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by John O’Connell
Marian Shrines of Italy
Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate
editor, Brother Francis Mary Kalvelage, F.I.
178 pp.
To order call: 518/758-1584
Bravo. Just in time for the great Jubilee, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate have produced this wonderful book, Marian Shrines of Italy. There are more than 1,500 Marian shrines in Italy, many of course located in Rome itself. Though this would be an indispensable book to consult before making a pilgrimage to Rome (or anywhere in Italy), one need not be planning a pilgrimage to benefit from reading this book.
Marian Shrines of Italy covers 35 of these marvelous shrines to the Madonna, giving the reader a picture of the Marian geography of Italy. Each shrine is a jewel, so to speak, in the heavenly crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The book contains numerous pictures (many of them in color) of the shrines and images of the Holy Virgin.
Many of the better known shrines to the Madonna are included: St. Mary Major, Mother of Perpetual Help, the Holy House of Loreto, and Our Lady of Good Counsel among them. However, many shrines not so well known, at least outside of Italy, are also profiled. It is fascinating to read again and again about the mysterious designs of Providence, the powerful, maternal intercession of the Madonna, and the miracles and prodigies that God works among His people.
Just to note: the well-informed Catholic knows that the Mother and her Divine Son are closely united, consequently authentic Catholic devotion to the Blessed Mother always gives glory to God and leads the devout to a deeper, more intimate union with Jesus Christ.
Marian Shrines of Italy also tells of some of the heroic laborers in the Lord’s vineyard who in one way or another have been associated with a particular shrine to the Madonna—St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Blessed Bartolo Longo, Alphonse Ratisbonne, Bruno Cornacchiola, et al.
Reading the book presents the reader with a taste of the sumptuous Catholic banquet of devotion, art, architecture, and culture that is Italy’s patrimony. Unfortunately, as the editor notes, Italy like the rest of the Western world has become largely secularized, turning away from its rich Catholic heritage. Still Marian Shrines of Italy fills the reader with hope that God in His Mercy through the intercession of the Madonna, and the faithful disciples of Christ, will send forth His Spirit to renew Catholic Italy and the entire world.