcism of Leo XIII, it is clear that now, more than ever, the gravity of what is happening around us, the succession of wars, suffering, prevarication, which are now so frequent and constant they have been normalised, and are taken for granted, requires the intervention of a benign force, equipped with the appropriate weapons to defeat evil. The Archangel St. Michael is a symbol of inexhaustible spiritual strength, courage, loyalty, purity still capable of guiding and saving souls who wish to follow the right path.
Another prayer dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel worth mentioning is the angelic Crown, composed by Antonia de Astonac, a Portuguese Carmelite, in 1751. Recognised by Pope Pius IX, it is a sort of Rosary which is addressed above all to the Archangels and the angelic choirs. It is in fact made up of an invocation to God (Gloria), an invocation (composed of one Our Father and three Hail Marys) for each of the nine angelic choirs, and four Our Fathers, three for each of the Archangels and one for the Guardian angel.
In general, the salient features with which Saint Michael Archangel is depicted are armour, a sword, or a spear, with a warlike posture. Since the cult of St. Michael the Archangel was founded in the East, or in any case in the Byzantine area, he is very often depicted with elegant robes, like a Byzantine dignitary, as can be seen in many of the icons of St. Michael the Archangel, as well as in the works of Simone Martini, for example.
In this context, the Saint is usually dressed by a purple cloak or the imperial loros; in his hand he carries the Labar, a banner bearing the trisághion, an ancient anthem, bearing the text: “Holy God, Holy Strength, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.” As regards the Byzantine’s devotion to St. Michael,, it is worth remembering that Emperor Constantine I had the Michaelion built in his name in Constantinople, a huge sanctuary, while in the West the first basilica dedicated to St. Michael probably dates back to the fifth century.
As regards Byzantine iconography, the western tradition prefers Saint Michael presented at the Apocalypse, a as celestial warrior, a prince in armour with his wings spread, who guides the divine armies against the Evil One. The Archangel Michael is generally depicted on foot, in the form of a young beardless, hieratic man, with his wings spread, a spear or a sword in his hand, and a crossed globe in the other. He wears a flowing tunic, sometimes a cloak, but is always the armour.
On the contrary, we owe the Islamic tradition the occurrences, in some representations of him, to a scale, that the Archangel uses to weighs souls, with a view to their Judgement. This is a tradition that has its origins in paganism, in particular in the Egyptian myth of Osiris, and in Persian mythology, but has been portrayed by many artists. It spread, particularly in the Romanesque-Gothic context, to both the East and West. In this interpretation, St. Michael the Archangel appears as protector of the dead, their psychopomp or guide, as was Hermes or Charon in the Greek tradition, and as a weigher of souls.
Moreover, the iconography of Saint Michael, as he appears in the icons, paintings and statues that depict him, owes much to that of gods and heroes of pagan mythology, in which a heroic figure appears at the end of time, and defeats Evil, which is often represented by a monster. Think of the Babylonian god Marduk, of Mithras, or Hermes, all of them are connected by the characteristic of being a mediator between the heavenly powers and man, the bearers of light and salvation, which we also find associated with St. Michael.
As regards the statues dedicated to Archangel Michael, they are innumerable, and again take on the pictorial iconography of the warrior armed with a sword that defeats the Devil, or a Dragon, as well as the more oriental interpretation of a St. Michael who judges the souls of men.
In addition to the Byzantine and Romanesque bas-reliefs, of which there are many examples all over the world, we can consider in particular the Statue of the Archangel Michael in the Basilica at Monte Sant’Angelo, or the numerous statues of San Michele that succeeded on the top of Castel Sant ‘Angelo in Rome, the first, in wood, since the eleventh century, and finally, the San Michele di Raffaello by Montelupo, made from marble and metal, with magnificent painted wings, which unfortunately have been lost, and the bronze statue by Peter Anton van Verschaffelt, which was erected in 1752, and even today, watches over the Eternal City.
