Latest news with #VirginMarys
17-05-2025
- General
Hail Mary, full of grace: Why popes and other Catholics pray to the Virgin Mary
GENAZZANO, Italy -- Pope Leo XIV closed his first public blessing as pontiff with a Hail Mary, after invoking the feast day of Our Lady of Pompei. On his first papal trip, he went to the Sanctuary of Our Mother of Good Counsel in the medieval village of Genazzano and on the drive back stopped to pray by Pope Francis' tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. That's just three of a myriad Virgin Marys around the world, whose veneration is central to Catholics from the pope to the ordinary faithful. Even many of the less-than-devout know what it means to throw a Hail Mary. The month of May is dedicated to Marian celebrations, so here's a look at the history and traditions about Mary and why praying to her means so much to so many. According to the Gospel, Mary is the mother of Jesus — and the mystery of the incarnation of the son of God through her is central to Christian dogma. The oldest title for Mary is precisely 'mother of God,' or Theotokos in the original Greek. It was chosen after heated theological debate in the first centuries of Christianity. St. Mary Major is the oldest still-standing sanctuary dedicated to that, said Giuseppa Falanga, professor of liturgy at Pontificia Universita della Santa Croce in Rome. It was built on one of Rome's hills in the 5th century — according to tradition, because of the pope's dream and an August snowfall there on what is now also celebrated as the day of Our Lady of the Snows. There are three major categories of titles for Mary — first, those related to dogma and major events in her life. The Assumption on Aug. 15, for instance, celebrates Mary being taken body and soul into heaven. It's marked by Masses and religious festivals but also the peak of summer holidays for faithful and atheists alike in countries such as Italy and Greece, where all but the most essential work grinds to a halt on that feast day. Then there are titles related to apparitions. In December, millions gather in Mexico, and across the Americas, to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe who, according to church tradition, appeared to an Indigenous man in 1531. Millions more visit the sanctuaries in Fatima, Portugal, and in Lourdes, France, other sites of apparitions in the past few centuries. And then there are titles based on what pilgrims and faithful want — from Good Counsel to protection (the many 'Guard' Marys) to Star of the Sea, invoked by seafarers. 'It's almost like there's a Mary for everything,' said Kayla Harris, professor and director of Marian Library at University of Dayton in Ohio. It's also why the rosary is one of the most widely used prayers — including publicly for the pope — and why popular devotions to the Virgin Mary, including processions and festivals, are so central to Christianity, Falanga said. How Mary is represented, however, varies greatly across time and places, Harris added. There are 'Black' Virgin Marys — dark-skinned paintings and statues like Brazil's much beloved Virgin of Aparecida. In rare icons, she's represented pregnant or as an older woman. She's either portrayed alone or, most often, holding the baby Jesus, as in the Genazzano 15th century painting, a close-up of the two faces with Jesus' fingers holding his mother's neck. Mary looking at Jesus makes a theological point, too — inviting worshippers to fix their gaze on Christ, not her. In fact, according to the Catechism, Catholics are to give Mary special veneration, but not worship her — something reserved for God alone, Falanga said. It's that relatability as a mother figure that makes Mary so universally appealing as an intercessor before God, Harris said. Since the 19th century, May has been devoted to the Virgin Mary — though already in Greek and Roman times, goddesses of fertility were celebrated in this month of springtime blooming, she added. Mother's Day is also celebrated in May in many countries, including Italy and the United States — and it coincided with Leo's first public Sunday blessing at noon, a time for another traditional daily invocation to the Virgin Mary. Two mothers who went to morning Mass on a recent weekday at the Genazzano chapel — where the Mary icon stands — said they pray their children, ranging in age from 18 to 24, will keep the faith. 'The Madonna has been holding my hand since I was a child,' said Anastasia Galizia, who grew up in the village and witnessed Leo's visit. 'I ask her how to love her son and I pray for conversion, for me, for my family and for the whole world." At the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome, which is served by Augustinians — Leo's religious order — there are two popular prayer spots for mothers. One is a sculpture known as the 'Labor Madonna' where expecting mothers go; the other is a chapel with the relics of St. Monica, St. Augustine's mother, who prayed incessantly for his conversion. 'We welcome a lot of moms, who come to pray to St. Monica for their children, who have walked away from the faith, and they ask the Lord for the gift to touch their hearts,' said the Rev. Pasquale Cormio, the basilica's rector.
