THE HISTORY OF APPARITIONS

MARY APPEARS AS “ROSA MYSTICA” IN MONTICHIARI AND FONTANELLE

Beginning of the apparitions in Montichiari in 1947

Montichiari with its suburb Fontanelle is a small town in Northern Italy, twenty kilometres from Brescia, the bishop’s town. It is situated in front of the Italian Alps in the fertile plain of the river Po. The name means in English, ‘Bright Mountains’. On a hill lies the old castle of St. Mary and the venerable Church of San Pancrazio.

In the little town of Montichiari, not far from the picturesque Lake Garda, which is surrounded by mountains, live 14,000 people. The town is situated at the edge of these “clear mountains” from which it derives its name, and close to the City of Brescia which is the Bishop’s town in the province of Lombardy, Northern Italy

First Apparition
In the spring of 1947, whilst praying in the chapel of the local hospital in Montichiari, nurse Pierina Gilli had an unforgettable experience. Mary, the Mother of God, appeared to her in a wonderful vision and magnificent light, as the exalted Lady, dressed in mauve, very sad and with tears in Her eyes that fell to the floor. Pierina noticed that Her heart was pierced by three swords; the first sword means: the unworthy celebration of Holy Mass and Communion unworthily received; the meaning of the second sword is: being unfaithful to, and giving up, the vocation as a priest or a religious; and the third sword means: betrayal of the Faith. Our Lady asked for “PRAYER, SACRIFICE, and PENANCE”. These were Her only words.

Second Apparition
Our Lady appeared to Pierina in a white dress. She was adorned with three beautiful roses: white, red and yellow, which Pierina was allowed to see in place of the three swords. The white rose represented the spirit of prayer, the red one represented the spirit of sacrifice, and the yellow rose the spirit of penance and conversion. Pierina had not yet recognised the Mother of God, and she asked the apparition therefore: “Please tell me, who are you?” In reply to this question She smiled and said: “I am the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of you. 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 of each month be celebrated as a Marian Day. Special prayers are to be said during the proceeding twelve days”. With an expression of great joy, She continued; “On this day I shall pour out vocational holiness and abundant graces on those religious orders and spiritual institutes who have honoured me especially. “I wish that the 13th July be celebrated each year in honour of the ‘Rosa Mystica’ (the Mystical Rose)”. Pierina asked whether a miracle would follow. Our Lady 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 offences have brought about the punishments and persecutions which are raging against the Church at the present time – will stop to offend Our Lord. They will again lead a life according to the original spirit of their saintly founders”. With these words the conversation ended. Now Our Lady explained to Pierina the meaning of the three swords and the three roses. A moving explanation which is to be taken quite seriously.

The first sword means loss of the vocation as a priest or a monk.
The second sword means priests, monks, and nuns who live in deadly sin.
The third sword means priests and monks who commit the treason of Judas. While giving up their vocation, they often lose also their faith, their eternal beatitude, and become enemies of the Church.

The white rose means the spirit of prayer.
The red rose means the spirit of expiation and sacrifice.
The yellow or gold rose means the spirit of penitence.

The seer, Pierina, interpreted the words “Mystical Rose” as follows: “Mary is the master teacher of the innermost, mystical life and the mother of the mystical body of Christ; in other words: She is the Mother of the Church”. This interpretation by Pierina was magnificently confirmed by Pope Paul VI in his final speech during the third meeting of the Council, on 21st November, 1964. Irrespective of the presence of observers from the separated Churches, he declared Mary as the Mother of the Church; finally, he let his heart speak out and said: “We want that, in the future, the Most Blessed Virgin is still more honoured under this title, and called by this lovely title by the Christian people”. This short, yet spiritually deep declaration, by the supreme office of our Church guarantees that we cannot go wrong, but can only feel once more re-assured when we venerate Mary calling Her by the title ROSA MYSTICA.

Third Apparition on 22nd October, 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 realised, 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 offences, He already wanted to dispense His justice”. Pierina thanked Our Lady in the name of all present. Our Lady finished Her dialogue with the words: “Live out of love for - Charity!”

Fourth Apparition on 16th November, 1947.

Our Lady appeared in the Basilica of Montichiari in the presence of some people. Among them were several priests. Pierina heard the words: “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”. Pierina replied to Our Lady’s request with a willing “Yes”. The Blessed Virgin added: “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”. In reply to the seer’s question whether we may hope for forgiveness, Our Lady said: “Yes, as long as these sins are no longer committed”. With these words She went away.

