The 1st Saturday in March, inside the Holy House of the Blessed Virgin at the sanctuary of Loreto (Italy).
On this Saturday, March 1, 2025, the sun is slowly setting over the Loreto sanctuary in Italy. This exceptionally beautiful site is dominated by the basilica built by Pope Paul II to house the true home of the Blessed Virgin. Indeed, just as the Muslims had taken control of Palestine and were about to destroy the house in Nazareth, it was miraculously transported by angels to Italy in 1291.
It was in this house that three essential moments of our Christian faith took place. The Blessed Virgin was conceived here. It is therefore the site of the Immaculate Conception. The Blessed Virgin was born here. It is therefore the place of Her birth. Finally, it was in this house that the angel Gabriel appeared to her. This is the site of the Annunciation. Along with the Holy Sepulchre, this is the most glorious place in the world.
It’s also where the Holy Family lived. These stones, over two thousand years old, saw Jesus as a child and Saint Joseph. They saw the death and departure for heaven of this glorious patriarch. They witnessed Jesus’ departure for his mission after living there for thirty years. That’s why over 200 saints have come to venerate this house. That’s why Pope Paul II built a splendid basilica to house this Holy House. That’s why Pope John Paul II called it the “true Marian heart of Christianity”.
It’s 7pm on Saturday, March1, 2025. Night has fallen. But inside the house of Nazareth, the light of the altar candles shines brightly. Here, in this modest house of Mary, reparation for the offenses committed against her Immaculate Heart of Mary is about to be made. To repair the evil done to her in her own home cannot leave her unmoved. The faithful present were able to take communion. After mass, they were able to keep Mary company by meditating for 15 minutes on a mystery of the Rosary, as she had requested on December 10, 1925. The meditation was on the Annunciation. There’s no need to describe the emotion, recollection and fervor of everyone meditating on this mystery within these walls, which actually saw the Annunciation! Finally, the rosary was recited in the basilica by candlelight.
At the same time, thousands of faithful around the world, gathered in “First Saturday of the Month groups”, carried out Our Lady of Fatima’s request in union with the Holy House of Nazareth. In particular, at the Walsingham Shrine in England, where a copy of the House of Nazareth was made in the 12th century, a solemnFirst Saturdays ceremony also took place.
Let us pray that Our Lady will be sensitive to this third1st Saturday of the month of Jubilee 2025, which took place at Her home out of love for Her and in union with thousands of Catholics around the world. Let us pray, at this time when evil leaders seek to launch a war that will become global. Let us pray that Our Lady will intercede to keep the peace. If enough of us do as she asks, she will grant us that peace. So, for all those who haven’t yet done so, let’s meet on Saturday April 5, 2025. The next shrine where the1st Saturday will take place will also be very special. It will be at the sanctuary of Notre Dame de Casalibus, a sanctuary of the Carthusian order located at La Grande Chartreuse in France. All monasteries will be called upon to join the laity in praying for peace.
