Kathy Schiffer on Edgar Allan Poe’s Hymn to Our Blessed Mother

"Did you know that Edgar Allen Poe once penned a hymn to Our Lady?

"Poe, the tortured poet of the American Romantic Movement, is best known for his stories of mystery and the macabre – stories like 'The Pit and the Pendulum' and 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' and famous narrative poems like 'The Raven' and 'Annabel Lee.' . . .

"But amidst the haunting poetry and prose which characterize the work of the troubled artist, one poem stands alone as evidence of his spiritual hunger.

"Poe wrote 'Hymn' after a noon-time stop into a church staffed by the Jesuits. While walking along the noisy street, Poe heard the clear ringing of a church bell. 'Why,' he wondered, 'would the bell be ringing at this time of day?' A Jesuit explained that the bell rang at noon, as well as at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., to call the faithful to pray the Angelus, the prayer which reflects on the Incarnation of Christ and on Mary's 'fiat,' her 'yes' to the announcement of the archangel Gabriel

In a recent commentary, writer Kathy Schiffer reflected on Poe's poetic response to this experience.

To access Ms. Schiffer’s complete post, please visit:

Seasons of Grace: Edgar Allan Poe’s Hymn to Our Lady (24 JAN 15)