Fifth Apparition on 22nd November, 1947.

Our Lady appeared once more to Pierina in the Basilica of Montichiari in the presence of several people, and demanded that the seer make four times the Sign of the Cross with her tongue on the tiles in the centre of the church. Our Lady then descended onto the spot and said: “I descend on this place, for many great conversions will happen here”. And in a sad voice She continued: “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 fulfil your demands for prayer and penance?” Our Lady replied full of tenderness: “Prayer”. After a short, silent pause, She explained: “Penance means to accept every day all the little crosses, and the duties too, in the spirit of penance”. Thereupon She promised solemnly: “On the 8th December, at noon, I shall appear again here in the Basilica. IT WILL BE THE HOUR OF GRACE”.

Pierina asked: “Please explain to me the meaning of ‘Hour of Grace’”. “This Hour of Grace will produce great and numerous conversions. Hardened and cold hearts resembling this marble will be touched by Divine Grace, and they will become faithful to Our Lord in loyal love”. This was the only time that Our Lady had announced Her next appearance. All other apparitions came unannounced.

Sixth Apparition on 7th December 1947.

Our Blessed Virgin appeared once more at the Basilica of Montichiari. Three people were present including the father confessor of the seer. Our Lady, the “Mystical Rose”, wore a white cloak which was held by a boy at the right-hand side, and by a girl on the left- hand side.

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”. And with an even sweeter voice She went on: “I wanted to bring my heart into Christian families in Bonate” (near Bergamo, Italy) and after a brief pause She added: “Here, in Montichiari, I wish to be venerated as the Rosa Mystica as already indicated so often, together with the devotion to my heart which must be specially practised 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. Pierina also wanted to know who the children were. Our Lady replied: “Jacinta and Francisco; they will help you in your trials and suffering. They too, suffered. 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: “Praised be the Lord!”

Seventh Apparition on 8th December 1947.

On this great feast countless priests were present. It was only with a great deal of effort that Pierina was able to get into the Basilica. She knelt in the centre of the church, just where the other apparitions had taken place. During the recitation of the Holy Rosary, Pierina called out: “O, Our Lady!”

Great silence ensued! Our Lady appeared on a large white staircase, decorated with white, red and yellow roses. She said with a smile: “I am the Immaculate Conception”. And “I am Mary, full of grace, Mother of My Divine Son Jesus Christ”. Descending even more, She said: “Through my coming to Montichiari, I wish to be know as the ROSA MYSTICA It is my wish that every year, on 8th 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”.

Then Our Lady showed Pierina her heart and said: “Look at this heart which loves mankind so very much, but most people only shower offences 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”. Our Lady smiled again and went on: “Soon one will recognise the greatness of this Hour of Grace”. When Pierina saw that Our Lady was going to depart, she said: “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”. She assured Pierina that she would return at a suitable time when the Secret entrusted to her, would be made public through the Ecclesiastical authority. Our Lady then said ‘good bye’. Pierina withdrew to a convent where, hidden from the world, she served in the kitchen and where she waited in silence for the hour which, as promised, came after 19 years, on White Sunday (Sunday after Easter), 17th April, 1966, in Fontanelle, a settlement of only a few houses spread around and situated about 2.3 km outside Montichiari. Our Blessed Lady kept her promise.

Miraculous Healing During this Apparition

Parents brought in the church a boy of about five or six years who was suffering from polio and could not stand or walk. Other parents brought their daughter, about twenty-six years old, who suffered since she was twelve years old from severe tuberculosis. She had not been able to utter a single word for the last nine years. In the same moment both were completely healed. The girl who had not been able to speak a word for the past nine years now sang with a full voice a song of praise. Since then she has been able to sing and speak without any difficulty.

The parents of the boy carried him in their arms into the church, now he could stand and walk. Later on he was shown in public from a balcony to the rejoicing crowd in the big square in front of the church. The whole crowd was deeply stirred when they saw the child jump up and down. He declared, “I have seen Our Lady in the church and she smiled at me benevolently”. Since that time both have been in good health. The boy married some years ago and the girl has become a pious God-fearing nun who is living only to expiate for the religious orders and priests.

