Maria Santissima Addolorata of Castelpetroso

Santuario de la Addolorata of Castelpetroso

Maria Santissima Addolorata is the nickname that Catholics venerate Mary for the apparitions that would have occurred in 1888 to two peasants near Castelpetroso, in the province of Isernia.

Two peasants, Fabiana Cicchino, called Bibiana, and Serafina Valentino, aged 35 and 34, respectively, reported that on March 22, 1888, in the town of Cesa tra Santi, near Castelpetroso, in the Moli- seen a light coming from a cave. They said that as they approached they saw the Virgin Mary, her heart pierced by seven swords, her arms wide open and her gaze turned to heaven, kneeling before the dead body of Jesus, covered with tears. They said they saw the Virgin ten years later.

The Catholic Church commissioned the investigation of the facts, while the pilgrimages grew. After the aforementioned episcopal recognition and subsequent consecration of the sanctuary, on December 6, 1973, Pope Paul VI proclaimed the Virgin Addolorata di Castelpetroso as a celestial patron of Molise. On March 19, 1995, Pope John Paul II visited the sacred site, paying homage to the Virgin Addolorata.

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