Our Lady of the High

Marian title of Petralia Sottana (Sicily)

No reliable sources (diocesis, sanctuary, mariological literature, Catholic press or advocacy databases) have been found to document a Marian advocation called Our Lady of the High / Madonna dell'Alto as patron of the peoples of the Madonna, with sanctuary at the summit of Mount Alto (1,819 m, Petralia Sottana, Palermo, Sicily, Italy), nor in an equivalent place in Colombia. This includes the absence of references in broad lists of Marian advocations and in repertories of known sanctuaries.

Main data

Origin and history

No reliable sources (diocesis, sanctuary, mariological literature, Catholic press or advocacy databases) have been found to document a Marian advocation called Our Lady of the High / Madonna dell'Alto as patron of the peoples of the Madonna, with sanctuary at the summit of Mount Alto (1,819 m, Petralia Sottana, Palermo, Sicily, Italy), nor in an equivalent place in Colombia. This includes the absence of references in broad lists of Marian advocations and in repertories of known sanctuaries.

The mention of "Petralia Sottana, department of Sicily, Colombia" mixes two different geographical realities: Petralia Sottana is a municipality in the province of Palermo, Sicily, in Italywhile Sicily as "department" does not correspond to the territorial organization of Colombia (which is divided into departments such as Antioquia, Cundinamarca, etc.). This geographical combination does not appear in verifiable ecclesiastical or civil documents and suggests an incorrect or unconfirmed data.

Tradition / legend (undocumented): In some local contexts, especially in informal digital or devotional areas, the tendency may arise to move claims from one country to another or to "relocate" names (for example, to take an existing sanctuary in Sicily - Italy and to place it in Colombia), but this is not supported by historical, canonical or academic documentation. In the absence of sources describing apparitions, miraculous foundations, pastors or wonders associated with "Our Lady of the High" in the above-mentioned place, this part should be considered as unverified tradition.

Documented history: As far as the repertories of Marian advocations, sanctuaries and apparitions reach, no documented history of this advocation with the specific elements indicated (name, location, patronage on the Madonna, sanctuary in Monte Alto at 1,819 m, feast on July 2, in Colombia). If there was a local devotion with this title in a particular parish or chapel, it does not appear in public access sources and should be directly investigated in parish or diocesan archives.

The image and the sanctuary

The available sources do not describe a image concrete under the title "Nuestra Señora del Alto / Madonna dell'Alto" related to a sanctuary in "Petralia Sottana, department of Sicily, Colombia." There are no reliable data on:

– Tipo de imagen (escultura, pintura, relieve, icono). – Material (madera, piedra, yeso, lienzo, etc.). – Rasgos iconográficos específicos (Niño Jesús, corona, símbolos propios, paisaje de las Madonie, etc.).

Nor has it been identified, on a documentary basis, a sanctuary or temple officially recognized with that title at the place indicated. It does not include:

– Nombre oficial del templo. – Declaración como diocesan sanctuary, National sanctuary o minor basilica. – Descripción arquitectónica ni datos de construcción o restauración.

If there was a Marian sanctuary on the top of a mountain called "Alto" linked to Petralia Sottana, the information available online on Marian shrines and on advocacy does not collect it with the features indicated. Consequently, no documented description of the image or the sanctuary for this advocation.

Sponsorship and coronation

– Patronage: No ecclesiastical document (diocesan decree, municipal act, official website) has been found that designates "Our Lady of the High / Madonna dell'Alto" as patron of a city, municipality, diocese or region, or of the Madonna in the Colombian context. The general sources on Marian patronings do not mention this advocation. Therefore, is not officially documented.

– Canon coronation: In the repertory of canonical coronations of Marian images, and in the Catholic press news about coronations, there is no reference to a coronation of this advocation in the indicated location. It should therefore be clearly stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

It is indicated as the date of the party the 2 Julybut this date allocation is not corroborated por:

– Calendarios litúrgicos diocesanos. – Páginas oficiales de parroquias o santuarios. – Documentos eclesiales sobre fiestas patronales.

On July 2, it has traditionally been the feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Marythen moved to 31 May; in some places Marian devotions have been preserved on 2 July, but this does not prove the existence of the specific advocation described.

No verifiable data on:

– Peregrinaciones regulares a este supuesto santuario. – Estadísticas de afluencia de fieles. – Procesiones, “bajadas” de la imagen, novenas u otras tradiciones populares específicamente asociadas a “Nuestra Señora del Alto / Madonna dell’Alto” en la ubicación propuesta.

Therefore, in the current state of the investigation and with available sources, No documented manera a party of its own, no specific devotional features, no flow data for this advocation.

Link to the Rosary

No explicit or official relationship has been found between this advocation and the prayer of Rosarysuch as the Rosary's co-fradies, particular indulgences, own aurora rosaries, or promises linked to this image. It should therefore be indicated: does not contain a specific documented link with the Rosary for "Our Lady of the High / Madonna dell'Alto" in the above mentioned location.

However, every true Marian devotion is part of the great tradition of the Church, in which the Holy Rosary It occupies a privileged place as contemplative prayer of the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary. Where the Virgin is venerated under any legitimate title:

– El Rosario ayuda a uniting popular devotion with Gospel meditation, recorriendo la Encarnación, la Pasión y la Gloria de Cristo. – Favorece una solid Marian spirituality, centrada en Cristo, evitando que la devoción se reduzca sólo a lo emocional o a lo meramente folklórico. – Ofrece un marco orante para vivir los posibles rasgos de la advocación (protección de los pueblos, cuidado de las familias, confianza en la intercesión de María) dentro de la comunión de la Iglesia.

Until solid documentation on this particular advocation (history, temple, canonical recognition) is available, only this General Marian bond: where Mary is called "Lady of the High," the prayer of the Rosary will always be a secure and traditional way of accompanying and purifying devotion, uniting it to the faith of the Church and to the contemplation of Christ with his Mother.