Montichiari-Fontanelle, Italy - 1947
OUR LADY, ROSA MYSTICA
THE FIRST APPARITION, MAY 1947
The litte town of Montichiari lies in Northern Italy surrounded by exquisite mountains, and in fact takes its name from them, Montichiari meaning "clear mountains". A town of only about 14,000 people, it is situated close to the city of Brescia in the province of Lombardy.
In the Spring of 1947, while praying in the chapel of the local hospital in Montichiari, nurse Pierina Gilli had an unforgettable experience. The Mother of God appeared to her in a wonderful vision, brilliant with light. Although She was exceedingly beautiful, the Madonna was wearing a purple gown, and Her face was very sorrowful, and Her eyes were brimming with tears. On Her breast was Her Immaculate Heart, pierced by three swords.
Our Lady only spoke three words to Pierina during this first appearance: "PRAYER, SACRIFICE, AND PENANCE." The nurse received infused knowledge that the first sword piercing Our Lady's Heart signified Masses that were celebrated unworthily by sinful priests, and sacrilegious Communions received; the second sword signified priests, nuns, and other religious who abandoned their vocations; the third sword signified the betrayal of the Catholic Faith. Our Lady disappeared, leaving Pierina both joyful for having the experience, but immensely sorrowful to see Our Lady suffering so dreadfully.
SECOND APPARITION, JULY 13, 1947
Our Lady appeared to Pierina again at the hospital, this time wearing a white dress and a hooded cloak. On Her breast in a triangular formation were three roses: one white, one red, and one gold. Pierina was told the white rose represented the spirit of prayer, the red rose represented the spirit of sacrifice, and the yellow rose the spirit of penance and conversion.
"I am the Mother of Jesus Christ, and the Mother of you all. Our Lord sends me to bring a new Marian Devotion to all religious orders and institutes, male and female, and to the priests of this world. I promise to protect those religious orders and institutes who will venerate Me in this special way, increase their vocations, and achieve a greater striving for saintliness among the servants of God.
"I wish that the 13th day of each month be celebrated as a Marian Day. Special prayers are to be said during the preceding twelve days." With an expression of great joy, Our Lady continued, "ON THIS DAY I SHALL POUR OUT VOCATIONAL HOLINESS AND ABUNDANT GRACES ON THOSE RELIGIOUS ORDERS AND SPIRITUAL INSTITUTES WHO HAVE HONORED ME SO SPECIALLY.
"I WISH THAT THE 13TH OF JULY BE CELEBRATED IN HONOR OF THE 'ROSA MYSTICA' (the Mystical Rose (Mary))"
Pierina asked the Blessed Virgin if a miracle would be given to prove the authenticity of Our Lady's requests. The Virgin replied, "THE MOST EVIDENT MIRACLE WILL BE THIS: those who have given their souls to God - the religious, who, for a long time now, HAVE BECOME INDIFFERENT, THUS BETRAYING THEIR VOCATION, AND AS A RESULT OF THEIR OFFENSES HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT THE PUNISHMENTS AND PERSECUTIONS WHICH ARE RAGING AGAINST THE CHURCH AT THE PRESENT TIME - will cease offending Our Lord. They will again lead a life according to the original spirit of their saintly founders."
Devotion to Our Lady as "The Mystical Rose, Mother of the Church" is not a new devotion, but has been existant with the Church since the beginning of Christianity. However, Our Savior is promising a renewal of great sanctity among religious orders that have gone astray by their sins and grave errors if they honor His Mother, the Treasurer of all His Graces, under this title in a special way. Pierina Gilli, the visionary of these beautiful series of apparitions, stated, "Mary is the great Teacher of the innermost, mystical life, and the Mother of the mystical Body of Christ; in other words MARY IS THE MOTHER OF THE CHURCH."
