Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
2 Nov 2011
Icon of Our Lady of the Rosary of
Pompeii now touring Australia
For many, the mention of Pompeii conjures up the ruins of the ancient Roman city destroyed by the massive eruption of Mt Vesuvius' back in 79 AD. But for most Italians and the more than one million pilgrims who visit Pompeii each year, the ruins are not the attraction. They arrive instead to pray at the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii.
The Shrine which is one of Italy's most revered and most frequently visited is named for the Marian icon which hangs over the high altar, and which has been credited with a series of miraculous events as a result of prayers for Our Lady's intercession.
Now this important Icon, accompanied by the Pontifical Delegation of the Marian Mission of the Rosary, has arrived in Adelaide for the start of a three week pilgrimage that will include Sydney where for six days the precious Icon will be on display at St Mary's Cathedral.
Led by Mission Director, Don Andrea Fontanella, the Pontifical delegation includes Don Giuseppe Ruggiero, Director of Liturgy of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, Don Giovanni Russo, who is Director of the Youth Ministry for the Shrine and Domenico Romano, International Officer for the Marian Mission Around the World.
While it is rare for this venerated and important Icon to leave its home in Pompeii, after the remarkable response to its previous visit to Australia in 2005, permission was granted earlier this year for a second pilgrimage to our shores.
Pope Benedict XVI visited the Shrine
of Our Lady of Pompeii in October 2008
"The Icon of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii last visited Australia in November six years ago and the response by pilgrims was so great that the Mass planned for St Mary's Cathedral had to be transferred to the Club Marconi Stadium where we had a crowd of more than 20,000," says Felice Montrone, Secretary General for Australian of the Confederation of Italians Around the World. "The people that day came from all over, taking buses and trains from across NSW and even interstate to venerate this important Icon."
While Mr Montrone admits he is unsure if an open air Mass may prove necessary on this visit, he believes that as the Icon will reside at St Mary's Cathedral from 15 November until its departure for Italy on Monday, 21 November, there time for the many thousands of faithful who wish to pay homage to the Icon.
The Australian pilgrimage of the Icon begins on Friday, 4 November with a special service at South Australia's St Francis of Assisi Church, Newton. The Icon will remain at St Francis of Assisi Church until 6 November before travelling to Melbourne where from 9-13 November it will reside at St Anthony's Shrine, Hawthorn.
Then after spending 14 November travelling, the Icon will begin its six day mission to Sydney.
From Tuesday, 15 November until Monday, 21 November, Veneration of the Icon at St Mary's Cathedral will include daily Confessions at the Cathedral from 9.am until 10.30 am followed by an Italian Mass at 11 am. This program will alter slightly at the weekend with the Italian Mass held at 9.am on Saturday, 19 November and a Solemn Mass in English at 10.30 am on Sunday, 20 November.
Painted in the style of Eastern European icons of the Sixth Century, the Icon with its representation of Our Lady of the Rosary, was uncovered 126 years ago by Blessed Bartolo Longo.
Shrine of Our Lady of the Pompeii
where the Icon normally hangs
above the high altar
Searching for a representation of Our Lady of the Rosary for his project to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Rosary, but with little money to spend on this, he was told of one in a convent in Naples that had been purchased from a junk shop for just a few lire.
"Not only was it worm eaten, but the face of the Madonna was that of a rough looking country woman...a piece of canvas was missing above her head...her mantle was cracked," he wrote later admitting that at first he hesitated about whether he should accept the painting as a gift or not.
Four years after it was placed in Pompeii's Our Lady of the Rosary Church, acclaimed Italian painter, Federico Maldarelli offered to restore the image. Thanks to his skills, the beauty of the Icon finally became apparent. This beauty was further enhanced when a second restoration was carried out by Vatican artists in 1965.
The Pompeii Shrine and Icon were visited by Blessed John Paul II in 1979 and a year later the Holy Father described the newly-beatified Bartolo Longo as "the man of the Madonna" and "the Apostle of the Rosary."
This historic journey by the late pontiff was repeated by Pope Benedict XVI in October 2008.
"Having the Icon in Australia this month will bring joy to many thousands of people," says Mr Montrone who urges CBD workers to take time out during their lunch break to visit the Cathedral where Pompeii's historic and much loved Icon will be on display.
http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/news/latest_news/2011/2011112_1532.shtml
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