Our Lady of Loreto

The title Our Lady of Loreto is associated with the Holy House of Loreto in Italy. The house believed to have been miraculously transported from Nazareth to Europe by angels. St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, built a basilica over the house. In 1090, the basilica was destroyed but the house remained intact. Another basilica was built, and it was again destroyed, but the Holy House was intact. Today a great basilica contains the house of the Holy Family. Above the altar inside the Holy House is an ancient statue of Our Lady holding the Infant Jesus. The statue is the origin of the title Our Lady of Loreto. Pope Francis added the feast for Our Lady of Loreto in 2019.