The Saint’s Devotion and the Promised Protection

On his way to Agnone in May 1608, SAINT FRANCIS CARACCIOLO visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto. He “went straight to the Holy House. As he entered, he burst into tears and sobbed with excessive joy and devotion due to his excessive joy and piety which enlarged his heart.

Then he contemplated the ineffable Mystery of Human Redemption……..and as night fell he could feel his heart pound. He did not know how to implore the guards for the grace to remain longer since they were giving him signs to leave for the night.

So he called upon Mary. One of the guards observed in Francis an extraordinary devotion and felt moved to allow him to stay that night in the Holy House. Stunned by this permission, Francis recognized this grace as inspired by Mary.

After thanking the guard, he remained there all night long in deep contemplation. Only God knows what and how many were the heavenly consolations, divine illustrations and the burning affections of the heart, which Francis Caracciolo experienced enclosed alone within the same walls that were the dwelling place of the great Mother of God and of the Incarnate Word? This can never be exactly described or understood by anyone. 

Francis Caracciolo was always reserved and guarded in revealing the divine favors; unless he judged it expedient to the greater glory of God and to the benefit of his neighbor, or through obedience. For this reason, he alone narrated the apparition of his Adoration, while he was fervently imploring the Patronage of the Virgin Mary for himself and for his Order.

While there, he received the assurance that the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor, (Adorno Fathers and Brothers), would always remain under Our Lady’s protection.

Compendio Storico della Vita e miracoli del Beato Francesco Caracciolo, 1769
Agostino Cencelli, CRM