Our Lady of Monte Berico

Marian Advocation of Vicenza (Veneto)

La of Our Lady of Monte Berico has its origin in the alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary to the peasant Winning (Vicenta) Pasini on the hill of Monte Berico, on the city of Vicenza (Veneto, Italy), in the context of a serious epidemic of plague in the early 15th century.

Main data

Origin and history

La of Our Lady of Monte Berico has its origin in the alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary to the peasant Winning (Vicenta) Pasini on the hill of Monte Berico, on the city of Vicenza (Veneto, Italy), in the context of a serious epidemic of plague in the early 15th century.

According to the tradition collected in local chronicles and in the call Codex of Monte Berico, the Virgin first appeared the 7 March 1426 and again the 1 August 1428, asking for the construction of a church in that place and promising the liberation of the city from the plague if his request was obeyed. The construction of the first temple would have begun August 25, 1428 and, always according to this tradition, the plague ceased almost completely from then on and disappeared at the end of the work.

From the perspective of the documented history, consists of the ancient Marian devotion in Monte Berico, the existence of the sanctuary since the 15th century and the consolidation of the veneration of Madonna di Monte Berico as a pilgrimage center in northeastern Italy. The figure of Vincenza Pasini and the dates of the apparitions are mainly transmitted by devotional and chronic pious sources, not by contemporary canonical documentation to the fact; therefore they are considered in the context of the traditionbut deeply rooted and assumed in the life of the sanctuary.

This fact sheet takes into account that the pastoral location referred to by the user is Vicenza (Veneto, Colombia)but the historical and devotional data come from sanctuary original de Monte Berico en Vicenza (Véneto, Italy)from which the advocation is derived.

The image and the sanctuary

The main image venerated in the shrine of Monte Berico is a marian emulsion known as Madonna di Monte Berico, representing the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus in maternal and protective attitude. Devotional sources highlight their character as image of grace linked to protection against plague and other calamities, but technical details (author, exact material, dimensions) are not clearly specified in the sources consulted; therefore, not accurately recorded the full description of your artistic support.

The place of worship is the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Monte Berico, also known as Basílica Sanctuary of the Madonna di Monte Berico, located on the hill that dominates the city of Vicenza (Italy). It is a sanctuarial complex that, over the centuries, has been expanded and embellished, to become one of the most important Marian shrines in northeastern Italy and a pilgrimage destination for many faithful each year. The temple rises in a dominant position over the city, visible from many points of Vicenza, and is recognized liturgical as basilica-santuary.

In the Colombian context (Vicenza, Veneto, Colombia), the advocation of Our Lady of Monte Berico is inspired by this sanctuary-basílica ItalianHowever, No specific details and verified on the type of image, materials or canonical title of the specific temple where it is venerated in that Colombian locality.

Sponsorship and coronation

According to tradition and liturgical praxis in Vicenza (Italy), Madonna di Monte Berico is patron of the city of Vicenza. In 1978, the Pope Pablo VI (according to the above-mentioned source, although the date corresponds to the pontificate of John Paul II; the available sources here show an apparent inconsistency) is mentioned as who officially proclaimed the Virgin of Monte Berico patron of the city, officializing the traditional "Festa dei Oto" as a patron celebration. Since accessible sources do not allow this data discrepancy to be resolved with certainty, the point indicated by the source is maintained, warning its possible chronological imprecision.

The advocation is also popularly invoked as "patron saint of the overcoming of pandemics"in memory of Vicenza's release from the plague associated with the apparitions.

As for the canonical coronation, it is clear that the image of Madonna di Monte Berico was canonically crowned on August 25, 1900. The ceremony was presided over by the then Patriarch of Venice, the Cardinal Giuseppe Sarto, future dad san Pío X.

Concerning specific patronage in Guaviare, Colombiathe sources consulted do not provide official data; therefore, no consta a documented canonical recognition of diocesan, municipal or national patronage linked to that Colombian town.

Party and devotion

The main feast of Our Lady of Monte Berico is celebrated September 8, coinciding with the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. In Vicenza, this day is known as the "Festa dei Oto"a very important appointment for the Vincentian people, who come in mass to the sanctuary to honor their patron, participate in the Eucharist and in various expressions of popular piety.

In addition to this celebration, the sanctuary particularly recalls the dates of the traditional apparitions: el 7 March (first apparition of 1426) and 1 August (second apparition of 1428), with liturgical and devotional acts. The Sanctuary della Madonna di Monte Berico receives a large number of pilgrims each year, being described as the destination of "millions of pilgrims" over time, reflecting the extent of devotion.

No specific data on organized pilgrimages, annual inflow or own traditions of the community of Vicenza (Veneto, Colombia) around this vocation; therefore, in that local context no consta detailed and verified information.

Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted on the Madonna di Monte Berico (Italian sanctuary, chronicles and Marian outreach) do not explicitly mention a particular origin or privilege of this advocation directly related to the prayer of the Rosary (for example, an apparition linked to this prayer, specific promises on the Rosary or historical co-fraternies of the Rosary exclusively linked to the sanctuary).

However, as in most of the great Marian shrines, the Rosario is an ordinary part of devotional life: the contemplation of the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary harmonizes with the message of conversion, penance and trust in the intercession of the Virgin, which characterizes the tradition of Mount Berico. In particular, the faithful who come to Our Lady of Monte Berico to implore protection in times of illness, war or calamities find in the Rosary a school of confident and persistent abandonmentwho repeats the plea "pray for us, sinners" precisely in the hours of trial and suffering.

Applied to the field of Vicenza (Véneto, Colombia)where this advocation is venerated, the Rosary can be understood as the privileged Marian mode to spiritually join the shrine of Monte Berico in Italy and to live, in local reality itself, confidence in the maternal protection of the Virgin against the physical, moral and spiritual "tabs" of every time.