Loreto and the Holy House: Its History Drawn From Authentic Sources

by Godfrey E. Phillips, Hermenegild (Preparation)

In reply to a petition made to him by the Bishops of the Province of Piceno, in which Loreto stands, our Holy Father Pope Benedict XV. has issued a Decree, dated April 12, 1916, ordering the Feast of the Translation of the Holy House to be henceforth observed each year, on the loth of December, in all the Dioceses and Religious Congregations of Italy and the adjacent isles. Moreover, by the same Decree he grants permission for the extending of the festival to all other Dioceses and Religious Congregations, on its being applied for by the Ordinaries. The Pontiff expressly grounds the granting of this favour on the acknowledged pre-eminence of the Loreto Sanctuary, it being. as the preamble states. II the House itself-translated from Palestine by the ministry of Angels-in which was born the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in which the Word was made flesh." In view of this decisive pronouncement of the reigning Pontiff as to the peculiar sanctity of the Loreto Shrine, it is hoped that the following account of that peculiarly sacred shrine and of its wondrous history, on which the writer has been engaged for several years, will be welcomed by many, and especially by those to whom the attacks of critics on the Holy House have given pain. The groundlessness of those attacks, and the solidity of the foundation on which the Loreto tradition rests, are here, he trusts, made plain. It was a special encouragement to him in his pursuance of the work to receive, through his Superior, the blessing on it of the late saintly Pope Pius X., a few weeks before his death. In obedience to the Decrees of Pope Urban VIII. he unreservedly submits what he has written to the judgment of the Holy See, especially with reference to the mentioning of any occurrence as miraculous.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, History

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1917

About the author

Godfrey Edward Phillips (1878 - 1961)

Reviews

[Loretta]

Struggled to read this short book on The House of the Virgin Mary. Lots of repetitive information which made my enjoyment wane. Did learn some small things but not enough to say “hey, this was a great book and I need to recommend to my Goodread friends”. 😕

[Katarzyna Balutowski]

The history was good. Old school shots fired style of historical writing. It is a great example of historical debate on paper. However unless you are really into Our Lady of Loreto or Catholic history I wouldn't recommend this book. Most of this is an attempt to defend the story of the Loreto house from skeptics.

[Christine]

Rather heavy on the attempt to scientifically/historically convince the reader of the validity of the miracle. While, that was impressive and great to learn, I had been hoping for a book that just taught more about the miracle as well as further miracles that have taken place regarding the Holy House.

[Jennifer Kirchoff]

Great beginning, really boring middle and okay end.