Rare 17th c. Historical Calendar of the Feasts of the B.V.M. (Daily Posted in 2021)

(Jan) 16. Our Lady of Montserrat, in Spain, on this day, miraculously delivers several captives from the tyranny of the Turks. (Hist. Montiser.)

Image (click it to enlarge): Holy of Our Lady of Montserrat, patroness of Catalonia. 

The famous statue of Our Lady of Montserrat was carved by St. Luke c. 50 A.D., and eventually brought from Jerusalem to Spain. At one point it was stolen and hidden by the Moors [Muslims], but later miraculously rediscovered by shepherds and the Bishop of Manresa. The Bishop suggested that the statue be moved to Manresa, but it remained in Montserrat, as it became (supernaturally) too heavy for people to carry - which was seen as a clear sign it was meant to stay. The statue is housed in the Church of Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, Catalonia, Spain.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus named one of the islands that he discovered in the Caribbean after the renowned shrine. Also, St. Ignatius of Loyola went on pilgrimage to Montserrat after being wounded in war. Soon after visiting the mountain he wrote his famous "Spiritual Exercises". Along with Santiago de Compostela and Zaragoza, Montserrat ranks as one of the most important and famous pilgrimage sites in Spain. 

Related Link: St. Thomas Aquinas' Teaching Against The Infidel Mohammed 

Source: "Historical Calendar of the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, With the Foundations and Churches Dedicated to Her", from Abbé Orsini's work, "Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God", Imprimatur 1858 A.D.

(Jan) 15. Our Lady of the Porch, in Rome, where may be seen an image said to have been brought from heaven by an angel to the blessed Galla, widow of the Consul Symmachus. (Ex monument. S. Mariæ in Portic.)

Image (click it to enlarge): The sacred image [icon] of Our Lady, brought by an angel to Blessed Galla in 524 A.D., which is housed in one of the most famous Churches in Rome, the Santa Maria in Portico.

Through the ministry of an angel, the icon miraculously appeared in 524 to the blessed Galla, a Roman woman who was assisting Catholics that were stricken with the plague. An oratory or church was founded at the site, c. 525, under the papacy of John I. The structure was created to house this sacred icon of the Virgin Mary. The icon of the Madonna is small, about 9 inches high, and is of silver-gilt and champlevé enamel.

Note: The heavenly image of Our Lady of the Porch has been carried in processions since 590. It stopped the plague in Rome in 524 and protected the The Eternal City from a deadly earthquake in 1703.

Related Link: 
Stunning Painted Dome Ceiling of Santa Maria in Portico

Overview of 17th c. Historical Calendar of the Feasts of the B.V.M. 

Source: "Historical Calendar of the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, With the Foundations and Churches Dedicated to Her", from Abbé Orsini's work, "Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God", Imprimatur 1858 A.D.

(Jan) 14. Our Lady of Speech, near Montserrat, in Spain, so called because she is said to have restored his speech to a dumb man, A.D. 1514. (Balinghem in Calend.)

Image (click it to enlarge): Painting of "The Miracles of San Bernardino: The Healing of a Mute" by Pietro Perugino, 1473 A.D.

In the year 1514, Our Lady was venerated at a shrine near Montserrat, Spain. Her aid was invoked on behalf of a dumb man who went on pilgrimage there, and the Blessed Virgin miraculously restored his speech. From that time on she was given the title Our Lady of Speech.

Source: "Historical Calendar of the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, With the Foundations and Churches Dedicated to Her", from Abbé Orsini's work, "Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God", Imprimatur 1858 A.D.

(Jan) 13. Pius V. revises the little office of the Blessed Virgin, A.D. 1571. (Balinghem in Calend.)

Image (click it to enlarge): A page from the Hours [Little Office of the B.V.M.] from 1465 A.D., owned by Charles, Duke of Normandy and brother of King Louis XI. Note: be sure to zoom in the picture and see a priest offering the Holy Mass, in the center of the page, above Our Lady's head. What detail!

The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a shorter form of the Divine Office in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has long been the Church's daily liturgical prayer to Our Lady, and these hours of praise have been used by Priests, religious and the laity throughout the centuries. Lay people used to flock to the great Cathedrals to publicly recite The Little Office during the Middle Ages.

Related Link: The Life Story of Pope St. Pius V

Source: "Historical Calendar of the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, With the Foundations and Churches Dedicated to Her", from Abbé Orsini's work, "Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God", Imprimatur 1858 A.D.

(Jan) 12. Our Lady of the Rue Large in Rome, built on the spot where St. Paul lanquished for two years in chains, while he preached the Gospel and wrote several of his Epistles. (Trip. Cour., place quoted, nomb. 6.)

Image (click it to enlarge): Fresco painting of Christ between Sts Peter and Paul still extant within the Catacombs of Saints Marcellino and Pietro, Rome. 

Related Link: Picture of a Relic: Chain that Held St. Paul Captive

(Now housed in the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome)

Source: "Historical Calendar of the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin, With the Foundations and Churches Dedicated to Her", from Abbé Orsini's work, "Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God", Imprimatur 1858 A.D.