While many of us take air travel for granted, there was a time in the not too distant past when air travel…..especially for everyday people….was considered a novelty. By the end of World War II the commercial airline industry was still in its infancy, but there were signs that it might one day become more commonplace. I doubt that anyone watching one of the World War I biplanes could envision today’s wide-bodied jets carrying hundreds of people to all corners of the world.
On March 24, 1920 Pope Benedict XV approved a blessing of an airplane at the request of several pioneers of aviation and proclaimed Our Lady of Loreto as Patroness of all air navigators. The choice of Our Lady of Loreto was no doubt made due to the mysterious transfer of the Holy House from the Holy Land to Loreto, Italy….supposedly by angels.
The blessing went as follows:
God, who made all things for your glory, yet destined every lower being in this world for man’s service, we beg you to bless + this airplane (these airplanes). Let it (them) serve to carry far and wide the fame and glory of your name, and in expediting more speedily the affairs of mankind without loss and accident. And let it (them) foster in the souls of all the faithful who travel in it (them) a longing for the things above; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
Then the blessing turns to the patron saint of aviation, Our Lady of Loreto. It recalls the miraculous “lift off” of the Virgin Mary’s house in Nazareth to the forests of Loreto, Italy. In doing so, the blessing calls upon her intercession to protect all those who fly on the airplane.
God, who by the mystery of the incarnation mercifully consecrated the dwelling-place of the blessed Virgin Mary, and wondrously transferred it to the heart of your Church; we beg you to pour out your blessing + on this airplane (these airplanes), so that all who fly in it (them) may, under the protection of the Blessed Virgin, happily reach their destination and then safely return home; through Christ our Lord.
Many prayers have been written for safe travel. One we have recently found was attributed to Pope Saint John Paul II. As you know, he became the most traveled Pope in history with over 100 trips outside Italy, plus many others within Italy.
Pope John Paul II visited Loreto on September 8, 1979 and this prayer was attributed to him (we are looking for confirmation that he was indeed the author):
Almighty God and Father, who pass by like a breeze, and to whose glory the heavens narrate, we bless you and glorify you in all your works because in your infinite wisdom you have entrusted to mankind the task of achieving marvelous and great wonders.
Hear our prayer, which we address to you through the intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Loreto.
The planes which go forth to the heavens spread your praise further in to space and serve men to carry on their arduous labours more rapidly.
Your blessing brings to pilots, technicians and their assistants wisdom and prudence to operate in order that those who travel by air, after having overcome all obstacles and difficulties, can happily reach their eternal home.
Through Christ Our Lord, Amen
John Paul II
Loreto, Sept 8, 1979