Our Lady of Pierno

Marian Invocation of San Fele (Basilicata)

La devoción a Our Lady of Pierno is linked, according to the local tradition, with the finding of an image of the Virgin in a gruta and with a sanctuary of height of medieval origin; however, in the results provided does not contain sufficient historical documentation to enable the date of the finding to be fixed with certainty and to reconstruct its early stages rigorously.

Main data

Origin and history

La devoción a Our Lady of Pierno is linked, according to the local tradition, with the finding of an image of the Virgin in a gruta and with a sanctuary of height of medieval origin; however, in the results provided does not contain sufficient historical documentation to enable the date of the finding to be fixed with certainty and to reconstruct its early stages rigorously.

Nor does a specific ecclesiastical source of the sanctuary or diocese appear in the results that details the historical evolution of this advocation. For this reason, any more precise statement about its origin, temple reforms or expansion of veneration must remain, for now, as no consta.

The image and the sanctuary

In the available results no consta a secure description of the original or current image of Madonna di Pierno, or of its material, iconography or artistic chronology.

Asimismo, no consta in the sources provided official name complete of the sanctuary, nor its possible status as a minor basilica, diocesan or national sanctuary. It can only be said, with the information given, that it is a high sanctuary associated with the medieval tradition of finding in a grotto.

Sponsorship and coronation

The advocation is presented as cartridge de San FareHowever, in the results provided no consta sufficient ecclesiastical documentation to specify whether his patronage also reaches the diocese or another major constituency.

On a possible canonical coronation, does not contain a documented canonical coronation in the results provided.

Party and devotion

La main party se celebra el primer Sunday of Augustthe data accompanying the consultation; no independent verification of that liturgical or popular calendar, although it does coincide with the usual way to celebrate many Marian mountain shrines in southern Italy.

They do not contain in the sources provided inflow figures, descriptions of pilgrimages or specific popular traditions. These elements should therefore be considered as no constan until they are re-investigated in sources of the sanctuary, diocese or local Catholic press.

Link to the Rosary

In the available results no consta a specific historical relationship between Madonna di Pierno and a fraternity, brotherhood or practice of Rosary.

However, as in so many Marian asvocations, the Rosary It naturally accompanies this devotion because it guides contemplation to the mysteries of Christ with Mary, and allows us to pray before a local image without losing the universal dimension of Marian piety.

If useful, a revised version of this sheet when specific sources of the sanctuary, the diocese or local Italian publications are available, to safely complete history, iconography, patronage and feast.