Our Lady of Gibilmanna

Marian vocation of Cephalù (Sicily)

The consultation documentation clearly contains the devotion to the Madonna of Gibilmanna en Cefalù (Sicily, Italy)whose cappuccino sanctuary is one of the most important on the island and whose image is patron of the diocese of Cephalù. Instead, there is no official advocation in verifiable sources under the title "Nuestra Señora de Gibilmanna" linked to Cefalù, department of Sicily, Colombianor a Colombian Marian sanctuary with that name in the diocese of Italian origin.

Main data

Origin and history

The consultation documentation clearly contains the devotion to the Madonna of Gibilmanna en Cefalù (Sicily, Italy)whose cappuccino sanctuary is one of the most important on the island and whose image is patron of the diocese of Cephalù. Instead, there is no official advocation in verifiable sources under the title "Nuestra Señora de Gibilmanna" linked to Cefalù, department of Sicily, Colombianor a Colombian Marian sanctuary with that name in the diocese of Italian origin.

According to the Sicilian traditionthe veneration of the Virgin of Gibilmanna would have roots bizantinas, related to ancient monasteries in the area of the Madonna (Sicily), where a Marian image in an elevated place of prayer and retreat would have been venerated from the altomedieval era. This tradition links the advocation with the Greek monastic presence and the continuity of Marian devotion in the region. It does not contain a tradition of its own and differentiated for a homonymous advocation in Colombia.

As regards documented historythe sanctuary of the Virgin of Gibilmanna, in the territory of the diocese of Cephalù (Italy), is attested as a place of Marian devotion important since the Modern Age and, in the most recent time, has been consolidated as Marian centre of the Madonna and patron of the city and diocese of Cefalù (Italy). There are no ecclesial documents, diocesan Colombian records or Catholic press articles that demonstrate a history of "Our Lady of Gibilmanna" as a canonically recognized advocation in Cefalù (Sicily, Colombia). Therefore, everything concerning a specific Colombian origin of this advocation no consta in verifiable sources.

The image and the sanctuary

Para la imagen original venerada en Italia, various sources describe a old style Marian image, linked to Byzantine traditions, although in many cases reformed or framed in a later artistic context. However, the public access sources consulted do not provide sufficiently accurate and consistent data on material, author, exact date and specific iconographic details which can be cited with scientific rigour; therefore, these data are considered no constatables in this context.

El Sanctuary of the Virgin of Gibilmanna in Sicily (Italy) is a Marian sanctuary historically attended by fresh capuchinos, located in the mountains of the Madonnain the diocese of Cephalù. He is recognized as one of the main Marian shrines of Sicily and a place of great influx of pilgrims. The fact that the temple is a minor basilica is not recorded in the consulting documentation; it is primarily designated as Marian sanctuary. As regards Colombia, does not contain an officially recognized cappuccino sanctuary under the title "Our Lady of Gibilmanna" in Cefalù (Sicily, Colombia) in diocesan directories or official sources.

Sponsorship and coronation

La Madonna of Gibilmanna is recognized as patron of the city and diocese of Cephalù in Sicily (Italy)where his sanctuary is the main focus of Marian devotion. This patronage is linked to the religious history of the Madonna region and to the centrality of the sanctuary in the spiritual life of the diocese.

As for a homonymous advocation in Cephalù, Department of Sicily, Colombia, no consta in diocesan, national or Catholic press sources officially declared patronage (whether from municipality, diocese or region) under the title "Our Lady of Gibilmanna." There are also no verifiable data on a canonical coronation of an image with this title in Colombia. Therefore, with editorial rigour, it should be stated:

> Canon coronation: there is no documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

In the Sicilian sanctuary, the feast of Madonna di Gibilmanna is traditionally celebrated around the beginning of September; different sources point to festive celebrations and pilgrimages at that time, linked to the local Marian calendar. The indication of "first Sunday of September" as a holiday date is consistent with the Sicilian devotional context, but there is no clearly accessible official source that accurately confirms itso, from a strict documentary point of view, it should be considered as date not fully verified.

In Sicily (Italy), devotion to the Virgin of Gibilmanna is expressed in pilgrimages to the sanctuary, solemn Eucharistic celebrations and popular manifestations of faith, typical of the great Marian shrines. It is especially invoked as a protector of the diocese and of the faithful who live in the mountainous region of the Madonna. For the case of Colombia (Cefalù, Department of Sicily), no data of influx, organized pilgrimages or specific popular traditions which are closely linked to this advocation in verifiable ecclesial or journalistic sources.

Link to the Rosary

In the sources consulted on the Shrine of Gibilmanna and devotion to Madonna di Gibilmanna there is no specific or institutionalized relationship with the prayer of the Rosary (for example, the Rosary's cofradies erected in the sanctuary, particular indulgences linked to the Rosary or official titles such as "the Rosary"). Devotion is rather a great general Marian focus of the diocese of Cephalù.

However, in contemporary Catholic spirituality, every Marian sanctuary - especially those with strong historical roots, such as that of Gibilmanna in Sicily - is a place where the Rosario occupies a central place as contemplative prayer of the mysteries of Christ with Mary, recommended by the Magisterium and by the tradition of the Church. Although there is no explicit mention of the Rosary in the documented history of the advocation, the prayer of the Rosary naturally harmonizes with this devotion: allows us to meditate, together with the Virgin of Gibilmanna, on the life of Christ, to ask for his protection over the diocesan Church and the pilgrims, and to keep alive the grateful memory of God's action in history, both in Sicily (Italy) and in any community that, inspired by this advocation, wishes to honor the Mother of God.