Altar Servers, more commonly known as altar boys, are children or teenagers who assist a priest during Mass. Their name comes from the Latin word “ministrare” which means ‘’to serve’’. Their role is recognized by the Conciliar Constitution as an integral part of the liturgic…
It is not easy to explain certain things to a child. Not even for modern children, used to witnessing impressive scenes on television every day, bombarded on all sides by disturbing images, suggestions, media solicitations completely disrespectful of their age, the fragile condition of their…
Baptisms, Communions, Marriages: what do these three occasions have in common? We guess that the first thing that for many of you, the first thing that came to mind was: the favours. And it’s perfectly true. On the occasion of all these celebrations, it is traditional to distribute small items to keep to invited relatives and friends, as a thank-you for taking part, and to leave them with a memory of the event, accompanied by confetti. Boxes, frames, and over recent years homemade jams, books, objects of all kinds, depending on tastes, or, for children who are celebrating a Baptism or Communion, the tastes of their parents.
There’s nothing wrong with any of this, except that, in recent years, the true meaning of these ceremonies seems to have been lost, and some favours have to some extent played a role in this progressive oblivion. The reason is simple: more and more often we choose to give guests ‘profane’ favours, which have little or nothing to do with the sacrament that they should commemorate. Baptism, First Communion and Marriage are, indeed, sacraments, and as such they should be remembered with something that emphasizes its religious significance, its spiritual importance.
So the choice is between sacred or profane favours, but how should we move in this colourful and infinitely varied world, made of tulle, ribbons, precious and delicate materials, and, above all, of delicious colourful sweets?
The candy box has been a recurring object in the history of the West for centuries. Its origins are rooted in the custom of making small containers full of sweets or ‘gluttons’ for friends and relatives on special occasions, not necessarily marriage, even if it seems that in Italy it was already common in 1400 to exchange boxes filled with sugared almonds the spouses. Even in fifteenth century Italy, a future husband often gave his future bride an amatory cup, which depicted a female face inside, or alternatively the effigy of a pregnant rabbit: drinking together from this cup was a guarantee of good fate, prosperity and fertility.
More generally, these containers were widespread since far more remote times. Its presence is attested to by the Assyrians, the Phoenicians and ancient Chinese civilizations. Often they were made of precious materials, like gold, silver, mother of pearl and ivory, and were offered as a sign of gratitude, good wishes, for example for the new year, or friendship.
The ladies of high society, at the court of Elizabeth I of England, had these little boxes (the “Sweetmeat boxes”) that were real works of art, filled with small and delicious sweets to savour in every moment.
It was however in the 18th century that wedding favours were officially associated with the sacrament of Matrimony. Also in this context, it assumed the name with which we know it today, a favour, in fact, from “bombonniere”, a container destined to welcome bon-bon.
Regardless of their use, these small containers for sweets grew in popularity and spread over time, and thanks to the work of skilled artisans and goldsmiths, they became increasingly beautiful, precious and coveted. In addition, their use in the nuptial context enhanced the religious and spiritual meaning, which subsequently determined its use also on the occasion of other important sacraments, such as the Baptism and the Communion.
Therefore the very history of the wedding favours sees sacred and profane motivations intertwine, but it is undoubted that the diffusion of these objects on the occasion of the ceremonies and celebrations is to be found precisely in their being symbols of religiosity.
The confetti
Only some curiosity about the confetti, which are traditionally contained in wedding favours, regardless of their shape, usually in bags of tulle or fabric. The confetti must be in odd quantities, and usually five, to symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility, longevity. Even the composition of the candy, or an almond covered with coloured sugar, is not accidental: the almond has a sweet taste, but with a bitter background, as is often the life, while the sugar that covers it symbolizes the will by those who love the celebrated or the celebrated to sweeten their existence and make it lighter.
The colour of the confetti changes according to the ceremony, even if for the sacraments usually white is preferred, with a pink or blue concession for the Baptism of little girls and children.
Baptism is the first big party in the life of a Christian. It determines its entry into the Church, through the purification from the original Sin. The following sacraments will in many ways be a confirmation of this participation in religious life. It is therefore important that the ceremony of baptism be accompanied by a party that solemnly highlights this fundamental passage.
Often the celebrated is too small to fully appreciate it, but those who will be invited to participate in this so precious event will have to cherish a memory that recalls its profound significance. Even more than on other occasions, therefore, the choice of sacred favours for Baptism it is desirable.