San Francisco Chronicle
17-05-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Hail Mary, full of grace: Why popes and other Catholics pray to the Virgin Mary
GENAZZANO, Italy (AP) — Pope Leo XIV closed his first public blessing as pontiff with a Hail Mary, after invoking the feast day of Our Lady of Pompei. On his first papal trip, he went to the Sanctuary of Our Mother of Good Counsel in the medieval village of Genazzano and on the drive back stopped to pray by Pope Francis' tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. That's just three of a myriad Virgin Marys around the world, whose veneration is central to Catholics from the pope to the ordinary faithful. Even many of the less-than-devout know what it means to throw a Hail Mary. The month of May is dedicated to Marian celebrations, so here's a look at the history and traditions about Mary and why praying to her means so much to so many. One Mary, a myriad titles According to the Gospel, Mary is the mother of Jesus — and the mystery of the incarnation of the son of God through her is central to Christian dogma. The oldest title for Mary is precisely 'mother of God,' or Theotokos in the original Greek. It was chosen after heated theological debate in the first centuries of Christianity. St. Mary Major is the oldest still-standing sanctuary dedicated to that, said Giuseppa Falanga, professor of liturgy at Pontificia Universita della Santa Croce in Rome. It was built on one of Rome's hills in the 5th century — according to tradition, because of the pope's dream and an August snowfall there on what is now also celebrated as the day of Our Lady of the Snows. There are three major categories of titles for Mary — first, those related to dogma and major events in her life. The Assumption on Aug. 15, for instance, celebrates Mary being taken body and soul into heaven. It's marked by Masses and religious festivals but also the peak of summer holidays for faithful and atheists alike in countries such as Italy and Greece, where all but the most essential work grinds to a halt on that feast day. Then there are titles related to apparitions. In December, millions gather in Mexico, and across the Americas, to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe who, according to church tradition, appeared to an Indigenous man in 1531. Millions more visit the sanctuaries in Fatima, Portugal, and in Lourdes, France, other sites of apparitions in the past few centuries. And then there are titles based on what pilgrims and faithful want — from Good Counsel to protection (the many 'Guard' Marys ) to Star of the Sea, invoked by seafarers. 'It's almost like there's a Mary for everything,' said Kayla Harris, professor and director of Marian Library at University of Dayton in Ohio. It's also why the rosary is one of the most widely used prayers — including publicly for the pope — and why popular devotions to the Virgin Mary, including processions and festivals, are so central to Christianity, Falanga said. Different icons, common prayers How Mary is represented, however, varies greatly across time and places, Harris added. There are 'Black' Virgin Marys — dark-skinned paintings and statues like Brazil's much beloved Virgin of Aparecida. In rare icons, she's represented pregnant or as an older woman. She's either portrayed alone or, most often, holding the baby Jesus, as in the Genazzano 15th century painting, a close-up of the two faces with Jesus' fingers holding his mother's neck. Mary looking at Jesus makes a theological point, too — inviting worshippers to fix their gaze on Christ, not her. In fact, according to the Catechism, Catholics are to give Mary special veneration, but not worship her — something reserved for God alone, Falanga said. Motherhood, prayers and the month of May It's that relatability as a mother figure that makes Mary so universally appealing as an intercessor before God, Harris said. Since the 19th century, May has been devoted to the Virgin Mary — though already in Greek and Roman times, goddesses of fertility were celebrated in this month of springtime blooming, she added. Mother's Day is also celebrated in May in many countries, including Italy and the United States — and it coincided with Leo's first public Sunday blessing at noon, a time for another traditional daily invocation to the Virgin Mary. Two mothers who went to morning Mass on a recent weekday at the Genazzano chapel — where the Mary icon stands — said they pray their children, ranging in age from 18 to 24, will keep the faith. 'The Madonna has been holding my hand since I was a child,' said Anastasia Galizia, who grew up in the village and witnessed Leo's visit. 