Vatican Museum: Beauty that Unites! 57
Antonio of the Massaro from Viterbo, nicknamed the Pastura; The Virgin gives St. Thomas the Cincture; St. Gregory's Mass; St. Jerome the Penitent; 1497. Vatican Museums, Vatican Museum, Art Gallery, ©MuseiVaticani
O Virgin, beautiful as the moon, delight of heaven,
upon whose face gaze the blessed and shine the angels,
help us, your children, to resemble you.
May our souls receive a ray of your beauty, which never dims with the years,
but which shines throughout eternity.
O Mary, sun of heaven, awaken life wherever death reigns and enlighten spirits wherever shadows encroach.
As a mirror in your children from on high, allow us a reflection of your light and zeal.
O Mary, strong as an army, give our troops victory.
We are weak, and our enemy wounds with much pride.
But under your banner we feel assured of our victory over him;
he knows the strength of your heel and fears the majesty of your gaze.
Save us, O Mary, beautiful as the moon, radiant as the sun,
strong as an army arrayed in battle, upheld not by hate but by the flame of love.
May it be thus.”
(Pope Pius XII – Prayer to the Virgin – 17 January 1956)
Under the direction of Paolo Ondarza
#BeautyThatUnites
Instagram: @vaticanmuseums @VaticanNews
Facebook: @vaticannews
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
