The Minor Basilica of Castelpetroso

 

The history of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows begins on March 22, 1888, when two shepherdesses, Fabiana Cicchino and Serafina Valentino, were near the place known as "Cesa Tra Santi." While searching for two lost sheep, Fabiana noticed a dazzling light emanating from a crevice. Intrigued, the shepherdess approached and found herself faced with a celestial vision: in the glow of the light, she could recognize the image of the Virgin Mary, her gaze turned toward the sky, holding her dead Son in her arms. This was not an isolated incident; a few days later, close to Easter, there was another episode, this time Serafina also benefited from the vision. Word of the apparitions soon spread throughout the village, and others began to pilgrimage to the holy site, where a cross was placed in memory of what had happened. On September 26, 1888, Msgr. Francesco Macarone Palmieri, bishop of Bojano, went to the sacred site to "investigate" the alleged apparitions and was blessed to see Our Lady of Sorrows as she had appeared to the two shepherdesses. Another extraordinary event accompanied the apparitions: at the foot of the cliff, a spring of water immediately proved miraculous.

Among the many faithful who flocked to Castelpetroso was Carlo Acquaderni, the editor of the magazine "Il Servo di Maria," who went on a pilgrimage with his son, who was suffering from bone tuberculosis. After drinking water from the spring, the young man was healed. Thus, numerous faithful from all over the world flocked to drink from this spring, believed to be miraculous. To give thanks for the healing he received from the Blessed Virgin Mary, Carlo Acquaderni promoted the construction of the Sanctuary. The task was entrusted to the architect Francesco Gualandi of Bologna, who oversaw the design and construction of this majestic structure, the cornerstone of which was laid on September 22, 1890. The Temple was consecrated on September 21, 1975. The neo-Gothic building was not constructed exactly where the apparitions occurred, but further down the valley to facilitate construction and access for pilgrims.

The Temple is entirely carved from local stone, hand-crafted by skilled stonemasons from Molise, including the brothers Mario, Giuffrida, and Pasquale Chiocchio from Oratino and the Pasquini brothers from Pietrasanta.
With a radial plan and seven side chapels, it encompasses approximately 10,000 square meters, capable of accommodating over 10,000 worshippers. The interior features valuable works by Maestro Amedeo Trivisonno. The structure, 57 meters high at its highest point, rises magnificently before the eyes of pilgrims: the façade is the first thing that strikes you, along with the two bell towers that embrace it.

In 1947, a nature trail called the Via Matris was inaugurated, a 750-meter path that winds along the mountain, steeped in beauty and spirituality, connecting the Sanctuary with the site of the apparitions. Along the Via Matris, the entire life of the Virgin is divided into seven "stations," corresponding to seven episodes in which the devotion of the Christian people has identified the seven "principal" sorrows of the Mother of the Lord.

Today, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows is a destination for pilgrims from all over Italy.

In 1973, Pope Paul VI proclaimed the Virgin Mary patroness of the Molise region.

On March 19, 1995, Pope John Paul II visited the sacred site.
In 2011, the Path of Tobias was inaugurated, combining religious and naturalistic themes and representing an important work of protection and enhancement of the area. The most recent event involving the Sanctuary was the visit of Pope Francis in July 2014, during which the Sanctuary was recognized as a Minor Basilica.

Contacts: 0865 936110 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sights: the external façade, the bell towers, and the bell ringing made by the Pontifical Marinelli Foundry of Agnone, Molise. The pipe organ, the central dome, the mosaics, the Via Matris, and the site of the apparitions.

Significant Holidays: March 22nd marks the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady of Sorrows. The fourth Sunday in September marks the anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone.

To learn more, I recommend watching the video documentary "The Sanctuary at Castelpetroso," which tells the story of the Basilica Minore dell'Addolorata through previously unseen images and testimonies from the protagonists. The work, the fruit of over six years of careful and meticulous research, was created by Mario Notte.