Madonna Della Libera - Fondazione Provvidenti

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Madonna Della Libera

Ste-Catherine de Sienne
7070 Somerled Avenue, MTL
August 20 2006 at 11am
Mass and Procession - Float - Band - Booklet with Sponsors

Provvidenti is host to one of the oldest sanctuaries of the Molise region, la Madonna della Libera, which dates back to the 7th Century.

The naming of the Madonna with the title “Libera” (Liberation), originates from the neighboring diocese of Benevento. The Bishop of Benevento had a vision of the Virgin Mary during a siege of the city, whereby the Madonna appeared with her hands elevated and crosses embedded in her palms, as if to convey the liberation of the city.

The news of the apparition soon spread and reached Provvidenti, where a small sanctuary was built with a statue carved out of fig wood resembling the vision as described by the bishop.

To protect the statue during invasions, the citizens of Provvidenti would bury it. The statue was forgotten until the 11th century, when a farmer discovered it in the area known as Ponte Grosso. Since then, the area is also known as Campo della Madonna.

The sanctuary was restored in the 15th century, after the black plague hit Provvidenti. The feast for the Madonna was later established as the Sunday after Pentecost, and the sanctuary became a place for adoration and pilgrimage. During World War II, the sanctuary was even used as a military hospital.

After the 15th century, traces of the original statue were lost. The statue in Provvidenti today was sculpted in 1867, and since 1872, the feast of La Madonna della Libera has been celebrated mainly at the Chiesa Mater.

In Montreal, the Provvidentesi continue to celebrate their devotion to the Madonna with a feast which includes a mass and a procession during the month of August.

Pictures- Madonna Della Libera (1946-1950) Pictures- Madonna Della Libera (2005)

Song to the Madonna

O Madre della Libera
Volgi pietosa a noi
Gli sguardi ai figli tuoi
The, volgi per pietà!
In questa dura terra noi siam sempre in guerra