A Third Miracle

The third miracle happened during the time of the appearance of Our Lady, not in the church of Montichiari, but in a private home of the town. A girl of about thirty-six years was healed at home during the time of the apparition. From childhood on she was not normal but also not completely mentally disturbed. She could not speak, but the worst thing was that she had no control over her bodily functions. Her sister-in-law had to stay with her at home while her father went to the cathedral to the anticipated appearance of Our Lady. Her sister-in-law prayed the holy Rosary at the time of the appearance and exclaimed spontaneously, “Our dear Lady, if you are really present in the Church of Montichiari, please heal this poor sick girl!” In the same moment the sick person was healed completely. She was healed forever! Loud and full of joy she prayed with her sister-in-law the holy Rosary to the end. When the father came home from the church, he was astonished and full of joy upon seeing his daughter healed.

This miracle especially caused a sensation and was later on declared to be the most important one by several physicians. As in this case, any mass suggestion had to be excluded. The healing was lasting. The girl died some years later, but one of her brothers is still alive and can witness to all this.

SECOND PHASE OF THE APPARITIONS IN FONTANELLE

By order of the Reverend Bishop of the diocese of Brescia, Monsignore Giacinto Tredici, Pierina spent several years in Brescia helping in a convent. The respected Father Giustino Carpin, who lived in the Franciscan monastery there, became her confessor and is still her spiritual director. In 1966 a new and second phase of the apparitions of St. Mary began. In February, 1966, Pierina was praying in her room in front of the altar of Our Lady when she had the great joy of seeing the Madonna again. Our Lady gave her consolation, a new courage, and predicted that there would be a new apparition at Fontanelle on the following Sunday after Easter, April 17, 1966.

Fontanelle is a part of Montichiari, some kilometres away from the church. Pierina had spent her childhood nearby, and so she knew Fontanelle very well. In Fontanelle there is a well and an old staircase that leads down to it. The Bishop of Brescia was informed about the predicted apparition of St. Mary in Fontanelle. He ordered Pierina to speak to nobody about it. Accompanied only by a girl-friend, she went to Fontanelle.

First Apparition in Fontanelle

First Apparition: White Sunday 17th April 1966.

On the Sunday after Easter, April 17, 1966, Pierina went up and down on the path above the well and prayed the Holy Rosary. About noon, after the Angelus, the dear Mother of the Lord appeared to her and said,  “My Divine Son is total love, and he is sending me to give miraculous powers to this spring….. As a sign of penance and purification kiss the top step”. Steps made of stone lead down from the path to the spring. “Then descend a few steps and kiss the stone again”.

Our Lady followed the seer. “Now, for a third time, kiss the bottom step and have a crucifix placed there”. With Her left hand Our Lady indicated the spot. “The sick and all my children must kiss the crucifix and ask my Divine Son for forgiveness before they take the water, or drink from it”. Our Lady approached the spring and said: “Take mud into your hands. Wash yourself with water! This is to teach the sinners that sin makes the soul dirty, yet the soul will be cleansed again through the water of grace. Thus, the sinner will once more be pleasing to God”. What a clear symbol of the sacramental grace of God! Our Lady bowed down and touched the water of the spring in two places. She added the following words: “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 (Montichiari).

It is my wish, and I repeat: the sick should come to this miraculous spring and many of my children should come with them”. I wish you further to tell the faithful they have first to go to the church and adore my Divine Son Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Afterwards they are to come here. First they are to give thanks to the Lord who is so benignant and merciful, and who gave so much love and grace to Montichiari”. With these words she rose in the air, opened her arms and her cloak, which filled an immense space in the universe. From her arm hung a white Rosary. Below on the right side of her cloak one could see the Church of Montichiari where the apparitions in 1947 had occurred. On the right side of the cloak one saw also the ‘Castle of St. Mary’, a castle built in the Middle Ages on a hill near Montichiari.

This castle has now become by Divine Providence a centre and home for the sick, the suffering, and old people. Sometime ago it was for sale and an interested party wanted to transform it into an evil nightclub. When the parish priest of Montichiari learned about these plans, he tried to check then by all means. People prayed a lot, especially to the ‘Rosa Mystica’. The idea of buying the castle for the purpose of charity was an inspiration from heaven. For this idea a well known apostle of charity, who had already founded several homes for the sick, the suffering, and old people in Italy, was found. It was Monsignore Luigi Novarese. He purchased the castle and transformed it into a home with a house-chapel for old and sick priests. The parish priest of Montichiari, Monsignore Rossi, invited also the Bishop of Fatima, Monsignore Joao Pereira Venancio, for the solemn inauguration. The bishop was immensely interested in the apparition of the ‘Rosa Mystica’. Some priests were already spending their last years in the castle of St. Mary. Sometimes retreats are held for the movement of Monsignore Luigi Novarese. The former parish priest of Montichiari (1945-1971), Monsignore Abate Francesco Rossi, declared, “For me this is a visible and very great miracle of the ‘Rosa Mystica’, because the old Castle of St. Mary has now become a place of prayer, penitence and love, instead of a place of sin”.