This does not mean giving up colourful and beautiful objects, far from it! The religious favours made for the baptism of children take into account the age of the celebrated and the occasion that is going to celebrate. There are many types and colours; cross-shaped party favours, but also of an angel, of heart or favours in the shape of a vine leaf. They are decorated with drawings and engravings often made with a childish and playful stroke, painted in bright colours. If they represent the Holy Family, they will do it with colourful children and the features of children. Beautiful sculptures that represent a large hand that collects and protects a child inside, like a casket that contains a precious jewel.
Also the First Communion represents a fundamental passage in the life of a young faithful, because it represents the first time in which he or she approaches the Eucharist. It is still, usually, children and girls, but no longer unaware, like the baptized. Indeed, those who are preparing to receive First Communion do so after a long journey of Catechesis, which has educated them on the story of Jesus and made them aware of the importance of the sacrament who are preparing to receive.
Also in this case the sacred favours for the Communion they will favour childish, colourful and graceful images, even if with a more mature and conscious symbolism. I widespread squares with the image of the spike or bread, symbols of the Body of Christ that nourishes, or of the vine leaf, of the bunch of grapes and of the Wine that symbolize the blood of Christ that quenches thirst. Also for the Communion recur the forms of the dove, of the angel, of the hands that protect or that, arrived in prayer, remind to the celebrated its new duties of Cristiano.
The choice of sacred favours for the wedding It is considered fundamental by many future brides. Also in this case it will be important to consider not only personal tastes, but also the true meaning of the step that is about to take place. Marriage more than any other sacrament had its consecration in favours, since it is precisely in the context of this celebration that the tradition of wedding favours was born.
So even in this case the choice of religious favours is varied and not attentive to fashion, trends, as it should be. Choosing sacred favours does not mean necessarily having to give up a trendy wedding and that also satisfies the desire for beauty. There are splendid religious favours made of crystal and silver, adorned with amber and Swarovski crystals that can rival peacefully with many furnishing accessories and with objects present in the most refined wedding lists. It is important for young married couples to realize this fundamental point, because too often, despite choosing marriage in the Church, in organizing the ceremony and the reception, one tends to forget the spiritual component of this passage, its most authentic and deepest meaning.
We have already discussed the importance of the figures of the Godfather and Godmother on the occasion of a Confirmation. Their role is really important, and not just on the occasion of the sacrament itself. The Godfather and Godmother for the Confirmation will have to remain…
Incense has always been linked to the idea of the sacred, and the divine. Since the earliest times, its use has been attested in ancient civilizations, almost always for religious purposes. Their intense and aromatic scent was considered to be appreciated by the Gods, as it…
At the time of the ancient Roman civilization in situations of extreme gravity, a commander could decide to sacrifice his life to ensure the victory of his own troops and the salvation of his men. To do so, he pronounced a vow to the gods of the underworld, with which he pledged to offer himself to them, and the enemy army. This act had the name of devotion, from the Latin deuouere, meaning “to make a vow”.
Devotion can therefore be summarised in an act of love and trust pronounced by man towards God.
In a Christian context, it is not necessarily an extreme sacrifice, with which the faithful offers his own life, but a religious practice addressed to God, to Our Lady, to a Saint, composed of spiritual love and fervent prayer. Indeed, devotion becomes a form of prayer that is optional, compared to the official Liturgy and that of the Hours, but which has spread over time in various forms, giving rise to celebrations and moments of prayer that have now entered the life of every Christian. 
Let’s think about the recitation of the Rosary, the Way of the Cross, at the Angelus, but also about processions, pathways of prayer and spiritual meditation, such as the Sacred Mountains, devotional walks through sacred scenarios that offered to the fifteenth-century pilgrims a less expensive and more viable alternative to pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Devotional practices are a way in which the Church celebrates every day of the year with solemnity and fervour, turning her attention and her love to one saint, then to another, then to a particular characteristic of Mary or of Jesus. Although in some cases devotional practices have, over time, assumed a folkish dimension, it would be profoundly wrong to limit the importance of this phenomenon to picturesque festivals and popular processions alone. On the contrary, the popular feasts dedicated to the Saints, to Jesus and to Our Lady, as well as the main festivities such as Christmas and Easter, risk making us forget the true devotional and ascetic spirit from which they were born, which has been overwhelmed by consumerism and a culture that depletes these occasions of their solemnity. Instead, they are celebrations closely linked to the history and social development of the communities in which they developed, and were created to enrich the spiritual life of those who celebrate them, to make every day of every month, special and pleasing to God.
