Our Lady of Pompeii, Ora Pro Nobis
When asked why He ate and drank with publicans and sinners, Jesus told the Pharisees this: “I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance” (Douay-Rheims Bible, Lk. 5.29-32). Through His Immaculate Mother, Jesus called an unlikely sinner to penance: Blessed Bartolo Longo. Not only did Jesus lead Bl. Bartolo Longo away from a dissolute life as a satanic priest, but He also called him to be a warrior for His Mother’s Holy Rosary. As a part of this new mission, Bl. Bartolo Longo popularized devotion to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii (as seen in the image).
The original image is still in Italy today, and it possesses an interesting history. Bl. Bartolo sought a worthy image to be brought to the city of Pompeii, but the one he found was old, worn, and rather ugly; however, once it reached Pompeii, it was restored to great beauty. A replica was commissioned so that the world could view it and venerate Our Lady of Pompeii; a replica of this second image (seen below) was also painted so that it could remain in the United States, and it was also touched to the traveling image. This third image is now located and was photographed at St. Michael the Archangel Chapel in Jacksonville, Florida.
Now, the image of Our Lady of Pompeii depicts both St. Dominic, who received the Holy Rosary from Mother Mary herself to combat the Albigensian heresy, and St. Catherine of Sienna. A priest I know once commented that St. Catherine would have already known and prayed the Rosary frequently, but Mary gives her another Rosary anyway. This act perhaps symbolizes Her giving St. Catherine a deeper understanding and love for the Mysteries—a greater love of meditation for which all should strive, with the help of God’s Grace, which comes to us through the Mediatrix of All Graces if we are willing to receive it. Our Lady of Pompeii, ora pro nobis!
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