History
of the Sanctuary
On the
first Sunday of
September 1465, Maria, a 13-year-old girl from Garlasco, was
leading her flock to pasture; she was deaf-and-dumb, and she was resigned to
her state, that she accepted as God’s project on her life.
Suddenly, the sky
turned dark as a storm was coming near. Maria tried to take shelter under the
small roof of a niche with a fresco depicting the Virgin Mary, a votive
offering of the painter Agostino from
At that time, the
river flew a few metres away from where Maria was; there were also many hawthorn - in Italian “biancospino”
– bushes, called “buslà” in Garlasco dialect: for this reason the place was
known as “Bozzola”.
Suddenly, a big
light appeared: it was the Virgin Mary that entrusted Maria with a mission:
“Maria, go and tell
Garlasco people that I would like them to build a Sanctuary here, as a
protection for the whole Lomellina (the Vigevano
and Garlasco area, translator’s note). Many will be the graces that I will
grant in this place, and my children shall experience the treasures of my
Mercy”.
Maria went back to Garlasco: no more deaf-and-dumb,
she told everyone about the apparition and the message she had received, and
she was immediately believed by her fellow-citizens.
Since then, Maria
was named Maria Benedetta (Mary the Blessed), for the
miracle that the Virgin Mary had made on her. There are no precise pieces of
information about the following years of Maria’s life: it seems that the Garlasco’s parish priest took care of her, and she entered
a cloister between Alagna and Tromello, two villages at a small distance from
Garlasco.
At that period, a
small church (corresponding to the current presbytery) was built in the place
chosen by the Virgin Mary.
In 1600 the church
was enlarged.
In 1662 the
bell-tower was built.
In 1702 works for
the octagonal dome were started.
In 1860 the main
aisle was lengthened, the right and left arms were added and the inside of the
sanctuary was completed: it is a Doric order Greek cross with an octagonal
dome, with a lantern.
In 1890
the building of the façade was begun, after a drawing of Mr. Marietti; later,
it was knocked down, and built a second time after a project of Mr. Nava, an
engineer from Milano, and decorated with statues of
pottery by Mr. Provini (Milano)
and Mr. Repellini (
Two cement statues,
representing Faith and Hope, made by the Rossi Speluzzi factory,
In 1927, three
coat-of-arms (Bishop Giacinto Scapardini’s,
Saint Peter’s Basilica’s and Garlasco municipality’s)
were placed on the façade, with a decoration made by Mr. Emilio Tornagli,
In the first
decades of the last century the painters Mr. Emilio Tornagli,
Mr. Giovanni Panzarasa, Mr. Galli and Mr. Mazzocchi finished the inner decoration of the Sanctuary,
with contributions by Mr Biagio Canevari and Mr.
Giovanni Battista Garberini, who took charge of the frescoes; the flooring was
completed, and the Sanctuary got more and more adorned by the gifts devotees
brought.
In 1927, the
Sanctuary was given the title of “Basilica”; in 1954, a fountain was
built in the middle of the large square in front of the church.
On
In 1990
Monsignor Giovanni Locatelli, Bishop of Vigevano,
entrusted the present Rector of the Madonna della
Bozzola Sanctuary, Father Gregorio Vitali, of the
Holy Family Congregation, Bergamo, with the task of managing the restoration of the Sanctuary.
First of all, the
roofs and the outer structures were refurbished; later, the church courtyard
and the inner structures (including the frescoes) were completely restored.
On
In the following
years, two
altar-pieces were added: the former depicting the descent of the Holy Spirit on
the Virgin 
Mary,
the Apostles, Monsignor Giovanni Locatelli, Pope John Paul II and ordinary people; the latter represents Mary
pleading with Jesus and His Divine Mercy for the pilgrims’ needs.
Another important
project nearing completion is the ex-voto
gallery: along with the votive offerings, two groups of statues, dating back to the 18th
century, shall soon be placed; the former represents Christ’s Nativity and the
latter people crying, in local dialect so called “Karagnon”, over Christ’s dead
body.
In the 90s, Father
Gregorio Vitali, the Rector of the Sanctuary, started
a youth prayer group, “Apostoli e Servi
di Maria” (Apostles and Servants of Mary); its
members not only devote themselves to choir and liturgical services but also
take care of managing the Sanctuary
facilities and Café. In its tasks, this youth group is supported by many adult
and elderly people, 
especially
as regards the organization of the “Settembre Bozzolese” festival and of the Easter fair.
In 2003, the “Comunità Emmanuel” (Emmanuel Community) was born: lead by
Father Gregorio and Mr. Roberto Mandrini, it is a
recovery centre for young people with addiction problems, who are given, in the
Sanctuary area, a chance to start a new life, supported by many volunteers.
As for liturgical
services, it is important to mention the Holy Mass on Wednesdays at 08.45 p.m.;
this evening service is followed by the exposure of the Blessed Sacrament and
by a 
Prayer
for the Sick and for everyone needing relief from the troubles of everyday
life; moreover, every first Sunday of the month, the afternoon Mass is followed
by a special blessing for the couples experiencing difficulties in having
children.
Thanks God the
Sanctuary is now experiencing a lively and fruitful period showing that
Lomellina area is not only famous for fog, frogs, rice and mosquitoes but also
for this Sanctuary, where people can meet God and be blessed by Him through
Virgin Mary’s intercession.