THE HOLY VIRGIN OF COmFORT
In the second half of 1700 many earthquakes were registered in Italy , including the land around Arezzo that began to tremble, sowing panic by inhabitants of Arezzo, who saw in the earthquake a punishment from God for their sins. In Porta San Clemente, in the historic center of town, there was a home of the Fathers Camaldolesi where there was a cellar where the wine was sold as retail to the less wealthy. The story is that in this cellar there was a small terracotta depicting the Madonna of Provenzano blackened by the smoke that was released when they were turned on the kitchen during the harvest, or simply to offer something for travelers.
One evening, the earth began to shake and people who were locked in the cellar asked to the Virgin forgiveness for their blasphemies and gathered in prayer. Suddenly the image of Our Lady began to shine and become a white shiny. From that moment the earth stopped trembling, the image of the Virgin Mary was taken into the Cathedral with a feast and start the process of canonization of the image as a bearer of miracoli. Venereted from Arezzo by February 15, 1796, has protected the city during the assault of French troops led by Captain Lauvergne who wanted to impose on the city no-cristians principles.The city rose to cries of 'Viva Maria!' consists of a small army to expel the French. The French withdrew their troops from this city of Arezzo, the people holding the flags in praise to the Virgin of Comfort did withdraw the French. Once again the faith in the little picture of Terracotta had won. Today it is still very strong devotion to Our Lady of Arezzo of Comfort February 15 that each can be found in the Cathedral in the chapel dedicated to her to pray as if miracles of the past successes were also present.
"Mary Most Holy always wants to comfort her children in moments of great difficulty and suffering"
AREZZO, Italy, MAY 14, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the brief address Benedict XVI gave before praying the midday Regina Caeli on Sunday in Arezzo. The Holy Father made a one-day trip to the region of Tuscany, celebrating Mass in Arezzo and also visiting Sansepolcro.
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Dear brothers and sisters!
At the conclusion of this eucharistic celebration, the time of the Marian prayer invites us all to go in spirit before the image of Our Lady of Comfort in the cathedral.
As Mother of the Church, Mary Most Holy always wants to comfort her children in moments of great difficulty and suffering. And this city has experienced her maternal succor many times. Thus, today also, we entrust to her intercession all of the persons and families of your community that find themselves in situations of great need.
At the same time, through Mary, we ask moral comfort of God that the community of Arezzo and all of Italy reject the temptation of discouragement and, strong in the great humanistic tradition also, decisively set out again upon the path of spiritual and ethical renewal, which alone can lead to an authentic improvement of social and civil life. Everyone can and must make a contribution to this task.
O Mary, Our Lady of Comfort, pray for us!
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
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