Our Lady of Good Counsel

Devotion to our Lady of Good Counsel began with a reverent woman in an irreverent age. Petruccia Noteria, a pious widow, lived in Renaissance Genazzano, a small walled town near Rome. A Church there, named the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, had been built a thousand years earlier, but it had been abandoned and was nearly in ruins. Petruccia had a vision that she should rebuild the church, so she dedicated all her modest funds to that purpose. Rather than admiring her efforts, her modern-minded skeptical neighbors treated her with scorn and derision.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

According to legend, an image of the Madonna and Child was miraculously transported to the church from its former location in Albania, where it had been threatened by vandalism from Muslim invaders.

Once the image appeared, scores of miracles attributed to the Blessed Virgin were recorded in the next few months, and the church was finally repaired and became a destination for pilgrims.

Dr. Marian Therese Horvat writes: "One of great graces one finds at the feet of Our Lady of Genazzano and from the example of the noble Petruccia is that of confidence. If we have the courage to pray and act with confidence for great or impossible things, great and impossible things will be given us. God never refuses confident prayers, and bestows his gifts in proportion to our confidence."

Today Pope St. Cletus I and Pope St. Marcellinus are also honored by those that follow the traditional calendar. St. Cletus was the third pope after St. Peter and St. Linus. St. Marcellinus wisely provided for large rooms to be constructed in catacombs so that the Roman church could continue to worship even during persecution. Both entered into eternal life as martyrs.

Prayer to the Blessed Mother for the Universal Indult

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of the Eucharist, we humbly seek thy intercession. O heavenly Mother, for so long now, many in the Church have long desired for a return to the Traditional Latin Mass. Many have sought a universal indult while others have sought out its complete restoration to the Church. Most tender and compassionate mother look upon thy children in this time of expectation. For so long now, dear Lady, many have expected that thy Son’s Vicar on earth would issue a Motu Proprio for the Traditional Mass. Grant dearest Mother by thy powerful intercession that our Holy Father will issue his decree of a universal indult for the Holy Mass of St. Pius V. Grant to us as well by thy powerful intercession that this universal indult will bring about peace and unity in the Church and will help return those traditionalists which have strayed from the fold. O Mother of the Church may our prayer be granted if such is the Will of God. Amen.

Pray an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the Holy Father

Sts. Cletus and Marcellinus, orate pro nobis.