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Spirituality of St. Anthony Zaccaria
Mary Mother of Divine Providence
History of Devotion to Mother of Divine Providence
Our Lady, Mother of Divine
The devotion to Our Lady, Mother of Divine Providence is intimately connected to the history of the first Barnabite house in
In 1611, during the construction of the
A second event also influenced the origins of the devotion to Our Lady, Mother of Divine Providence. In 1659, forced to abandon their second house in
The title, Mother of Divine Providence, perhaps seemed new to the faithful of
From their beginnings, both the Barnabites and the Angelic Sisters promoted devotion to the Blessed Mother. For their Holy Founder, St. Anthony’s ardent love for Christ could not be separated from a filial devotion toward the Blessed Mother which he learned from his mother, Antonietta Pescaroli, a widow at 19, and a truly remarkable Christian mother. He recommended to his followers that, to advance in religious perfection, they were to honor and love this dear Mother, the Queen of Angels.
In 1732, the Roman people started to venerate the beautiful image of Our Lady, Mother of Divine Providence, placed on the altar of a chapel in the
A few years later Pope Benedict XIV approved a special liturgy in her honor and the institution of a confraternity. From then on, many Popes from Pius VII to John Paul II offered a personal homage of their piety to Our Lady of Divine Providence. Today, the love for Mary, Mother of Divine Providence, is characteristic of the Barnabite Fathers and the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul. In every part of the world they dedicate churches, chapels, altars and houses to her honor. The Feast of Mary, Mother of Divine Providence is celebrated the Saturday before the third Sunday of November. Several other religious institutes also observe this memorial, to mention one, the Sisters of Our Lady of Providence, who was founded in 1832 by Father Thomas Manini, a Barnabite Father.
Prayer To Mother of Divine Providence
Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of Divine Providence, protect our life and sanctify us with the gift of grace. Obtain for us from the Father of mercy and the God of consolation pardon for our sins, reconciliation with our brothers and sisters, and comfort in the midst of afflictions. Renew our hearts that they may become worthy dwelling places of your Divine Son, Jesus. Help us in our struggles against mediocrity, self-seeking, and pride so we can generously serve our neighbor. We entrust ourselves to you, O Mary, in our pilgrimage in this world. We invoke you as our guide and our defense against dangers. In the present tribulations, give us secure refuge. O Sweet Mother of Divine Providence, turn your eyes toward us, you who are our hope on earth. Grant that we may have you as our Mother in the glory of heaven. Amen.
Little Antonio learns, from his mother, devotion to Our Lady
“The following little incidents show us the tendency of the child to piety and his goodness of heart.
In his home there was a small chapel with an altar of the Madonna. Our Antonio delighted in adorning it with festive decorations or otherwise, according to his own devotion or the feast celebrated by the church.
Here he used to come with his mother for morning and night prayers and often passed long hours of the day, and a part also of the night, in devout recollection. The more the love of Go d increased in his heart, the more, also, increased in him the desire to draw all hearts to God. From the desire to the act, in an ardent soul like his, was but the work of a moment; so our child soon became a little apostle. He took great delight in listening to the word of God and meditating on it. It is related of him, that on his return from church he would gather the servants and others in the house into the little chapel and there, not through a childish whim, but seriously, and from his heart, burning with the love of God, he would repeat the truths he had heard in the church, and had meditated on himself. His words bore good fruit, for his hearers went away deeply touched and filled with admiration. Future Apostle! Let us see whether that age of pride and immorality will be able to overthrow the plans of this new Apostle when he is grown up!”
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