The Supplica to the Queen of the Holy Rosary, composed by Bartolo Longo in 1883, continues to be a moment of profound spirituality for thousands of pilgrims. Every year on May 8 and the first Sunday of October, the faithful gather before the shrine of Pompeii to recite this prayer together. Father Salvatore Sorrentino, director of the Historical Archive of the shrine, emphasizes that this supplication still touches hearts today because it addresses universal needs: the request for peace, healing, and comfort.
The prayer was born in a difficult period for the Church and society, marked by social and spiritual tensions. Pope Leo XIII, with his encyclical Supremi Apostolatus Officio, had invited Catholics to rediscover the Rosary as a weapon against the evils of the time. Bartolo Longo, committed to building the shrine of Pompeii, saw in that invitation a divine sign and composed the Supplica as a personal and communal response.
“The Supplica – explains Father Sorrentino – was born as a prayer, as a request to the Blessed Virgin for spiritual and material graces. It is a cry of the heart that crosses the centuries.”
The Historical Context: Leo XIII and the Rosary
On September 1, 1883, Pope Leo XIII published the encyclical Supremi Apostolatus Officio, in which he indicated the Rosary as a sure instrument for obtaining the spiritual good of society and the Church. The Pontiff was concerned about the “grave calamities” afflicting the world and saw in Marian prayer a means to obtain peace and the conversion of hearts.
Bartolo Longo, founder of the shrine of Pompeii, enthusiastically accepted that invitation. On September 23, he sent a telegram to the Pope to thank him and assure him that the encyclical would be an encouragement for the October feast and for the construction of the temple. The Supplica was recited for the first time on October 14, 1883, during the feast of the Rosary.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Supplica
The Supplica is not just a request for material favors, but an act of trusting abandonment into the hands of Mary. Bartolo Longo, after a youth marked by spiritual crises, found in the Virgin of the Rosary a mother and a guide. His prayer reflects a journey of conversion and hope.
Father Sorrentino recalls that “Longo was a man of God, attentive to the needs of the people. The Supplica was born from an inner struggle, but also from the desire to give voice to those who suffer.”
A Prayer for All Christians
Although born in a Catholic context, the Supplica has an ecumenical value. Its invocation to Mary as Queen of Peace and Mother of Mercy resonates in many Christian hearts. In an age of division, this prayer unites the faithful in a single voice of supplication.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
The Supplica, in fact, expresses the desire for justice and peace that dwells in every believer. It is a prayer that knows no boundaries.
The Supplica Today
In 2025, the Supplica continues to be recited with devotion. The figure of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, and the election of Pope Leo XIV have rekindled interest in the Rosary prayer. The new Pontiff, in his first message, invited the faithful to rediscover the Rosary as a prayer for peace in the world.
Father Sorrentino observes that “the Supplica is very timely because it responds to today’s needs: fear of wars, economic uncertainty, loneliness. The Virgin listens to the cry of her children.”
How to Pray the Supplica
The Supplica is traditionally recited on May 8 and the first Sunday of October, but it can be prayed at any time. Here is a brief guide:
- Prepare your heart with a moment of silence and recollection.
- Pray the mysteries of the Rosary corresponding to the day.
- At the end, recite the Supplica with faith and devotion.
The Supplica is a gift for all Christians, a prayer that unites us as a family around Mary. May her intercession obtain for us the peace we so long for.
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