On the left side, under the cloak of the Virgin, which seemed immensely wide, Pierina saw a large complex of buildings. These were the future Homes of Charity, which will be erected around the fountain. The Mother of God said, “I wish and repeat that the sick and all my children are to come here to the ‘spring of grace’”. With a wonderful smile she disappeared towards heaven. During this first apparition in Fontanelle, some children were playing near the well who later said at home, “Pierina Gilli has seen the Madonna near the well”.

Second Apparition: 13th May, 1966

On 13th May, Our Lady’s anniversary of Her apparition at Fatima, Our Lady brought great joy to Pierina when She appeared once again at the spring, in the presence of about 20 people. It was 11.40am. Our Lady said amongst other things: “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 Montichiari to bring you the grace of His love…. It requires PRAYER, SACRIFICE AND PENANCE in order to save mankind”.

Our Lady, pointing to the water at Her right-hand side which She had touched on 17th April, 1966, said: “It is my wish that a comfortable basin is 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”. Pierina wanted to know from the Blessed Virgin what to call the spring. Thereupon Our Lady replied: “THE SPRING OF GRACE” And in reply to a further question: “What is your name?” Pierina was told: “ROSA MYSTICA” At these words, the Mother of God spread out Her arms, spread open Her wide cloak, and said 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”. The seer questioned the meaning of the wide cloak. Our Lady answered: “This is the meaning of my love which embraces the whole of mankind”. Pierina asked: “What would you like us to do here at Fontanelle?” Our Lady replied: “Do acts of charity for the sick, who will come here”.

Third Apparition: The Feast of Corpus Christi, 9th June, 1966.

About 100 people were present at the spring on this Day of Obligation. Pierina came to the Shrine after 3pm and asked all those present to recite the Holy Rosary. Suddenly, in the middle of the recitation, Pierina called out: “Look up to the sky!” This time, Our Lady appeared five to six metres above the spring over a wheat field. Those present noticed that, in the direction of the seer’s eyes, Our Lady seemed to touch the ears of the wheat with Her feet.

Our Lady said: “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”. Spreading out Her hand She continued: “I should like very much that this wheat be transformed into the Eucharistic bread, into countless penitential communions”. Majestically, lifting Her eyes to Heaven, Our Lady went on: “It is my wish that the Hosts made of this wheat, be taken to Rome, and to Fatima for the 13th October”.

Pierina asked: “Should all this wheat be used for it?”
 
Our Lady replied: “May noble hearts fulfil my wish…. I wish that a chapel be built here with a statue facing the spring”.

Pierina said: “Dear Blessed Virgin, I do not understand”.

Our Lady showed her an image and said: “The statue is to be carried here in a procession on 13th October, 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”.

Pierina saw that Our Lady was going to leave, so she asked Her to stay a little longer. Our Lady lingered and Pierina was allowed to commend several petitions and to request Our Lady’s blessing for the priests, the faithful and the sick.

When Pieirina asked whether she would come again, the Virgin remained silent, but in parting She said with great love: “I shall always be with you!”

Fourth Apparition: The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, 6th August, 1966

Pierina came to the spring at about 2.30pm. About 200 people had gathered there. At 3pm the seer asked all to recite the Holy Rosary. During the fourth mystery she stopped, and called out: “Our Lady is here”. Everyone was silent, and they all listened with emotion to the dialogue with Heaven.

The Mother of God said: “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 13th October. 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 enquired 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”.

Pierina wanted to know what to do with the remaining wheat.

Our Lady answered: “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 ascension into Heaven I have always acted as Mediatrix between my Son Jesus and the whole of mankind. How many graces I have 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”.

Pierina recommended to Our Lady the priests, religious mothers with children who were present, and all those who work for her in this cause, that the Blessed Virgin might fulfil their wishes. She recommended to her also all who venerate and love her in a special way. Then she asked where the roof for the spring should be built.

The answer was. “Some yards away from the well”.

