OUR LADY OF GRACE

Day 287: February 23

Our Lady of Grace or of St Christopher Pennabili, Pesaro, Marche, Italy



The devotion to Our Lady of Grace, venerated in the ancient parish church of St Christopher, is linked to highly reported interventions in favor of the city. On February 23, 1517, the venerated Image appeared surrounded by light on the city walls, to put to flight the Florentine militias who wanted to devastate the city. The same prodigy was renewed on February 23, five years later, in 1522.

It was March 20, the third Friday of the month, in 1489, when the image of Our Lady of Grace was seen shedding tears from her right eye, in the presence of all the people. Word of the prodigy spread in a flash. Everyone ran to see, everyone shouted a miracle. In memory of the fact, the Confraternity of Our Lady of Graces was established that same year, whose acts begin with the authentic account of the prodigy, drawn up by order of Monsignor Celso Mellini, bishop of Montefeltro, and signed by fourteen eyewitnesses. This is also confirmed by the Latin inscription, which was read at the top of the sacred chapel, before it was covered with the rear ornaments. 

The same is said by another inscription of 1631 in gold letters on a black background, which can be read on the right side of the altar, above the architrave. It also speaks of the two apparitions and victories of February 23, 1517 and 1522. The fact is therefore indisputable. Almost all the historians of Penne speak of it (Mastini, Magnani, Zucchi Travagli, Mattei Gentili, P. Besi); and others not from Penne, such as Guerrieri and Vanzi.


St Justin Russolillo Writes...

"We unite ourselves to you, O Mary, to the Saints and to the Angels of Calvary, to the Altar of every Sacrifice and we salute you on behalf of the Blessed Trinity, Full of Grace in the Mystery of your Co-Redeeming compassion at the foot of the Cross of your Divine Son, Jesus."

(Justin Russolillo, Spirit of Prayer, trans. Louis Caputo, Vocationist Fathers, Newark, 1996, p. 158)

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