'I ask her how to love her son and I pray for conversion, for me, for my family and for the whole world." At the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome, which is served by Augustinians — Leo's religious order — there are two popular prayer spots for mothers. One is a sculpture known as the 'Labor Madonna' where expecting mothers go; the other is a chapel with the relics of St. Monica, St. Augustine's mother, who prayed incessantly for his conversion. 'We welcome a lot of moms, who come to pray to St. Monica for their children, who have walked away from the faith, and they ask the Lord for the gift to touch their hearts,' said the Rev. Pasquale Cormio, the basilica's rector. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hail Mary, full of grace: Why popes and other Catholics pray to the Virgin Mary
GENAZZANO, Italy (AP) — Pope Leo XIV closed his first public blessing as pontiff with a Hail Mary, after invoking the feast day of Our Lady of Pompei. On his first papal trip, he went to the Sanctuary of Our Mother of Good Counsel in the medieval village of Genazzano and on the drive back stopped to pray by Pope Francis' tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. That's just three of a myriad Virgin Marys around the world, whose veneration is central to Catholics from the pope to the ordinary faithful. Even many of the less-than-devout know what it means to throw a Hail Mary. The month of May is dedicated to Marian celebrations, so here's a look at the history and traditions about Mary and why praying to her means so much to so many. One Mary, a myriad titles According to the Gospel, Mary is the mother of Jesus — and the mystery of the incarnation of the son of God through her is central to Christian dogma. The oldest title for Mary is precisely 'mother of God,' or Theotokos in the original Greek. It was chosen after heated theological debate in the first centuries of Christianity. St. Mary Major is the oldest still-standing sanctuary dedicated to that, said Giuseppa Falanga, professor of liturgy at Pontificia Universita della Santa Croce in Rome. It was built on one of Rome's hills in the 5th century — according to tradition, because of the pope's dream and an August snowfall there on what is now also celebrated as the day of Our Lady of the Snows. There are three major categories of titles for Mary — first, those related to dogma and major events in her life. The Assumption on Aug. 15, for instance, celebrates Mary being taken body and soul into heaven. It's marked by Masses and religious festivals but also the peak of summer holidays for faithful and atheists alike in countries such as Italy and Greece, where all but the most essential work grinds to a halt on that feast day. Then there are titles related to apparitions. In December, millions gather in Mexico, and across the Americas, to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe who, according to church tradition, appeared to an Indigenous man in 1531. Millions more visit the sanctuaries in Fatima, Portugal, and in Lourdes, France, other sites of apparitions in the past few centuries. And then there are titles based on what pilgrims and faithful want — from Good Counsel to protection (the many 'Guard' Marys ) to Star of the Sea, invoked by seafarers. 'It's almost like there's a Mary for everything,' said Kayla Harris, professor and director of Marian Library at University of Dayton in Ohio. It's also why the rosary is one of the most widely used prayers — including publicly for the pope — and why popular devotions to the Virgin Mary, including processions and festivals, are so central to Christianity, Falanga said. Different icons, common prayers How Mary is represented, however, varies greatly across time and places, Harris added. There are 'Black' Virgin Marys — dark-skinned paintings and statues like Brazil's much beloved Virgin of Aparecida. In rare icons, she's represented pregnant or as an older woman. She's either portrayed alone or, most often, holding the baby Jesus, as in the Genazzano 15th century painting, a close-up of the two faces with Jesus' fingers holding his mother's neck. Mary looking at Jesus makes a theological point, too — inviting worshippers to fix their gaze on Christ, not her. In fact, according to the Catechism, Catholics are to give Mary special veneration, but not worship her — something reserved for God alone, Falanga said. Motherhood, prayers and the month of May It's that relatability as a mother figure that makes Mary so universally appealing as an intercessor before God, Harris said. Since the 19th century, May has been devoted to the Virgin Mary — though already in Greek and Roman times, goddesses of fertility were celebrated in this month of springtime blooming, she added. Mother's Day is also celebrated in May in many countries, including Italy and the United States — and it coincided with Leo's first public Sunday blessing at noon, a time for another traditional daily invocation to the Virgin Mary. Two mothers who went to morning Mass on a recent weekday at the Genazzano chapel — where the Mary icon stands — said they pray their children, ranging in age from 18 to 24, will keep the faith. