We had been driving down the western Italian coast towards Loreto that summer evening. We had never been to Loreto before, and we hoped it would be easy to find as evening turned into night. Our nerves were instantly soothed when we saw a beautiful basilica radiating light from it's mountain ridge. Instantly, I smiled. Like any good mother, Mary had left the light on for her children who were arriving late.
The next morning we awoke anxious to discover the Basilica dell Santa Casa, the home of the Virgin Mary. The basilica was very, very beautiful. As you walked into the basilica the sides of the church were adorned with numerous pictures of saints all in large gold frames. Again, I was not surprised that Mary would have pictures of all her children on display. The duomo of this basilica was absolutely amazing with breathtaking murals. The most endearing part of the basilica, of course, was in the center- the home of the Virgin Mary and later the Holy Family. Legend states that the house was carried by angels from Nazareth to avoid destruction during the Holy Wars.
I slowly stepped inside the home with great reverence. It was an honor to be within the walls of this holy home. Imagine what these walls had witnessed and encompassed-family meals, conversations, jokes, and prayer. I felt joy and peace as I reached out and touched the walls that had been a witness to so much. At one end of the room there was an ebony statue of Mary and baby Jesus. I knelt before the statue and allowed the wonder of Mary to fill my heart. Ave Maria!
-Susan
