(Pro aliquibus locis)
In the fourth century, the emperor Constantine had a great basilica built over the site of the Holy House of Nazareth, in which Our Lady, St Joseph and the child Jesus had lived, and where the Annunciation took place. This Basilica was destroyed by the Saracens when they invaded the Holy Land, but the House itself was left under the ruins of the Basilica.
On May 10, 1291, the Holy House of Nazareth was lifted from its foundations by angels, and transported out of the Holy Land, to Dalmatia to a small town called Tersatto. It was further carried by angels on December 10th 1294, to a place in Italy about 4 miles from Recanati. It was further transported to where it now stands, and it is a place of pilgrimage.
Terrible is this place: it is the house of God, and the gate of heaven; and shall be called the court of God. * How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.
(Genesis 28:17 and Psalm 83:2-3, from the Introit of Mass)
Deus, qui beátae Maríae Vírginis domum per incarnáti Verbi mystérium misericórditer consecrásti, eámque in sinu Ecclésiae tuae mirabíliter collocásti: concéde; ut, segregáti a tabernáculis peccatórum, digni efficiámur habitatóres domus sanctae tuae.
O God, Who in Thy mercy didst hallow the house of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the incarnation of Thy Word, and hast wondrously given unto the same a resting-place in the midst of Thy Church, grant us the grace to be cut off from the tents of wickedness, and made worthy to dwell in Thine holy house.
(Collect)
Catholic Encyclopaedia on the Holy House of Loreto: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13454b.htm
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