A busy week of engagements has concluded, with the Simulacrum of the Loreto Virgin being the centrepiece in the Ionian region. In particular, on Sunday 2nd February, Holy Mass was celebrated by H.E. Mons. Filippo Santoro, Archbishop of Taranto, at the parish of the Holy Spirit. The following day, the Statue of the Virgin reached the Volunteers’ School, where the parish priest of the Holy Spirit church, Don Martino Mastrovito, celebrated Holy Mass for the staff and some Veterans' and Arms Associations.
After a stop at the 114th Auxiliary Depot of Francavilla Fontana (BR), the Blessed Virgin reached the “Santissima Annunziata” hospital, as “A mother visiting her children, certainly not empty-handed, but with all the love and help possible, especially for those who are suffering.“, as highlighted by Don Filippo Urso, the hospital chaplain.
On Thursday 6th February, the Sacred Effigy visited the 16th “Force Protection” Wing of Martina Franca and the 65th Territorial Depot of Taranto. For the occasion, a procession was organised which brought the Virgin to the Monument to the Fallen, erected in honour of the crew of the HH-3F helicopter of the 15th Wing which crashed in France in 2008.
Also significant was the visit to the Taranto Prison, where Monsignor Giovanni Tonucci, Archbishop Prelate of Loreto and pontifical delegate for the Holy House Sanctuary, celebrated Holy Mass. The event was attended by Colonel Leo, Commander of the Volunteer School, and by the airmen from the Institute who “escorted” the Holy Virgin throughout the week.
On Sunday 9th February, at the Holy Spirit parish, Mgr Tonucci celebrated Holy Mass, in the presence of Air Force General Franco Girardi, Commander of the Air Force Schools Command/3rd RA, and numerous civil and military authorities, including Colonel Vito Cracas, Commander of the 36th Wing of Gioia del Colle, Colonel Roberto Leo, Colonel Andrea Marradi, Commander of the 16th Wing of Martina Franca, and many faithful who had come from all over the diocese.
In the evening, as they traversed the city streets, a stirring torchlight procession of the faithful paid their final respects to the Madonna of Loreto.
