A Significant Day – May 8, 2025

A Significant Day! Yes, May 8, 2025 the “Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii” and the “Feast Day of St. Michael” both were celebrated today.

May 8, 2025 – a day that we shall all remember as well for the “Conclave of Cardinals” on their second day in seclusion chose “Cardinal Robert Prevost” to be the next Pope succeeding Pope Francis.  He will be known as “Pope Leo XIV” and is the first Pope ever from the United States.

In this blog, I will try my best to connect the dots so to speak and to explain to you why May 8th, 2025 is so significant for the nomination of Pope Leo XIV.

Where Were You?

Where were you when the “white smoke” billowed out of the chimney of the Vatican?  That’s a question that is always asked when something dramatic happens in the world.  We all remember when something happens traumatic in our lives whether it be good or whether it be bad. We always, always remember where we were.

Today, I was in the kitchen cleaning up after a friend whom I had breakfast with.  I heard my phone do the “beep beep” and knew I had received texts.  Two friends were notifying me that “white smoke” was billowing out of the Vatican chimney into an immense sky of blue.

Excitement!  Yikes as I say!

I immediately left my post at the kitchen sink and went directly to the T.V. to see what was happening!

“A Significant Day” was unfolding before my eyes and I was caught up with the “rays of sunshine beams” pouring out over the people waiting in the square.

They had been waiting as we were all waiting.  We were “waiting in prayer”. . .and trusting in the Lord and His Holy Spirit.  He did not disappoint on such a beautiful Feast Day of St. Michael and Our Lady of Pompeii!  God is certainly in charge and we are not!

Listening to See

“Listening to See” is a favorite expression of mine but it is so “telling!”  As I sat watching, I listened to the commentators talk on and on.  They spoke about who they thought the next Pope could possibly be.  Somehow, I was still “stuck” on the Feast Day of St. Michael and Our Lady of Pompeii coinciding with this newly elected Cardinal made Pope. Much seemed to be swirling around in my mind. . .one of them being . . .

Dare Alla Luce – our prayer group – has been doing a 54 Day Rosary Novena.  Some of us are praying the “traditional” 54 day with one rosary per day.

However, there are about 20 of us praying the prayers of “Blessed Bartolo Longo” and three rosaries per day which is a little more intensive to say the least!  It’s called “a spiritual nuclear bomb!” by an exorcist priest.  It sure seems those words match their meaning!

Blessed Bartolo Longo had been a consecrated satanic priest and had one “mighty” conversion!  Hence – mighty are his prayers!

Sounds crazy doesn’t it. . .but read on!

Blessed Bartolo Longo

Yes, you read the above words correctly!  He was a satanic priest in the 1800’s and in one of his most darkest moments, he heard his deceased father – Dr. Bartholomew Longo beg him to “Return to God!  Return to God.”  That message did not fall on deaf ears and Bartolo was converted dramatically by a Dominican priest named Father Alberto.  Bartolo wrote the following in his memoirs:

“One day in the fields around Pompeii, I recalled my former condition as a priest of Satan. . .I thought that perhaps as the priesthood of Christ is for eternity, so also the priesthood of Satan is for eternity.  So, despite my repentance, I thought I am still consecrated to Satan, and I am still his slave and property as he awaits me in Hell.  As I pondered over my condition, I experienced a deep sense of despair and almost committed suicide.  Then I heard an echo in my ear of the voice of Friar Alberto repeating the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

 

Reach for the Rosary

Our Lady said:

“One who propagates my Rosary shall be saved.”

Addressing the Blessed Mother – Bartolo tells us the following:

“Falling to my knees, I exclaimed – “If your words are true that he who propagates your Rosary will be saved, I shall reach salvation because I shall not leave this earth without propagating your Rosary!”  And so he was true to his word following many divine inspirations – one of them being – 

To begin the “Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary” and construct the “Pompeii Shrine” dedicating it to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary on

“May 8, 1876.”

The city of Pompeii that was destroyed into ashes on August 24, 79 AD – years later would become a place of the “miraculous.”

To quote from a book, entitled “54 Days that Will Change Your Life and Our World, by Blessed Bartolo and Gemma Christianson. . .

Gemma wrote:

“from a town buried in the filth of paganism,

arises a town full of life

drawing its origins from a new civilization brought by Christianity:  

The New Pompeii!”

The 54 Day Rosary Novena

The new Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii was completed in 1882.

Within the month, miraculous events began to take place at the Shrine . . .

Four healings were recorded, including the following:

“Fortuna Agrelli, a very young girl suffering three incurable diseases that most doctors had given up on, was joined by her family in saying a novena of Rosaries started on Feb. 16, 1884.

The Virgin Mary then appeared to her on March 3rd sitting upon a high throne, profusely decorated with flowers.  She held the Divine Child on her lap and a Rosary in her hand. Both were clad in gold-embroidered garments.  St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena accompanied them.  Fortuna asked Mary – as “the Queen of the Rosary” for a cure for herself.”

The Blessed Mother spoke to Fortuna as follows:

“You have invoked me by various titles and have always obtained favors from me.

Now, since you have called me by the title so pleasing to me, Queen of the Holy Rosary –

I can no longer refuse the favor that you petition –

For this name is most precious and dear to me.

Make three novenas and you will obtain all.

Mary appeared to her again and said:

Whoever desires to obtain favors from me should make

three novenas of the prayers of the Rosary in Petition

and three Novenas in Thanksgiving.”

