Our Lady of Divine Love

Mater Divini Amoris · Rome (Italy)

In the countryside south of Rome, in Castel di Leva, the Madonna of the Divine Amore, Mother of Divine Love, is venerated, to which the Romans come on pilgrimage, especially on summer nights.

Origin and history

The tradition places the origin in 1740: a pilgrim going to San Pedro, attacked by fierce dogs next to a medieval tower where there was an image of the Virgin with the Child and the Holy Spirit - with the inscription "Mater Divini Amoris" -, he invoked the Mother and was freed from danger. The episode spread devotion and gave rise to the sanctuary.

During the Second World War, in 1944, the Cardinal Vicar of Rome Luigi Traglia renewed in this image the vote of the Romans asking that the city be preserved from destruction. The perceived fulfillment of that vote reinforced his title as a protector of Rome. In the 20th century a new sanctuary was erected to host the many pilgrims.