The first half of the 20th century saw rapid progress in the realm of transportation. Not only was the automobile invented, but the Wright Brothers pioneered their first flight on December 17, 1903.
As technology was further developed, many pioneers of aviation sent a request to Pope Benedict XV. Pope Benedict XVI explains in an address in 2010 how his predecessor proclaimed Our Lady of Loreto the patroness of aviators.
This proclamation was connected to a special blessing of airplanes that was approved at the time. It included a special reference to Our Lady of Loreto.
All of these references are connected to the pious tradition that the house of the Virgin Mary in Nazareth, where she conceived Jesus Christ, was miraculously transported through the air to Loreto, Italy.
Our Lady of Loreto, pray for all airplane pilots and all those involved with aviation!
