18 APRIL - THE CATHEDRAL OF OUR MOTHER OF LORETO (ITALY)

 he miraculous statue of the Madonna is 33 inches high; it is carved in cedar wood, covered with magnificent drapery and placed on an Altar glittering with precious stones. 

    The Church of Loreto, one of the finest in Italy, has been adorned by the Popes, who have come here on a pilgrimage; three gates of chased bronze give entrance into the holy temple, 

    in the center of which arises the Santa Casa in its clothing of white marble. It would be impossible to enumerate the precious stones and rich presents of all kinds offered by 

    kings containing the names of benefactors to the Santa Casa. The beautiful litany of Our Mother of Loreto was the votive offering with which a celebrated Florentine composer, 

    Barroni, repaid a miracle of the Blessed Virgin. This composer, once lost his hearing and set out on a pilgrimage to Our Mother of Loreto. 

    There he was cured, after praying with faith, and in his gratitude to the Holy Madonna, he composed, by inspiration under the title of Litanie della Santa Casa, 

    was performed for the first time on the 15th of August, 1737.





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