Pierina asked again, “Dear Mother of God, why don’t you perform a miracle so that people may believe me?”

The answer was, “The people have already confirmed it”. With these words Our Lady departed towards heaven.

By the way, the wishes of the Mother of God with regard to the wheat were fulfilled. Part of it was sent to the Holy Father in Rome who blessed it. Part of it was taken to the then-reigning Bishop of Fatima, Joao Pereira Venancio, who took it with him to Fatima. The rest was sent to parishes in Rome and people who had asked for it. Many hosts were baked and consecrated for Holy Communion of expiation, especially in Fatima.

From August 6, 1966, until the present day, the dear Mother of Christ continues to distribute her graces. She disperses them especially to those persons who have her wishes and messages at heart and become apostles for their neighbours. Nobody works in vain for the cause of God and His most Blessed Mother. After these revelations of Our Lady, Pierina withdrew once more into a life of peaceful retirement. In addition, the bishop ordered her to remain absolutely silent. Pierina obeyed the bishop’s order. The things that are forbidden are very tempting, and very soon the message of the apparition of Our Lady spread around the world drawing floods of pilgrims to Montichiari and Fontanelle.

FURTHER APPARITIONS

October 13, 1969 at Noon

Pierina had an apparition of Our Lady who promised to cover all those with her mantle who are recommended to her . . . Nobody will be lost if others sacrifice and pray for them.

February 14, 1970

“Pierina, I come once more and ask for prayer and expiation. So many souls are in danger of being eternally lost. Sacrifices are needed to save them . . . In Montichiari I gave my whole love . . . Look, my love covers the whole world. You, little creature, were the channel through which I gave my love, and I give it again for souls. Giving love! Nothing is greater! The love of God and the love of the neighbour is a prayer that ascends to the Lord! With it we give ourselves and therefore everything! Suffer for love! Give in secret and speak by prayer!”

May 19, 1970

This apparition has a special, far-reaching meaning. Our Lady appeared as usual in her white mantle, her heart adorned with the three roses – white, red and golden. Over the right arm she is wearing a big Rosary which does not end in a cross, but in a medal. Our Lady spreads her arms and shows in the palms of her hands a round golden medal. With her right hand she shows the picture on the obverse side:

St Mary, with folded hands on a staircase, her head inclined slightly to the left. Above her head, three roses, and roses also at her feet on the staircase. At the right side of Our Lady, the inscription ‘Rosa’; at the left side, ‘Mystica’. In the palm of her left hand, Our Lady then showed the reverse side: a round church with a dome and three big gates. Above is the inscription: ‘Maria Madre della Chiesa’ which means ‘Mary, Mother of the Church’. “It is my wish that a medal be struck like the one which I am showing you. With the inscription on the front: ‘Rosa Mystica’ and on the reverse, ‘Mary, Mother of the Church’.

Then she went on, “The Lord chose to send me here to Montichiari to bring the presence of His love, to bring the spring of graces, and to bring the present of this medal of my motherly love. Look, I have intervened to spread this medal, the present of universal love. My children will wear it on their hearts. Everywhere people will wear this medal . . . I promise my motherly protection and graces to all. Today the world wants to destroy the love and veneration that human beings always had or me . . . but the medal of my motherly love is the sign that my children will always have me with them, the Mother of the Lord! The Mother of humanity! Look, this is the triumph of universal love; the blessing of the Lord and my love will always be with those who resort to me!” January 17, 1971

“People are no longer seeking God! . . . Oh, the Church of my Divine Son Jesus Christ! . . . What a battle it is fighting! . . . Therefore I spread my mantle of love over humanity. Prayers of love and expiation are necessary . . . Humanity is running, running towards ruin . . . So many souls will be eternally lost . . . Oh, poor Church of my Divine Son Jesus Christ! . . . Pray, children! Be penitential! . . . This is the suppliant call of the Mother of the Lord!”

Daughter! In these times it is necessary to flock together in prayer and love round the Lord. So many of His children abandon and despise Him. He needs loyal and strong souls to prove to the world that my Divine Son Jesus Christ has sacrificed Himself to reveal His Heart of merciful love. I came to Montichiari to speak about this love of the Lord, to call souls to the love of God and the love of the neighbour. This is the message of the Mother of the Lord”.