 

Watching and Praying

You might be wondering why am I writing about a 54 Day Rosary Novena and how does this tie into the Pope’s election today!  Read on!!!

 Our prayer group began a “54 Day Rosary Novena” on “April 8th”  following an inspiration given by the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

It is 9 days x 3 times (in petition) totaling 27 days 

It is 9 days x 3 times (in thanksgiving) totaling 27 days 

When Pope Francis died on Easter Monday of April 21, 2025, we were only into 14 days of the Novena.  We still had another 13 to go for the “petitioning” part.  The “timing” seemed to manifest itself to us so strongly. We were already receiving “much grace” from the novena but there was something more.

Now, it seemed we were on a mission to pray intensely for the next Pope.

Joining the rest of the world, we were  praying to the Holy Spirit to empower the Cardinals to choose as Jesus would choose.

The “ten American Cardinals” were also lifted up in “alpha order” for a rosary daily.  We prayed for each one of them specifically with either the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries.

We even clicked on a link off the internet that would give us a name of a Cardinal to adopt until a new Pope was elected.

We were committed and moved onward and forward.  It was also “exciting” to know that the Feast of Our Lady of Pompeii was falling during this 54 Day Rosary Novena and that the election of the Pope was also coinciding with it.

Pope Leo XIII and St. Michael

There is still another Feast Day to speak of as well today. . .as well as “Pope Leo XIII” and our new Pope taking the name “Leo XIV”

St. Michael usually is remembered for having his Feast Day celebrated on September 29th.  However, we also celebrate his Feast Day on May 8th.

This date commemorates when St. Michael appeared in a series of apparitions at Mt. Gargano in Italy.  Not wanting to take too much time up in giving you all the history of these visitations, let us move on to Pope Leo XIII and his vision of St. Michael which is worth noting here.

The Vision

On October 13, 1884, Pope Leo XIII, turned pale and collapsed as though dead right after celebrating Mass.

After being attended to those standing by – he recounted a vision of Satan approaching the Throne of God and boasting  that he could destroy the Church.  The Pope would say that the Lord reminded him that “His Church” was imperishable.

Satan then replied, “Grant me one century and more power of those who will serve me, and I will destroy it.”  Our Lord granted him 100 years.

It was then that Pope Leo XIII would compose the prayer to St. Michael to be said after the Holy Mass!

When one thinks about this – October 13, 1884 was exactly 33 years “before” the “Miracle of the Sun” at Fatima.

That day the people were drenched by the heavy rains and as promised by Our Lady of Fatima – a miracle would occur.  The Sun seemed to leave its position in the sky – changing colors and spinning and then rushing towards earth.  It seemed to be the end of the world. . .but the Sun returned to its position and the people found themselves dried from head to toe.

Significant isn’t it. . .how all the dates match up and are more than coincidence!

Tolling Bells

This afternoon I just wanted to rejoice and pray and stay in the magnificence of the moment.  An added gift was that our Pastor – Fr. Tony Stanganelli chose to have “tolling bells” ring out for a good amount of time from our Church of St. Thomas.

As I sat praying – all I heard were the bells tolling – throughout our neighborhood.  I envisioned “tolling bells” throughout the world.  We weren’t left without a Shepherd.  We were blessed to receive one in two days.

Today was a significant date of May 8th.  It was “beauty” painted before our very eyes – by the Creator – if we had eyes to see.  It was those “sunbeams” being cast down upon the people as they cheered with joy at the white smoke billowing out of the chimney.  It was “rejoicing” – it was “tolling bells” within our hearts.

Rejoice – I Say Rejoice!

Our new Pope Leo XIV extended peace to us – his flock.  You could see the tears welling up in his eyes and he was choked up with emotions as the rest of us were.  He’s our new Pope! Let us Pray! Let us Rejoice!

Pope Leo XIV made reference in his speech that the world was celebrating the feast day of “Our Lady of Pompeii!

He called on “Her” intercession for the world.  Those words sent chills throughout my very self! Coincidence?  I don’t think so!!!!

The words of our new Pope were confirming our prayers!  The prayers that Dare Alla Luce were led into. . . that the world was led into “today!”

Cardinal Robert Prevost didn’t have to be elected today.  Yet – he was!

There was even a possible speculation that May 13th would be considered his installation day.  Another coincidence – Our Lady of Fatima Feast Day?

Let us rejoice – let us not “grade” this new Pope as some are doing already.

I heard that his mother was an Altar Rosary Society member!

Not impressive credentials to most but to Blessed Bartolo Longo, the Blessed Mother and those who love Her rosary – IT IS!

Let us all carry those same credentials – they are impeccable!

The Rosary works the “Miraculous!”  

It’s the Month of Mary!  Take up your Rosaries and pray for Pope Leo XIV!!!!

 

 

Our Prayers and Our Rosaries Will Continue for Pope Leo XIV’s Pontificate

Our Lady of The Most Holy Rosary of Pompeii – Pray For Us

Blessed Bartolo Longo – Pray for Us

St. Catherine of Siena and St. Dominic – Pray for Us

 

©2025 Anita Guariglia

Featured Image of Pope Leo XIV/ Vatican News Service

Photo Credits/ Pinterest and Instagram

Quotes from book “54 Days That Will Change Your Life and Our World”

Blessed Bartolo Longo and Gemma Christianson