Let’s look at a few of them, sub-divided by the months in which they are celebrated.
The month of January is dedicated to the baby Jesus and in particular to the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Eight days after Christmas, the devotion of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is honoured, to celebrate the day when St. Joseph made circumcised him and gave him the name. This devotional cult has been celebrated since the origins of the Church. In fact it seems Saints Peter and Paul contributed to its spread, and later, in the Middle Ages, Saint Francis of Assisi was a proponent. San Bernardino and his confreres made it a liturgical feast. The devotion of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is focused on the power of the name of Jesus, as a defence and ornamentation for the faithful, a protection against evil and a precious talisman against demons, diseases and infirmities. Jesus revealed to Sister Saint-Pierre, the Carmelite of Tour, the Apostle of Reparation, the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus of Jesus, which is recited on this occasion as a way of offering her unconditional love to Jesus:
Always to be praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified, the Most Holy, the Most Sacred, the most adored – yet incomprehensible – Name of God
In heaven, on earth or in the underworld, from all the creatures that come out of the hands of God.
For the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.
Amen
The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Most Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit is God, and at the same time, the gift of love that God gives to his devoted children. It descends on believers like a burning flame and makes their words winged, so that they can reach the Father. February devotions also include those to the Holy Family, the family par excellence, the one composed of Jesus, Joseph and Mary. The prayers and litanies are all dedicated to this perfect example of Love and Faith, to which everyone should look to live in serenity and fullness. The devotions to the Holy Family express the will to do what pleases Jesus, Mary and Joseph and to avoid what could displease them.
The month of March is dedicated to devotion to Saint Joseph, which is celebrated on March 19th. St. Joseph is an example of a good and loving father par excellence, of a faithful and caring husband, but also of humble servant of the Divine Will, as he accepted his role as the husband of Mary and putative father of Jesus without questioning the design of God. St. Joseph is greatly honoured by the Catholic Church and enjoys a role of great importance in many prayers of the Roman rites.
He is also the protagonist of many devotional practices, such as the “practice of the Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph”, as well as many Litanies, such as the Cingolo or Cordone di San Giuseppe, the Coroncina di San Giuseppe, the Scapular of San Giuseppe, Sacred Mantle, the Perpetual Novena, the Perpetual Crown, the Perpetual Court. We turn to him to ask for graces and intercessions.
April devotions are addressed to the Eucharist, to the Divine Holy Spirit and to Divine Mercy. The Eucharist symbolises the sacrifice of Jesus, which is renewed at every Mass, and His being descending on those He loved to protect them and guide them after His death. The Eucharist contains in itself all the love of Jesus, in all its forms: crucified, unitive, adoring, contemplative, praying, intoxicating. To reserve time and attention to this devotion leads to the attainment of many graces and a sense of closeness to the priceless love of God. Jesus dictated the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to Saint Faustina Kowalska in 1935, promising that whoever recites this prayer would have the certainty of dying in peace and grace, and of letting those who have listened to them die peacefully. This devotion guarantees forgiveness even to the most hardened and recidivist sinners, showing the immensity of Jesus’ mercy.
The month is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who is blessed among women and mothers. Mary is a symbol and a role model for all women, of sacrifice, of humility and immense love. Wherever you go you will find statues of the Madonna in all her grace. In May, Mary is the protagonist of many festivals: on May 13th, Our Lady of Fatima, May 31st, Visitation, Mother’s Day. With devotion to Mary we turn to her as an intermediary between man and God, a sweet and loving spokesman for the troubles of humanity, a receptacle of dreams, desires, hopes. In this, Mary is the only one able to bring together those who have been lost to God, accepting prayers and repentance and raising it to heaven with the power of his love.