Sacred Scripture tells us explicitly in the person of Mary that "I am the Mother of Fair Love, and of Fear, and of Knowledge, and of Holy Hope. In Me is all Grace, of the Way and of Truth; in Me is all Hope of Life and of Virtue." (Ecclisiasticus 24:24-25.) In Mary we receive most fully, and most perfectly, Jesus Christ Our Lord Himself, Who Himself tells us, "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER EXCEPT BY ME." (John 14:6)
Pope Paul VI, a great Marian Pope of our times, confirmed in his final speech during the third meeting of Vatican Council II, on November 21, 1964, declared The Blessed Virgin Mary to be the Mother of the Church, adding, "WE WANT THAT, IN THE FUTURE, THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN IS STILL MORE HONORED UNDER THIS TITLE, AND CALLED BY THIS LOVELY TITLE BY THE CHRISTIAN PEOPLE."
THIRD APPARITION, OCTOBER 22, 1947
Pierina saw Our Lady again in the chapel of the hospital, in the presence of many staff members, doctors, and people from the town. This time Our Lady requested that the desired devotion be realized and said, "I have placed myself as the Mediatrix BETWEEN MY DIVINE SON AND MANKIND, ESPECIALLY FOR THE SOULS CONSECRATED TO GOD. TIRED OF THE CONTINUOUS OFFENSES, HE ALREADY WANTED TO DISPENSE HIS JUSTICE."
Pierina thanked Our Lady in the name of all present, and before departing, The Virgin said to her, "LIVE OUT OF LOVE!"
FOURTH APPARITION, NOVEMBER 16, 1947
On this occasion, Our Lady appeared to Pierina in the Basilica of Montichiari in the presence of many people, several of them being priests. The Virgin said to her, "Our Lord can no longer watch THE MANY GRIEVOUS SINS AGAINST PURITY. HE WANTS TO SEND A FLOOD OF PUNISHMENTS. I have interceded that He may be Merciful once more! Therefore, I ASK FOR PRAYER AND PENANCE TO ATONE FOR THESE SINS."
When Pierina promised that she was willing to do this, Our Lady replied, "I lovingly ask the priests to express their great love and stop the people from committing those sins. WHOEVER WILL ATONE FOR THOSE SINS WILL RECEIVE MY BLESSING AND GRACES."
Pierina asked Our Lady if mankind could hope for forgiveness and She answered her, "Yes, AS LONG AS THESE SINS ARE NO LONGER COMMITTED." And then She departed.
FIFTH APPARITION, NOVEMBER 22, 1947
The Mother of God appeared for the second time in the Basilica of Montichiari on this occasion. Pierina was again surrounded by several people who witnessed her ecstasy.
Our Lady told the seer to make the Sign of the Cross four times with her tongue on the tiles in the center of the church, directly underneath the Dome. When Pierina did this, Our Lady descended to this spot, directly upon which She placed her bare feet, and said, " I DESCEND ON THIS PLACE, FOR MANY GREAT CONVERSIONS WILL HAPPEN HERE." Her voice became sorrowful as She continued, saying, "The Christians of your Italian nation belong to those who offend most My Divine Son Jesus through their sins of unchastity. OUR LORD DEMANDS, THEREFORE, PRAYER, GENEROUS SACRIFICES, AND PENANCE."
Pierina asked, "What do we have to do to fulfill your requests for prayer and penance?"
Our Lady responded full of tenderness, "Prayer..." She remained silent for a few moments then continued, "PENANCE MEANS TO ACCEPT EVERY DAY ALL THE LITTLE CROSSES, AND THE DUTIES TOO, IN THE SPIRIT OF PENANCE. On the 8th of December, at noon, I shall appear again here in the Basilica. IT WILL BE THE HOUR OF GRACE." (This was the first and only time Pierina knew beforehand when the Virgin was going to appear to her, because heretofore She would always appear to her unexpectedly.)
Pierina: "Please explain to me the meaning of "The Hour of Grace."
Our Lady: "THIS HOUR OF GRACE WILL PRODUCE GREAT AND NUMEROUS CONVERSIONS. Hardened hearts, as cold as this marble, will be touched by Divine Grace, and they will become faithful to Our Lord in loyal love." And then She departed.
SIXTH APPARITION, DECEMBER 7, 1947
Our Lady appeared to Pierina in the Basilica of Montichiari for the third time. Three persons were present, among whom was the priest who was the seer's Confessor. Our Lady, wearing the same white hooded cloak ornamented by the roses, appeared in the company of two children, a boy and a girl, who each held a side of the robe. Our Lady would identify them in this apparition as JACINTA AND FRANSCISCO, the two deceased visionaries of FATIMA, Portugal, (and who, in May 2000 were beatified by Pope John Paul II, only one step away from full canonization).
