The miracle at the Sanctuary of Castelpetroso

Fabiana Cicchino was the peasant who first saw the Madonna, then the apparition took place again in the presence of her friend Serafina Valentino. Soon the news of the apparition spread throughout the country and, despite an initial skepticism from the population, the first pilgrimages to the place began, where a cross was placed.

The news came to the then Bishop of Bojano, Francesco Macarone Palmieri who, on September 26, 1888, wanted to personally make sure of what happened. He himself benefited from a new apparition, and in the same place a spring of water was born, which turned out to be miraculous.

Towards the end of 1888 the miracle that gave life to the grandiose project of the Sanctuary took place: Carlo Acquaderni, Bojanese director of the magazine "Il servo di Maria", decided to bring his son Augusto to the place of the apparition. Augusto, 12 years old, was ill with bone tuberculosis but, drinking from the source of Cesa Tra Santi, he totally recovered.

At the beginning of 1889, after the succession of medical tests, the miracle was proclaimed. Acquaderni and her son returned to the place again and attended the Apparition for the first time. Hence the desire to thank Our Lady and the elaboration of a project proposed to the Bishop for the construction of a sanctuary in honor of the Virgin. The Bishop agreed, and began raising funds to erect the structure. The person in charge of designing the work was Eng. Guarlandi of Bologna.

Guarlandi designed a majestic structure, in Gothic Revival style, initially larger than the current one. It took about 85 years to complete the work: the first stone was laid on September 28, 1890, but only on September 21, 1975 did the consecration take place.

In fact, the first years to follow were years of work, also considering the fact that it was not easy to get to the building site. Unfortunately, however, starting from 1897 a series of events followed which slowed down and blocked the construction. First the economic crisis, then the death of Archbishop Palmieri and the skepticism of his successor who blocked the construction, then the war, in short, were difficult years.

Fortunately, the offerings resumed, especially from Poland, and in 1907 the first chapel was inaugurated. But soon the crisis and the war again became protagonists of those years. Only in 1950 were the perimeter walls of the structure completed, together with some of the "secondary" works, such as the Via Matris. In 1973 Pope Paul VI proclaims the Immaculate Virgin patron of the Molise Region. To pursue the final goal was Msgr. Caranci, who finally consecrated the Temple.

The structure is dominated by the central dome, 52m high which supports all the radial architecture and symbolizes a heart, completed by 7 side chapels. The front is dominated by the facade which has three portals embedded between the two bell towers. You enter the Sanctuary from 3 doors, all in bronze, the one on the left built by the Pontifical Marinelli Foundry of Agnone, which also supplied all the bells. Just inside you can not help but notice the imposing dome, surrounded by 48 glass mosaics representing the patron saints of the various countries of the diocese.

Over the years, pilgrimages have increased more and more, in addition to alternating illustrious visits such as that of Pope John Paul II in 1995. Thanks to the people of Poland, the Pope's country of origin, there was a turning point in the construction of the Sanctuary. But the merit is above all of the Molisans, who with offers and work have allowed the creation of one of the most important religious sites of Molise.