The Great Promise made by Jesus in Santa Margherita Maria Alacoque in 1620 started the devotion from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which sees June as its reference month. Jesus said to the Saint:
“My divine Heart is so passionate about love for men, that since it can no longer contain the flames of its burning charity …I have chosen you to fulfill this great design.”
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is therefore addressed to the merciful Jesus, reaching out to men, ready to forgive their sins, their weaknesses. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus protects from evil and purifies the heart of every sinner. Litanies and prayers celebrate this devotion, besides observing the three rules imposed by Jesus on the Saint with the Great Promise:
The Sacred Heart of Jesus guarantees that none of those who have done the Nine First Good Friday will die in mortal sin.
Month dedicated to Precious Blood of Our Lord, the true salvation of the world, symbol of the sacrifice made by Jesus to cleanse humanity of all sins. The first Sunday of the month is consecrated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord, which should be honoured by showing repentance, temperance, moderation in passions, to prove worthy of the sacrifice of Jesus and the immense saving power of his Blood. This festival, is in some ways the crowning of the month of the Holy Heart that has just ended (June), as established by Pope Pius IX.
The month of August is dedicated to God the Father, to which a feast is dedicated during the liturgical year.
It was through mother Eugenia Elisabetta Ravasio (1907-1990) that the Father asked for a feast to be established in his honour. In this month, we should turn to God the Father, renewing his Will to entrust ourselves completely to him, consecrating ourselves to his will and invoking grace for ourselves and those we love.
September is the month dedicated to angels, the messengers between God and men, custodians and guides of our every step, in day dreams. We turn to them, invoking their protection and help, because they watch over us and give us the strength to believe and love God with all the strength we are capable of.
The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. The recitation of the Rosary has always been connected to the promise of obtaining a plenary or partial indulgence. Reciting the Rosary allows us to obtain graces and consolations through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The name rosary derives from “crown of roses”. The rose is the symbolic flower of Mary. In fact, in the Middle Ages statues of Mary were decorated with rose crowns as a sign of love and devotion. The crown of the Rosary was born from these crowns, and used to pray and meditate. It was the Cistercians in the thirteenth century who contributed the devotion to the Virgin with the prayers to be recited using the Rosary. In 1571, on the occasion of the battle of Lepanto, Pope Pius V invited all Christians to pray with the Rosary to invoke the victory of Christians against the Ottomans. The victory of the Madonna della Vittoria festival originated in this victory, and later came the feast of the Madonna del Rosario (October 7th).
Other devotees and blessed, like Alano della Rupe, St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort and Blessed Bartolo Longo gave vigour to devotion, just as, more recently, the apparitions of Mary at Lourdes and to Fatima did.
The Holy Rosary is the most effective prayer against Satan.
November is the month dedicated to Souls of the Dead, and their memory. The devotion manifests itself through actions of suffrage for deceased loved ones, but also for the dead in general, and with a profound meditation on the transient nature of human life, and on its frailty before God. The prayers recited in the context of this devotion not only allow access to plenary indulgences, but also contribute towards purifying the souls of the dead, and saving them from Purgatory.
The month of December is naturally focused on preparations for Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus, but also the Immaculate Conception of Mary, born without sin, pure and unique among women. For Christians the week of Advent represents a period of greater spiritual meditation, in view of the renewal of the birth of the Saviour, and offers numerous occasions for common prayer with the family and other faithful.
Whenever we think of Easter, apart from the religious significance of this festival for Christians, the first thought that probably comes to mind is chocolate eggs, which we give away as gifts for the occasion. The Easter egg is a form gluttony covered with coloured, shiny…
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a devotional prayer that guarantees those who recite it, especially at the point of death, the grace of conversion and the forgiveness of all sins. It is also a prayer that invokes God’s mercy on all humanity, offering the Passion…
The Novena is a Christian devotional form that is usually practiced on a religious recurrence or a particularly important holiday, like at Christmas, Easter, Immaculata or Pentecost. It involves reciting a particular prayer for nine consecutive days, or different prayers, addressed to God, and usually aimed at requesting the intercession of Our Lady, of a Saint or the angels to give comfort, protection, ask for a favour or the resolution of a particular problem.