Our Lady said: "I shall show My Heart tomorrow OF WHICH THE PEOPLE KNOW SO LITTLE. In Fatima I asked that the devotion to My Heart be spread. I wanted to bring My Heart into Chrisitan families when I visited BONATE..." after a brief pause Our Lady continued in the same sweet voice, "Here in Montichiari I wish to be VENERATED as the Rosa Mystica, as already I indicated so often, TOGETHER WITH THE DEVOTION TO MY HEART WHICH MUST ESPECIALLY BE PRACTICED IN RELIGIOUS INSTITUTES so that they may obtain MORE GRACES through My Motherly Heart."
Our Lady then confided a secret to Pierina with the promise that She would tell her the time for the secret to be made public. At this point, Pierina asked Our Lady who the children were that had accompanied her this day. Our Lady responded, "Jacinta and Francisco; they will help you in your trials and suffering. They, too, suffered though they were much younger than you. I WISH FROM YOU THE SIMPLICITY AND GOODNESS OF THESE TWO CHILDREN."
Our Lady then spread out Her arms as a sign of Her protection, lifted Her eyes to Heaven and disappeared with the words: "BLESSED BE THE LORD!"
SEVENTH APPARITION, DECEMBER 8, 1947
Thousands of people packed the Basilica of Montichiari on this day, and countless priests were present to observe Pierina Gilli. The visionary had great difficulty getting into the church, where she knelt at the same spot where the apparition was the day before. Our Lady appeared during the recitation of the Holy Rosary.
Our Lady stood on a large white staircase. She said with a smile, "I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION." And descending a few steps in great majesty She continued, "I am Mary, full of grace, Mother of My Divine Son, Jesus Christ." She descended further, saying, "Through my coming to Montichiari, I WISH TO BE KNOWN AS THE ROSA MYSTICA.
"It is my wish that every year, on the 8th of December, at noon, THE HOUR OF GRACE FOR THE WORLD BE CELEBRATED. Many divine and bodily graces will be received through this devotion.
"Our Lord, My Divine Son Jesus, will send His overflowing Mercy if good people will pray continuously for their sinful brothers. One should very soon notify the Holy Father of the Church, Pope Pius XII, that it is My wish that the Hour of Grace for the world be made known and spread throughout the world. If anyone is unable to visit his church, yet will pray at noon at home, he will also receive graces through Me. Whoever prays on these tiles and weeps tears of Penance, will find a secure heavenly ladder and receive protection and grace through My Motherly Heart."
At this point, Our Lady revealed Her Immaculate Heart to Pierina and said, "Look at this Heart which loves mankind so very much, BUT MOST PEOPLE ONLY SHOWER OFFENSES UPON IT. If the good and the bad unite in prayer, they will obtain Mercy and Peace through this Heart. THE LORD IS STILL PROTECTING THE GOOD AND IS HOLDING BACK A GREAT PUNISHMENT BECAUSE OF MY INTERCESSION. Soon one will recognize the greatness of this Hour of Grace."
Pierina said to the Blessed Virgin, "Dear Lady, I thank You! Bless my homeland Italy and the whole world, but especially the Holy Father, the priests, the religious, and the sinners."
Our Lady replied, "I HAVE ALREADY PREPARED A FLOOD OF GRACES FOR ALL THE CHILDREN WHO LISTEN TO MY WORDS AND KEEP THEM IN THEIR HEARTS."
Mary told Pierina she would appear again in the future when the time was right for Her Secret to be made public by the Church. Pierina left her job at the hospital and retreated in silence to a convent where she served in the kitchen, hidden from the world.
FONTANELLE
In February, 1966, Pierina was praying in her room when the Madonna appeared to her unexpectedly. Our Lady gave her consolation and new courage, and promised to appear to her at Fontanelle on the following Sunday, the Sunday after Easter, April 17.
