On Saturday, July 1, 2023, the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Graces, the Most Reverend Alessandro DAMIANO, Archbishop of Agrigento, Italy, presided over the dedication of the Madonna delle Grazie Shrine Church in Montevago, Italy, and the consecration of its altar.
The event was attended by the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Agatha and St. Lucy in Italy (Sicily), Friar Gaspare LA BARBERA, friars from Sicily and Calabria, a number of diocesan priests, civil and military authorities, and numerous faithful.
It is not easy to record on paper the emotion that was felt during what was truly a “day of grace” for the friars and for the faithful of the towns of Montevago and Santa Margherita di Belice. After forty years of reconstruction work on the shrine (the previous one was destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake in 1968), the local people were finally able to see the consecration of the shrine’s altar and the shrine itself dedicated to the Bedda Matri di li Grazi (Beautiful Mother of Graces). Generations old and new have always regarded her with special faith and devotion.
This true grace was made tangible when, during Advent in 2022, the local Guardian, Friar Luca M. GURRERA, announced that the Archbishop of Agrigento would visit Montevago to celebrate the long-awaited rite.
Since then, preparations got underway, culminating with the creation of six bronze crosses, which were mounted on the walls of the shrine church as a symbol of the triumph of Christ. The crosses were made by the artist Friar Gesualdo VENTURA.
Finally came the day of the consecration of the shrine, on July 1, 2023. The event began with a procession led by Archbishop DAMIANO and accompanied by the singing of the hymn “Ave Stella del Mare.” Those marching in the procession included civil and military delegations from Montevago and Santa Margherita di Belice, the Mayor of Montevago, Margherita LA ROCCA, the Mayor of Santa Margherita di Belice, Gaspare VIOLA, municipal administrators, commanders of the local carabinieri [military police], municipal police, forest rangers, and all the faithful.
This event was a composed and participatory celebration. Many were moved as they gazed upon the painting of Our Lady of Graces. They were also filled with joy as the archbishop anointed the altar and the six wall crosses with holy oil. After the anointing, incense was offered while the Rector of the shrine lit candles beneath each of the six crosses.
The shrine, besides being a typically Franciscan place of welcome, is also home to the Franciscan Center for Evangelization. At the Center, friars and lay people from the Chiostro Aperto community work daily on evangelization activities and create paths for children, youth and adults to rediscover the importance of God in their lives.
Friar Rosario TERRANOVA, Provincial Secretary
