For two days my head hurt from trying to overcome all the confusion that reigned since news had reached us that the Prince of Melioria had gone missing. Now the bells of the church of S. Maria degli Angeli tolled slowly and gently through the nighttime mist, reverberating in every muscle of my body. Without thinking or deliberating further, I made my way up the hillside to the door of the church and entered.

The little church was empty. Only the votive candles beneath the sacred images gave any light, but this was enough for me. I knew the building by heart, and moved forward without stumbling.

As I knelt to pray, images of people filled my mind: the missing prince of Melioria and so many others who had been torn away from me by wars and floods! I collected all their faces in my memory and placed them in the hands of the beloved Savior, asking God to take care of each of them and all of them.

A candle flickered in front of my favorite image of Our Lady, Maria Santissima. I stood and went in front of that image and lit two more candles: one for Prospero and one for Rico. Please, Most Holy Mother of Jesus and my Mother, take care of my friends and me as we make our journey, I whispered.

My throat began to ache and tears stung my eyes. So many friends had disappeared since the floods in Venezia. I could do nothing for them. My big worry now was for my friends Rico Millefiori and Prospero Pastorelli. Rico was collecting gold from strange visitors and hearing voices in the chirping of the blue birds. Prospero was sneaking off to Fortune Tellers. That all felt wrong. If I had not been trying to keep away from dubious sea-captains and the like, I might have been stronger for my friends. I had failed them. Now I feared they were losing their faith and their hearts too. Please, Madonna Santissima, dont let Rico and Prospero stray off the good path, I prayed.

Just then I heard a soft voice in my ear. Can you help me light this candle, Fiorino?

It was Rico!

Whoa, Rico, you startled me! I exclaimed.

I come to ask Maria Santissima to help us during our journey, he said, and placed the unlit candle next to the others. I ask her to keep us safe and keep us from the hands of evil people.

I lit his candle and placed it with the others. Before I could turn around, I heard another voice saying: Fantastic, Fiorino! Please light my candles too.

It was Prospero!

Oh, how glad I am to see you here, Prospero, I said, and placed his candles on the little shelf in front of the image of the Holy Mother and Child. What a good surprise!

Certainly, carissimo, what do you think? We need many blessings for our safe return home, he said.

Ah, Prospero, amico mio, I am so happy to hear you speak of blessings instead of fortunes on this night before we leave, I grinned. I am very happy.

Rico laughed, then he helped me to light the new candles that Prospero brought. When we had finished, we stepped back, and Rico led us in the song:

Salve Regina, Mater misericordi. Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve! *

[ To be continued ]

*Rico intones the traditional hymn that concludes night prayer, the Salve Regina, or Hail Holy Queen. This hymn to the Mother of Mercy centers around this petition: Pray for us, o Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.