Pierina was very familiar with Fontanelle, a suburb of Montichiari, especially with a well that was there, with steps leading down to it. The Bishop of Brescia was notified about the apparition, and he told Pierina not to tell anyone about it. Accompanied by only a girlfriend as a witness, Pierina obeyed.
FIRST APPARITION, APRIL 17, 1966
At this apparition Our Lady said, "My Divine Son is total Love, AND HE IS SENDING ME TO GIVE MIRACULOUS POWERS TO THIS SPRING...As a sign of penance, kiss the top step." Pierina was directed to go before Our Lady, where she kissed the stone step. "Now descend a few steps and kiss the stone again." Our Lady followed her down the steps. "Now, for a third time, kiss the bottom step and have a Crucifix placed there." Our Lady pointed to the spot with Her left hand. "The sick and all my children must kiss the Crucifix and ask My Divine Son for forgiveness before they take the water from this well, or drink it. Take mud in your hands. Now wash yourself with water. This is to teach the sinners THAT SIN MAKES THE SOUL DIRTY, YET THE SOUL WILL BE CLEAN AGAIN THROUGH THE WATER OF GRACE. Thus, the sinner will once more be pleasing to God."
Our Lady bowed down and touched the water of the spring in two places. "The wishes expressed by My Son Jesus in 1947 are to be made known to all My children. Then I gave you His Messages and mine in the Basilica. It is My wish, and I repeat: the sick should come to this miraculous spring and many of My children should come with them."
SECOND APPARITION, MAY 13, 1966
Our Lady appeared to Pierina at the spring in Fontanelle for the second time. The apparition occurred at 11:40 am, and tweny people were in Pierina's company. Our Lady began Her discourse.
"One should make known My appearance at this spring. MY DIVINE SON IS ALL LOVE. The world is walking the road to perdition. Once again I have been able to obtain Mercy, and Jesus has sent Me, therefore, again...to bring you the Grace of His Love. IT REQUIRES PRAYER, SACRIFICE, AND PENANCE IN ORDER TO SAVE MANKIND."
Our Lady pointed to the spring with Her right hand. "It is My wish that a comfortable basin be built here, in order to immerse the sick in the water...the other part of the spring..." She pointed to Her left-hand side, "is to be used for drinking... You are to call this spring 'THE SPRING OF GRACE' I AM THE ROSA MYSTICA..." The Virgin spread out Her arms and opened her cloak wide with a smile, "I have come to bring love, unity, and peace to the souls of My children. I ask you, DO NOT THROW ANY MUD ON THE LOVE FOR YOUR FELLOW-MAN."
Pierina asked why Our Lady spread her cloak so widely. She answered her, "This is the meaning of My Love WHICH EMBRACES THE WHOLE OF MANKIND. Do acts of charity for the sick, who will come here."
THIRD APPARITION, JUNE 9, 1966
About 100 people were present at the spring at Fontanelle on this day, which was the Feast of Corpus Christi, a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. Pierina arrived after 3pm and requested that everyone pray the Rosary. In the middle of the Rosary, Pierina saw Our Lady over a wheat field adjacent to the spring. The others present could not see the Virgin, but they clearly saw the top of the wheat bending lightly as Our Lady walked across it.
Our Lady said to Pierina: "My Divine Son Jesus Christ has sent Me here today, on the Feast of the Body of Our Lord, on the Feast of Unity and Love..." She gestured over the wheat field. "I should like very much that this wheat be transformed into the Eucharistic Bread, into countless penitential Communions. It is My wish that the Host made of this wheat be taken to Rome, and to Fatima for the 13th of October."
Pierina asked Her if all the wheat in the field should be used. Mary replied, "May noble hearts fulfill My wish.... I wish that a Chapel be built here with a statue facing the spring."
Pierina said, "Dear Blessed Virgin, I don't understand."
Our Lady showed her an image, saying, "The statue is to be carried here in a procession on October 13, but prior to it, it is My wish that the people of Montichiari consecrate themselves to My Heart. Montichiari is the place which My Divine Son has chosen for Me to distribute His Graces."
