The miraculous crucifix that stopped the plague: let's pray now

The Roman station church on Wednesday after Passion Sunday is the titulus Marcelli, the current San Marcello al Corso. Founded, according to Liber Pontificalis, by the holy Pope and Martyr Marcello (308-310) - whose body now rests there - in what was once the home of the devoted matron Lucina, it is one of the oldest churches in Rome and as all the historic churches of the Eternal City, treasure trove of history, devotion and art treasures.

Among these treasures, certainly stands out the Crucifix of the fourteenth century, from the Sienese school, very dear to the devotion of the Romans, from the people to the High Pontiffs, for its "miraculousness".

The origins of this devotion are to be found in the sixteenth century. First of all, on the night between 22 and 23 May 1519, when a fire devastated the temple of San Marcello. Almost everything was devoured by the fire, but among the smoking ruins, unharmed and with a lamp lit at the foot, the crucifix of the high altar stood out. The fact was considered miraculous by the people rushed and caused a certain emotion for which the sacred effigy slowly became the subject of an ever greater devotion, nourished by the Servants of Mary (who then officiate the church at the time), whose peculiarity is precisely the deep meditation on the mysteries of the Passion of Jesus and of the Compassion of Mary. The most devoted thus began to meet every Friday to honor the Holy Cross: they are the origins of the Archconfraternity of the Most Holy Crucifix, approved by Clement VII in 1526 and enriched with copious indulgences.

But it is in 1522 that the Roman people, scourged by the Great Plague, had the opportunity to experience how miraculous that Crucifix was. For sixteen days, from 4 to 20 August, the Effigy traveled the streets of Rome to finally reach the Basilica of San Pietro. As the Crucifix advanced, the plague diminished. Almost as if the Crucifix who performed the prodigy by means of his wooden representation wanted to dispel the fears of the city authorities who had tried to prevent the procession precisely for fear that the disease could spread more due to the gatherings of the faithful.