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'The Madonna has been holding my hand since I was a child,' said Anastasia Galizia, who grew up in the village and witnessed Leo's visit. 'I ask her how to love her son and I pray for conversion, for me, for my family and for the whole world.' At the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome, which is served by Augustinians — Leo's religious order — there are two popular prayer spots for mothers. One is a sculpture known as the 'Labor Madonna' where expecting mothers go; the other is a chapel with the relics of St. Monica, St. Augustine's mother, who prayed incessantly for his conversion. 'We welcome a lot of moms, who come to pray to St. Monica for their children, who have walked away from the faith, and they ask the Lord for the gift to touch their hearts,' said the Rev. Pasquale Cormio, the basilica's rector. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Irish Examiner
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Pope Francis's funeral: a day of selfies, souvenirs, and silent prayer in St Peter's Square
From the moment it began, Pope Francis's funeral Mass was, fittingly, as somber as any other — even if the near-400-year-old venue itself was unrivalled. But before prayers started to echo around the historic Italian Baroque basilica, bouncing off the colossal Tuscan colonnades embracing the piazza below from about 9.30am, you could have been forgiven for thinking the hundreds of thousands arriving were actually heading to a concert. All the singing, cheering, laughing, and general merriment lent a carnival atmosphere to proceedings. Souvenir shops did a roaring trade, their doors and walls heaving with everything from fridge magnets to two-foot-high Virgin Marys. Across St Peter's Square, countless couples and groups of friends posed for photos or pulled out selfie sticks to mark the occasion with the basilica as a backdrop. Youngsters hold a banner during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) At times, it felt less like a funeral and more like just another stop on the Vatican tourist trail. On Friday, for example, after seeing the Pope lying in state, many visitors took the chance to admire the splendour of St Peter's Basilica: its giant doors, marble columns, stunning sculptures, and priceless works of art. In some corners of the square, where bags were scanned at small, airport-style kiosks, an unseemly scramble broke out as some tried to push past others to ensure a spot inside. Yet as the service began, the singing stopped, the laughter faded, and the selfie sticks disappeared. A respectful hush fell over the vast crowd almost instantly. A missionary man from Belize records a video after the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) When it came time to kneel, people knelt on the concrete beneath them without hesitation. The square and the surrounding areas were packed, with the crowd spilling down the Via della Conciliazione — the grand boulevard leading to the Christian world's biggest basilica — twenty deep in places, filling the road as far as the eye could see. Undeterred by their distance from the altar, tens of thousands made do with large video screens relaying the ceremony. Even as you moved further away into the city, the service remained ever-present: prayers and hymns floated through the open windows of nearby houses, while screens and speakers broadcast the Mass across other major squares. The coffin of Pope Francis passes the Colosseum in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) In fact, between St. Peter's Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major — a distance of 4km — the sounds of the service were all you could hear. At Saint Mary Major, where the Pope was later interred, large screens and speakers allowed waiting crowds to say a quieter, more personal goodbye. Both locations drew people of all ages, though there was a particularly strong presence of young people, including large groups of scouts in uniform. No doubt, when those young visitors begin attending their first concerts as teenagers, they'll remember the extraordinary 'gig' they witnessed in Rome this weekend — one unlike any other. Read More World leaders reminded of Pope Francis's calls for peace at Vatican funeral