By order of the bishop, Pierina Gilli has not been allowed to go to Fontanelle since 1966. In obedience, she acts according to this interdiction, but Our Lady is not bound by a human interdiction or to a special place. Pierina reports further apparitions. For instance, the following: “I was kneeling in prayer before the altar of the dear Mother of God when my eyes noticed a strong light. I saw a big staircase like the one I had seen on the festival of the Immaculate Conception in 1947 in the church of Montichiari when there were some thousand people present.

At the top of the staircase, a big golden gate opened, flooded with golden light. Over the staircase was written in big letters of orange-red light:

‘Fiat della Creazinoe’, which means Fiat of the Creation. A little lower was another writing in shining blood-red:
 
‘Fiat della Redenzione’, which means Fiat of the Redemption. Again, a little lower in shining sky blue:

‘Maria della Corredenzione’, which means Mary Co-Redemptrix.

Our Lady was standing on top of the staircase with widespread arms from which yellow tongues of light fell down on a great crowd of human beings at the bottom of the staircase. Our Lady herself did not speak but smiled at me but a wonderful angelic voice said, “Mary’s Fiat which she spoke to the angel made her Mother of God and Mother of the whole of humanity. It may be compared with the Fiat of the creation because by her Fiat she received all graces from God the Father”. Then Pierina heard an angelic voice singing psalms, “Mary, Mother of God, Mother of Grace, be glorified by all men and through all ages!”

Especially stirring is the urgent desire of St. Mary: “Pray the Rosary!” which she repeated in several apparitions. “My daughter! Look at the Holy Rosary! All who recite the beads will receive many graces from me. It is a strong connection to my Heart. It glorifies the Lord, the King of Heaven and King of the Universe”.

“Tell all who love me that they are to expiate the many offences which are done to my Divine Son Jesus Christ. Children, love each other! Love God and love thy neighbour! Make sacrifices of love! Prayer is love which ascends to heaven!” (La preghiera e amore che sale al Cielo).

January 17, 1971

“A well prayed Rosary is a bond of intercession, a contemplation of the mysteries of faith . . . a prayer of the Lord . . . a prayer for the glorification of the Most Holy Trinity when you pray, ‘Glory be to the Father’ . . . Tell my children, they must pray the Rosary . . . it is a ring of faith, which gives light to the prayer. It is a bond of union, of glory and intercession”.

July 25, 1971

“Pierina, I desire this to be a place of prayer where you shall invite people to pray the Rosary. It is a prayer that is very pleasing to the Lord”. New Urgent Requests of St Mary of October 12, 1968 “Tell all my children who have fulfilled my request to make expiator Communion that I shall give them the superabundance of graces! Tell all who come to the well which I have blessed to venerate me there. It is my desire that one prays here the Holy Rosary. I shall come there myself with the angels of heaven to offer these prayers to the Lord. So shall many hearts be united in the same love there . . . heaven and earth! How many graces these children get! I see everything and I bless everything”.

August 5, 1972

Our Lady speaks as if in great pain, “Times become dark, full of confusion and horror, but if the people pray and do penance, this Heart of the Mother will once more get light, love and peace for the whole world from the Lord, my Divine Son Jesus Christ. The mercy of the Lord is always provided for in God’s plan of salvation. By now the time to speak has come. It is the time when men attack the works of God and also deny that He has chosen me as His Mother. I am the Mother of the Lord and the Mother of love for all humanity. Children, love one another with brotherly love and the peace of the Lord will triumph”.

Important Apparition – July 22, 1973

Pierina Gilli reports, “I was sitting in my small kitchen writing letters. Outside there was a thunderstorm. Suddenly I noticed a light in the chapel of the Madonna. First I thought the electricity had come on again because during the thunderstorm the lights had gone out. So I went there to switch it off, but what a surprise! Our Lady was there! What a joy! I thanked her at once for her coming. She smiled lovingly and said, “Ora e sempre! That means: Now and always” . She paused “The Lord has sent me to bring His love to humanity, His mercy, my motherly invitation so that my children may feel the beating of my Heart. I desire my wishes to be fulfilled. Fontanelle will be transformed into a lighthouse of prayer – of penitence”.

I asked, “What prayers and acts of penitence should be accomplished?”

Our Lady answered, “Prayers of Faith,
Prayers of Love, Prayers of Benediction,
Prayers of Petition”.
Smilingly she said, “Pray the Holy Rosary”.

She remained silent for some moments, then went on, “Yes, also at this place I do desire penance to expiate the sins of men. In this intention one must go on foot from the bridge to Fontanelle and pray – pray! I do wish people to begin with this practice at once. Until now there have been only a few who have done so”.

