OUR LADY OF THE STAR

Day 22: June 01

This feast day, Our Lady of the Star, is so called because of a miracle that occurred at Aquileia when Saint Bernardine arrived and began to preach. It is affirmed that a bright light similar to a star was seen on the head of St Bernardine, a star that was easily visible even during the hours of daylight when he preached at Aquileia, applying to the Blessed Virgin that passage of the Apocalypse where it is said that there were twelve stars on her head.

Saint Bernardine preached that this glorious woman is the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was in the mind of God before the time of creation, and who is the Mother of God and of the Church, as well as the Queen of Heaven. The miracle of Our Lady of the Star seems to confirm Saint Bernadine's teaching that Pope Saint Pius X and other popes later affirmed.

Aquileia was Roman city that was founded as a stronghold along the Natiso River on the frontier of the growing Roman Empire in about the year 180 BC. It soon became an important trade center, and there were many roads that were soon built leading to this city. In time, peoples of all nations and races began to settle there and produce goods for trade.

The city maintained its importance, and centuries later the Emperor Constantine was known to have visited Aquileia on several occasions, as it had become recognized as one of the greatest cities in the world. Such prominence attracted Attila the Hun, who attacked the city twice. In the year 452 he took the city, demolishing it to the point that none of the structures still stood after his passing.

The city was promptly rebuilt, however, as the residents returned from hiding. Charlemagne made the priest at Aquileia a new patriarch, though eventually that Patriarchate was passed to the Republic of Venice, a city that was founded by the people of Aquileia during the time of Attila’s second invasion.

The present Cathedral at Aquileia, the location of the miracle of Our Lady of the Star, was built by the Patriarch Poppo in the 11th century, and rebuilt in the beautiful Gothic style in the 14th century. As the cathedral was built over the remains of the previous church, the floor has magnificent mosaic paves dating from the 4th century, as well as ancient frescos.

Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Visitation

We unite ourselves, O holy virgin Mary, to the reverence and to the speechless joy of St Zachariah, of St Elizabeth, to the joy and exultation of the Baptist, to the jubilation of all peoples in welcoming your many, unexpected wholesome visits for eternal glory.

You bring us to Jesus so that he may offer himself to us in the mystery of his sacrifice, of his doctrine, that he may conquer us in the work of his wonders.

He offers himself to us in your virginal womb, he comes to us in your visitation, he speaks to us through your words, that he may sanctify us with your presence.

By what mysterious reason, the honor and the ineffable benefit of your visit come to us? How is it that you left the solitude of Nazareth and quietness of your holy house?

You travelled the roads of this world, to come to our houses of sinners, at the very moment, you became mother of God, when it seemed that you would remain to a greater extent in God alone.

But coming to us, you don't come out of your ecstasy in the Lord! You become engrossed in the mystery of the redemption commenced with the incarnation in you of the divine Word!

You bring souls with more glorious form of thankfulness to the divine grace, that is, your cooperation in the divine work.

By what mysterious reason, do the honor and the inestimable benefit of your visit come to us? Not from the usual charity and humility of your heart, O most beloved and most humble Virgin!

They come to us by the charity and humility of the same heart of Jesus that beats in you and elevates your humility and charity, to the supreme resemblance to and union with his divine humility and charity.