Our Lady of Caravaggio

Biography

Our Lady of Caravaggio, also known as Nostra Signora di Caravaggio, is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary based on an apparition that occurred on 26th May 1432 in the countryside outside Caravaggio, Lombardy, Italy. The apparition took place in a hay field, where Giannetta de’ Vacchi Varoli was cutting hay. This profound encounter with the Virgin Mary would go on to have a significant impact on the local community and inspire devotion to Our Lady of Caravaggio. During the apparition, the Virgin Mary requested penance from the people of Caravaggio and asked for a chapel to be built in her honor. In response to her request, the local residents constructed a shrine dedicated to Santa Maria del Fonte at the exact site where the apparition occurred. Miraculously, a new spring of healing water emerged in the hay field, adding to the significance of the shrine. The healing water became renowned for its miraculous properties, attracting pilgrims from near and far. Over time, devotion to the Madonna of Caravaggio spread throughout the region and eventually reached far beyond the borders of Italy. The shrine became a pilgrimage site attracting millions of devotees annually to venerate Our Lady of Caravaggio, seek spiritual consolation, and pray for healing. In the year 1879, a group of Italian settlers from Lombardy migrated to southern Brazil. With them, they brought a statue of Our Lady of Caravaggio, which held immense importance to them. As it was the only sacred religious artwork they possessed, the settlers dedicated a chapel to the Madonna di Caravaggio, creating a spiritual hub for their community in their new land. Today, this chapel still stands and continues to attract numerous pilgrims, with over a million visiting each year. Our Lady of Caravaggio holds a special place in the hearts of the faithful. Her apparition, the healing water, and the devotion born from this profound experience have become deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Her feast day is celebrated on 26th May annually, commemorating the day of her apparition and serving as a reminder of her powerful intercession. Our Lady of Caravaggio is recognized as the patroness of Cremona, Italy, in the diocese where the shrine is located. Her influence and spiritual guidance have touched countless lives, empowering individuals with hope, healing, and faith. As a post-Congregation Marian title, Our Lady of Caravaggio continues to inspire devotion and provide comfort to the faithful worldwide. Her apparition and the ensuing devotion that followed have truly made her a beloved figure within the Catholic Church and a source of inspiration for millions of pilgrims who visit her shrine seeking solace and grace.