Marian devotion
Where is he?
The Madonna delle Ghiaie chapel is in Ghiaie di Bonate, Bonate Sopra, Bergamo province (Lombardy, Italy). The place is known today in the diocese as the chapel of Mary Queen of the Family.
Documented history
In May 1944, Adelaide Roncalli, seven, claimed to have had experiences that were presented as apparitions of the Virgin. The diocesan documentation contains a commission created in that context and the 1948 decree of Adriano Bernareggi. In 2019, Bishop Francesco Beschi announced the authorization of the cult to "Maria Regina della Familia" in the chapel, excluding any cultural reference to messages, apparitions and other phenomena of alleged supernatural nature.
Tradition
The local tradition speaks of 13 alleged apparitions between 13 and 31 May 1944. They are statements of a witness and must be distinguished from the ecclesial decision about the phenomenon.
Legend
Popular accounts of solar phenomena are not part of a favourable ecclesial decision. It is not clear that the Church has recognized these details as supernatural facts.
Ecclesial State
Not pronounced on supernatural. The Diocese of Bergamo maintains the Not found of Adriano Bernareggi on the apparitions of 1944. The veneration authorized since 2019 refers to "Maria Regina della Familia" and excludes references to apparitions and messages; it does not amount to approving them.
Anecdotes and stories
The case shows the difference between authorizing a concrete Marian devotion and declaring supernatural the origin of an apparition. Both issues are expressly separated in the diocesan communication.
Prayer
Mary, Queen of the Family, pray for families who seek to live in truth, peace and fidelity. Intercede before Jesus Christ that we may learn to serve and forgive ourselves. Amen.
Sources
Diocese of Bergamo, authorization of the cult of Maria Regina della Famiglia; Diocese of Bergamo, Maria Regina della Familia; OpenStreetMap, capilla de la Madonna delle Ghiaie.
Documented extension
The page of the Diocese of Bergamo describes that Adelaide Roncalli, seven, began to refer to apparitions in Ghiaie di Bonate in May 1944 and that the visions were repeated thirteen times. The diocesan presentation summarizes the issues of prayer, penance, peace and spiritual well-being of families, and notes that, despite the context of war, the place soon received faithful seeking hope and comfort. This is the pastoral description of the diocese; it does not therefore become an independent test of supernatural.
The ecclesial decision of 13 February 2019 keeps two realities separate. After the conclusion of the procedure and following the indications received from the Holy See, the Bishop of Bergamo authorized, valued, guarded and accompanied the cult of "Maria Regina della Famiglia" in the parish chapel. The same communication expressly excluded any cultual reference to messages, apparitions and other phenomena of alleged supernatural nature, and reaffirmed the Not found by Monsignor Adriano Bernareggi on the apparitions of 1944.
The current diocesan page identifies the place as Marian sanctuary and offers pastoral reception data, such as Sunday confessions, annual opening, accessibility and parking. These data describe the life of the place and the authorized veneration; they do not change the ecclesial state of the apparitions, which remains unpronounced in this document.
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