The Novena, which takes its name from the medieval Latin ‘novenus’, arises from Jesus request to his disciples to pray after his death while waiting for the Holy Spirit to manifest. Thus Our Lady and the Apostles prayed together for nine days, from the Ascension to Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit finally descended upon them. This episode, reported in the Acts of the Apostles, gave rise to this practice, which is particularly valuable for those who are in a situation of trouble and suffering for themselves or for someone they love. Jesus had already revealed what it was necessary to do to find peace: “pray always without getting tired“(Lk 18.1). To pray with humility, with absolute trust, without believing that prayer is a sort of magic formula that will solve every problem by magic, but we should be aware of the fact that, by praying, we are entrusting ourselves to God and to his infinite mercy.
In this context, the practice of a particular form of Novena was born and developed: the Novena to Mary that loosens the knots. A bizarre name, but one that perfectly embodies the spirit of those who are preparing to recite this particular prayer and to face the spiritual path it requires.
The image of Mary who melts knots expresses very well the need of the faithful to receive help from the Blessed Virgin to solve a problem, find comfort and a solution when in a particularly difficult situation. In a word, dissolving a knot that prevents him or her from living well, which blocks their life, interrupting their natural flow. The knots that can create discomfort are of various kinds and entities. Some knots we carry with us for years without even knowing it, others are open and apparently incurable wounds, which poison our days. A quarrel with a family member, a lack of communication or respect, a sick child, or being prey to a habit that consumes their life, someone we love and who has turned away from God, the pain caused by a child who takes drugs , who is sick or who has left home, guilty of mistakes made in the past, incurable diseases, depression, awareness of having sinned in a way that they consider cannot be forgiven. With this Novena, the intercession of Mary is requested to dissolve any knot that causes us pain. This may be a problem related to everyday life, work, a family problem, a sick relative, or a situation of physical or mental discomfort, a personal quarrel with a partner, a child, a parent. Whatever the knot that prevents us from living peacefully, which makes our days heavy and burdensome, we can ask Mary to help us to untie it and find peace. Mary is particularly suitable as a reference for a prayer of this kind, she who has always been considered the Mother of all mothers, the reference point for those who are lost in a stormy and dark sea and vaguely search for a star to guide them. It is no coincidence that San Bernardo di Chiaravalle referred to her as “Stella del Mare” (The Star of the Sea).
The first Novena to Mary who breaks the knots was written in 1998 by an Argentinian priest, Juan Ramón Celeiro. With his sensitivity, he was able to give voice to the devotion of many people, even far from the Church, who were able to find in Mary the help and intercession needed to solve their problems. Mary, Virgin and Mother, who was consoling and merciful, opened her hands and her heart to those who were able to believe and rely on her. Immediately appreciated and authorised by the Church, this Novena spread rapidly, thanks above all to Cardinal Bergoglio, then Pope Francis, who sustained it immediately.
The Novena di Maria who melts the knots is recited for nine consecutive days as a prelude or tail of the Holy Rosary. First you need to make the Sign of the Cross and recite the act of contrition. At this point, with the soul predisposed to prayer, we turn to Mary reciting the “Supplication to Mary who Melts the Knots”. Alternatively, the petition can be recited at the end of the Rosary. This prayer is found in a booklet specially written to help the faithful in their devotional practice.
Then the real Rosary begins, with the first three dozen, the Meditation corresponds to each day of the Novena, the last two dozen, followed by the “Salve Regina” and another prayer to Mary that loosens the knots. But in reality the scheme can be varied depending on the possibilities and conditions of those who pray. The important thing is the attitude with which one asks oneself to pray. If on the one hand we must avoid thinking of prayer as a sort of magic formula, covering the words or the way in which they are recited with an entirely external importance, devoid of spiritual depth, it is, on the other hand, necessary to trust prayer with complete confidence along with the effects we hope to achieve with it.
In this, as in every other practice, what matters is how we place ourselves, with humility, availability, an open soul, elevated to God, the spirit free from doubts and hesitation. We are supplicants, and as such we must address ourselves to Her who, in her infinite goodness and love, can solve our problems only if we are willing to trust in her help.
