The devotion to Our Lady of Loreto, associated with the protection of aviators and all who travel by air, originates from one of Christianity's most well-known Marian traditions: that of the Holy House of Nazareth.
According to Catholic belief, this was the house where the Virgin Mary lived and the Annunciation occurred, having been miraculously transported from the Holy Land to Italy in the late 13th century. Tradition places the arrival of the Holy House in Loreto, in Italy's Marche region, in 1294.
The direct association with aviation emerged in the 20th century, when Pope Benedict XV proclaimed Our Lady of Loreto the patron saint of aviators in 1920. The invocation extended to crews, passengers, and professionals linked to the aeronautical sector.
The liturgical celebration of Our Lady of Loreto is observed on December 10th. More than a religious reference, Our Lady of Loreto remains a symbol of trust and hope for those who travel by air.