Welcome back Virgin SS.ma Altomare
If uncertain of the origins of devotion and worship of the Virgin SS.ma, Madonna d'Altomare in Mola di Bari, who is venerated in the Church of St. Maria di Loreto, built in 1588, is certain and unquestioned devotion to the sailors Molesi feed for Madonna d'Altomare who see it as their protector, and conferred on it by any hope of fisheries, health and family welfare.
Reliable historical information is rather meager. Certainly we know that, after many vicissitudes, a decree of the Archbishop's restored 02.02.1981 permanently fixing the feast every year to celebrate the first Sunday of July.
course is the cult of the Blessed Virgin dell'Altomare in the city of Andria, where it is said that in 1598 a little girl in a deep tank, dropped, remained alive in the midst of the waters unharmed after three days, and saved by some passers, by chance, heard that voice after stating that "the Mother of God, whose image was painted on the wall of the tank, he had mercifully released by death." Since then, around that
effigy found between the waters "like in a sea", developed a devotion, and that image was given the title "Santa Maria dell'Altomare" by the Bishop of the City of Andria. How then
Marian devotion is Andria arrived at Mola di Bari is hard to say. E 'likely that some farmers moles, emigrating to the early summer Foggia to be used in harvesting the wheat grown on the board, have met with other workers from Andria and they have advertised and made known to the history of Madonna dell'Altomare and stimulated Molesi to import this cult in Mola di Bari provoking, especially in those who for generations have worked at sea, the desire to invoke the Virgin Mary of Altomare and rely on you to be protected from the many dangers of sea.
The festival which this year takes place we live, as we know, certainly not in a happy and carefree and very provident for the same sailors and their boats, severely tried by a striking disruption occurred in the past weeks on a national scale.
The Church is not foreign or indifferent to the problems of mankind, and therefore even today remains insensitive to the disruption that would put at risk and affect the productive activity at sea.
On behalf of the Christian community and as pastor of a parish community and a city overlooking the sea, I express spiritual closeness and solidarity for the delicate work of seamen who deserve attention by all the institutions and better policies for an appropriate hearing and consideration and approval of fees payable and to offer aid to counter a certain crisis in the maritime activity that compromises the future of many families and the entire community.
We know, dear mariners, the sea is part of your life, sometimes the boats are not only means business but also your home, the field work is in fact the sea, your country is the world!
Fishing is an activity that can not give up nor down, Jesus himself had to do with the fishermen who became, later, his precious collaborators and friends, many times he himself is the food of the fruits of their fishing activities.
for our region and the entire citizenship Molese your business is a very precious gift that capacity and honors.
In this time of trial there can be no room for discouragement nor do we have to "give up everything" and lose all hope for the future. Let us entrust ourselves
all the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin, Star of the Sea, "safe port in the sinking."
Mary also does not show himself indifferent to the situations of men. To you care about us, nourishes attention that knows how to be supportive and caring. I am sure that will break through at sea and on the same boats will take your heart in your and our concerns, anxieties, difficulties, expectations, and Sue will be presenting our needs to His Son Jesus, as it did at Cana in Galilee. 01.07.2008
Sac. Pasquale S. Zecchini
Pastor Maria di Loreto in Mola di Bari
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