The Catholic Church recognises the existence of only three Archangels, or the three mentioned in the Scriptures: Michael (“Who is like God?”), Gabriel (“God’s Power”) and Raphael (“God’s Doctor”). This clarification is needed, because one could object that in the texts of the past, other archangels have been mentioned, the same as…
It isn’t easy to explain what a Confession is to a child. It isn’t easy because it isn’t easy to explain what the concept of Sin is to them. Yet it is fundamental for a child’s growth as a human being, and as a Christian, that they understand what…
According to Christian tradition, every one of us has a guardian angel, who accompanies us from the moment we’re born until the moment of our death, and stays at our side at every moment of our life. The idea of a spirit, of a supernatural entity that follows and supervises every human being, was already present in other religions and in Greek philosophy. In the Old Testament, we can read that God is surrounded by a genuine court of heavenly figures who worship Him and perform actions in His name. Even in these ancient books, there are frequent references to angels sent by God as protectors of people and individuals, as well as messengers. In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to respect even the smallest and humble, in a reference to their angels, who watch over them from heaven and contemplate the face of God at every moment.
The Guardian Angel, therefore, is linked to anyone who lives within God’s grace. The Fathers of the Church, like Tertullian, Saint Augustine, Saint Ambrose, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Jerome and Saint Gregory of Nyssa, maintained that a guardian angel existed for each person, and although there was not yet a dogmatic formulation concerning this figure, already during the Council of Trent (1545 – 1563) it was stated that every human being had their own angel.
From the seventeenth century onwards, the spread of popular devotion increased and Pope Paul V added the festival of guardian angels to the calendar.
Also in sacred representations and above all, in the images of popular devotion, Guardian Angels began to appear, and were usually depicted in the act of protecting children from harm. In fact, it is especially by children that we are encouraged to talk with our Guardian Angels, and to address our prayers to them. As we grow up, this blind trust, this unconditional love towards an invisible yet extraordinarily reassuring presence, fades.
Here’s what we should remember whenever we want to find it near to us:
The Gospel affirms this, the Scriptures support it by countless examples and episodes. The Catechism teaches us from an early age to feel this presence on our side and to trust in it.
Our Guardian Angel is not created with us at the time of our birth. They have always existed, from the instant at which God created all of the angels. It was a single event, a single moment in which Divine Will generated all the angels, by the thousands. After this, God no longer created any other angels.
Even the angels differ from each other in their tasks, and above all in their positions in heaven compared to God. Some angels in particular are selected to take a test and, if they pass it, they are qualified for the role of Guardian Angels. When a child is born, one of these angels is chosen to stand by his side until death and beyond.
… and only one. We cannot sell it, we can not share it with anyone. In this regard also, the Scriptures are full of references and quotations.
Our Angel cannot oblige us to follow the path of goodness. He cannot decide for us, impose choices on us. We are and remain free. But his role is precious, important. As a silent and trustworthy advisor, our angel stays by our side, trying to advise us for the best, to suggest the right path to follow, to obtain salvation, to deserve Paradise, and above all to be good people and good Christians.
In this life and in the next, we will know that we can count on them, on these invisible and special friends, who never leave us alone.
Although it might be nice to think that when someone we love died, they became an Angel, and as such returned to be by our side, unfortunately, this isn’t so. Our guardian angel cannot be anyone we have known in life, nor a member of our family who has died prematurely. It has always existed, it is a spiritual presence generated directly by God. This does not mean that it loves us less! We should remember that God is Love first and foremost.
… or, if he has, it is not our job to establish it. In the Scriptures, the names of some angels are mentioned, such as Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. Any other name attributed to these celestial creatures is neither documented nor confirmed by the Church, and as such it is inappropriate to claim it to use for our Angels, especially by pretending we’ve determined it using a fanciful method like the month of our birth, etc.
We must not think of having a tender plump cherub at our side playing the harp. Our Angel is a warrior, a strong and courageous fighter, who ranks at our side in every battle of life and protects us when we are too fragile to do it alone.
It is to the angels that God addresses himself in communicating with us. Their job is to make us understand his Word, and move us in the right direction.
