A much-celebrated feast in Italy has been given global attention ever since Pope Leo XIV was elected on the same day and mentioned it during his opening address to the world, when he said:
Today is the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompeii.
Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.
We ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.
The day itself, May 8, is the anniversary of laying the foundation stone of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary that St. Bartolo Longo established in Pompeii in 1876.
St. Bartolo did not randomly choose May 8, but did so deliberately, as he explains in his book, History of the Sanctuary of Pompeii.
St. Michael, protector of the Virgin Mary
He explains how he came to know about the story of the Apparition of St. Michael in Gargano, Italy, and believed St. Michael was connected to the place where he wanted to build a shrine to Our Lady:
When on my first coming to Valle di Pompei, I learned this beautiful story of the apparition of St. Michael on Mount [Gargano], from the Rev. Gennaro Federico, I soon divined that the greatest Prince of Heaven had some divine purpose to fulfill in this Valley. But at that time I was in ignorance of the purpose. Only it seemed evident to me that St. Michael was the natural protector of this spot, that he had honored with his apparition and with the signs of his patronage.
St. Bartolo continues with his reasoning, believing that St. Michael had a special role in protecting the Blessed Mother during her earthly life:
St. Michael the Archangel, — added I, addressing the worthy Prelate — was the Guardian Angel of the Blessed Virgin during her life on earth, St. Michael is the Patron of all the Temples of the living God, and St Michael shall be the Guardian and Protector of the Temple of Pompeii.
With all of this in mind, St. Bartolo proposed May 8 as the day when the cornerstone would be laid for his shrine to Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii.
Prior to Vatican II, May 8 was celebrated universally as the feast of the Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel at Gargano. While it was eventually removed from the General Calendar, it is still celebrated locally in Italy and by those who follow the old calendar.
St. Bartolo further explains how, "we have always, on that 8th day of May, called with faith upon the first Angel of Heaven to celebrate together with us the glories of our common Queen."
Following St. Bartolo's example, we can ask for special protection from St. Michael, as we honor the Blessed Mother.
