The first stone of the Sanctuary of St. Mary of Mount Berico in Italy was laid on Aug. 25 almost 600 years ago but continues to attract pilgrims searching for the protection of the Mother of God.

Since 1435, the Servants of Mary — also known as the Servites — have been the official custodians of the shrine after the then-Veneto Bishop Bartolomeo della Pasina entrusted the care of the Marian site and its pilgrims to the mendicant religious order.

In times of great upheaval, including the devastating aftermath of medieval plagues and plunders led by Napoleon Bonaparte in the late 18th century, the Servites have offered Masses and prayers on behalf of those who have turned to them and the Blessed Virgin Mary in their time of need.

According to Servants of Mary Veneto provincial Father Giuseppe Corradi, OSM, the story of Our Lady of Mount Berico is simple but has stood the test of time.

“The message of the Mother of God of Mount Berico was first to build a church in my honor,” Corradi told CNA. “But also that everyone who visits my church on the first Sunday of the month or on feasts dedicated to me will receive special graces.”

“People believe this and they receive special graces,” he said with a smile. “I have personally had this experience too.”

Written records in the shrine’s archives report the Mother of God appeared to an elderly woman named Vincenza Pasini on Mount Berico on March 7, 1426, and again on Aug. 1, 1428. 

On both occasions, Our Lady appeared to Pasini on the hill, asking her to tell the local bishop, Pietro Emiliani, to encourage the city’s people to pray to her and to build a new church dedicated in her honor.

The bishop did not initially believe Pasini until she returned to him a second time with the same request two years later in 1428. 

Though fearful of being turned away again, Our Lady assured Pasini that the bishop will, this time, believe her and will build a church on Mount Berico.

Within three months, a small Gothic chapel was built and streams of Catholic faithful started to come and implore Mary’s intercession and protection at the new place of pilgrimage.

“The Mother of God said to her that you have to trust me,” Corradi told CNA. “Therefore we, too, have to trust the Mother of God.”

The growth of the Sanctuary of St. Mary of Mount Berico

Next year, the sixth centenary of the first apparition of Our Lady of Mount Berico will be celebrated on March 7.

With preparations underway for big celebrations, Corradi said he and his religious brothers are grateful for the many spiritual gifts and miracles of faith they have witnessed in connection with the centuries-old shrine.

Now an impressive basilica overlooking the northern Italian city of Vicenza, the original shrine grew from a small chapel to a Marian sanctuary that continues to welcome pilgrims all year round.

“When a great Marian feast, like the Assumption, is celebrated, you will see that every part of the church and outside the church are full of people,” Corradi said.

“Today, people say that we have to visit the Basilica of Mount Berico nine times a year on the first Sunday of the month,” he said. “After their visits they receive the graces.”

“Believe me, it really works, but only for people who trust and believe,” he added.

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This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.