FOURTH APPARITION, AUGUST 6, 1966
Pierina came to the spring at about 2:30pm. At least 200 people were present. At 3pm, Pierina requested the Rosary be said. Our Lady appeared to her during the fourth Mystery.
"My Divine Son Jesus has sent Me again in order to request THE WORLD LEAGUE OF PENITENTIAL COMMUNION, and this is to be done on October 13. This Day of Penitential Communion should be spread throughout the world. It is to be held first in 1966, AND THEN TO BE REPEATED EVERY YEAR. THOSE PRIESTS AND FAITHFUL WHO WILL SPREAD THIS DEVOTION WILL BE GIVEN THE WEALTH OF MY GRACES."
Pierina asked Her again about the wheat. Our Lady instructed her: "One should take this wheat to my beloved son, Pope Paul VI with the instruction that it has been blessed by Our Presence. It is the wheat of his homeland, of Brescia, of Montichiari. Tell him the wishes of My Divine Son...also those concerning FATIMA."
"And what about the rest of the wheat?" Pierina asked.
"Have small bread rolls baked of the remaining wheat. These rolls are to be distributed here at Fontanelle on certain days in memory of My coming. This is to be the sign of gratitude of my sons, who till the soil. After My Assumption into Heaven I HAVE ALWAYS ACTED AS MEDIATRIX BETWEEN MY SON JESUS AND THE WHOLE OF MANKIND. How many graces have I been able to obtain in all these centuries! How many graces were shown. HOW MUCH PUNISHMENT WAS PREVENTED. How many dialogues did I hold with souls. How often have I visited Earth to bring My Messages to the people, BUT PEOPLE CONTINUE TO OFFEND OUR LORD. I have chosen this place of Montichiari because there is still the humility of poor Bethlehem among my sons who till the soil. FURTHERMORE, THIS PLACE, WHERE SO MANY PRAYERS ARE SAID CONTINUOUSLY, WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO A SOURCE OF RICH BLESSINGS."
ADDITIONAL APPARITIONS
After these public manifestations, Pierina withdrew once more into a life of peaceful retirement, and at the request of the local Bishop, remained silent about anything further. However Our Lady continued to appear to her without previous announcements, usually when Pierina was praying in her private little chapel. A long series of visitations occurred from 1974 to 1976.
Statues of Our Lady as she appeared to Pierina under the title of "Maria Rosa Mystica" were made in great abundance, and large ones, for pilgrimage purposes, were sent all over the world visiting one parish after another. It is the majority of these pilgrim statues that have shed human tears of water and even of blood on so many occasions throughout the world. For further information on this, see our page on WEEPING IMAGES.
Although signs were often seen in the sky and sun by pilgrims to Montichiari, the greatest miracles were the numerous cures, conversions, and exorcisms of afflicted pilgrims. The parish priest of Montichiari was convinced the apparitions were truly of the Mother of God, and although the Bishop appointed a commission to study the events, the matter was poorly handled by them (like GARABANDAL, Spain), and the Bishop remained undecided as to the supernatural and Divine character of the apparitions, although he certainly announced that many supernatural acts (the cures for example) did actually take place. The Pope, who had a private audience with Pierina, spoke to her warmly about the apparitions, and make comments to her that showed his private approval of them. However, the final decision rests with the Bishop of Brescia, who has jurisdiction over Montichiari and Fontanelle.
The present Bishop has not acted favorably toward the apparitions and in a recent move, ordered the spring at Fontanelle to be closed down until further notice. One is heartened by the trials endured by GARABANDAL, Spain, AMSTERDAM, Holland, and most recently, LIPA in the Phillipines, all of which endured decades of furious opposition and misunderstanding by the Church before various penalties were removed, and which enjoyed a review by a new ecclesiastical commission. In the case of Our Lady of All Nations in AMSTERDAM, a total reversal of the previous negative ruling was made by the Bishop, and the events there now have full and official approval by the Church. In each of these above cases, this opposition and eventual approval by the Church was prophesied by Our Lady in the apparitions.
If anything can be learned by all the trials and tribulations of these very serious apparitions, it's that despite what "modernized" and liberal clergy try to do to shut Our Lord and Our Lady up for exposing them, God wins out in the end, and the means He uses are not always very pretty.
