Celebrations
- In Milan, Italy, Our Lady of Port Louis (Santa Maria alla Porta Luigi): it is unclear what this feast refers to.[1]
- In 1696, in Pócs, Hungary, the Könnyezo Szuzanya (the Weeping Virgin) began weeping. The image was known to produce healings, and hence it was moved to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna upon the emperor’s command.
Meditation:
- Speaking again of the scapular, it seems that back in 1322, Pope John XXII promulgated a papal bull saying that the scapular wearer who meets certain conditions (wearing the scapular faithfully, being chaste and praying according to one’s state of life) would be released from Purgatory on the first Saturday following their death. From here arose the tradition of the Sabbatine privilege associated with the scapular. Now, there is debate about the historical veracity of that document, but later popes have confirmed that it is legitimate to think and hope that this is true: Mary obtains the release of souls that were faithful to her in the scapular from purgatory the first Saturday after their death. Why would she be in such a rush to get them out? Because Purgatory isn’t fun; it’s painful and causes great suffering. Like a good Mother, Mary can’t bear to see her children suffer. It’s true that the sufferings in Purgatory are deserved and necessary, but Mary makes it pass as quickly as possible. We can think about how she must help us in our lives. It’s true that often we need to suffer, endure trials, be patient in difficulties. If Mary cares so much about our sufferings in Purgatory, when she knows that we’re already saved, just imagine how much she desires to help us when our salvation is at stake! We can ask ourselves: do we ask Mary to reassure us in sufferings and trials? Do we ask for her intercession, knowing that she accompanies us everywhere, just like a concerned Mother?[2]
[1] Orsini – Barthe – Hahn, The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 553. However, see the comments at https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/89085/ - there is apparently no gate dedicated to Louis.
[2] See Miravalle, Introduction to Mary, 175.