“I asked Our Lady whether one should go by oneself?”
She answered, “Yes, but also in groups and processions, saying prayers of penitence”.
 
I said, “I will tell them”.

Then I took courage and asked, “I have a big question to ask: Our dear Lady, why did you reveal yourself under the name of ‘Rosa Mystica’? What meaning has this for the holy Church?”

Smiling she replied, “This is no new devotion. It is connected and begins with the moment when my Divine Son Jesus became a human being”. (Pause). “The Fiat of Redemption and the Fiat of my cooperation is symbolized in the most beautiful flower, (solemnly) Rosa Mystica. I am the Immaculate Conception – the Mother of our Lord Jesus – the Mother of Grace – the Mother of the Mystical Body, the Church.

Therefore, my Divine Son Jesus Christ sent me in 1947 to Montichiari where I touched with my feet the floor in the middle of the church amidst so many of my children . . . that should have revealed that I am Mary, the Mother of the Mystical Body, the Church . . . that meant an invitation to all children of the Church to prayer, penitence and expiation. Dark times of ungodliness were beginning. Love for the Lord and (Mary is weeping) for his Mother was diminishing. But, if people listen to this invitation, the graces of the Lord and His unending mercy towards the Church will let the ‘Rosa Mystica’ blossom again. Montichiari will become the mountain from which the mystical light will radiate to the whole world. Yes, that will happen . . .”

LATER APPARITIONS (1974-1976) May 15, 1974

“I was praying the Holy Rosary in my oratory”, reports Pierina Gilli. “I was oppressed by great anxiety. When at the suggestion of the Very Rev. Bishop, Monsignor Giacinto Tredeci, I was obliged to spend several years at a convent in Brescia, I got to know a devout and good widow who proved very helpful and beneficial to me. She was now dying and needed much unselfish nursing, day and night. Time after time I undertook to nurse her and stay with her at night. At this time too, a serious illness occurred in my own family. As I had to be busy helping everywhere, my usual prayers and pious devotions were somewhat neglected. This inner need was worrying me as I said the Rosary. Suddenly, quite unexpectedly, Our Lady appeared in a glorious heavenly light, and spoke immediately, “Nothing is lost in the Heart of my Divine Son Jesus Christ. Works of neighbourly love are also prayers. Genuine love of one’s neighbour is also true love of God. If only earth’s children would understand the true love of God! What peace would prevail on earth if only true love of the neighbours were practiced! Instead of this, they offend the Lord by grave sin! Today a time has come when man exalts himself even above God, and he lives in a pagan and Godless manner. This is the real evil into which the majority of men have fallen with their erroneous views, which are broadcast throughout the world. As a result, a large number of people are lost”. (Our Lady spoke these words with great sadness). But then the expression of her face changed to one of great joy, and she continued, “But there are silent and obscure souls who pray, make sacrifices and atonement; these continue to call down the mercy of the Lord! I have so often pleaded to bring the message of love, but people remain deaf to this heartfelt request of this their Mother”. (A number of private and personal messages followed at this point). As she left, she said, “In this chapel where so many prayers are said, and to which so many of my children come with their troubles and sorrows, I am always close to them, to grant them the graces of my Divine Son Jesus Christ”. Then she first folded her hands, raised them towards heaven and gave the holy blessing in the words, “May our Motherly blessing descend upon you, upon this house, and upon all objects of devotion . . .Pray, always pray! Help me to bring others to pray a great deal. I am ever close to you with my Motherly protection”. (Then she vanished).

June 29, 1974 (Feast of SS. Peter and Paul and Name Day of Pierina Gilli)

“It was 10 A.M.” reports Pierina Gilli, “and I was saying the Rosary in my chapel. I was praying primarily for my good benefactor Mary . . . who had been seriously ill for some months and was in much pain. Quite unexpectedly, in the midst of my prayer, the Madonna appeared. What a joy! She immediately took up my thoughts and cares, and said, before I could say anything myself, “She will soon be with me in heaven”. She spoke full of joy and kindness, (My good benefactor died a few days afterwards). “All the offerings and sufferings which are sanctified by good intentions become again superabundant graces for the whole world and for the soul itself, a very great reward in heaven!”

“I then recommended to the Madonna various sick people and many cares and sorrows which people had entrusted to me. To this she answered, “I am always very close to you with my motherly love”.

“After this, I said, Dear Lady, on the 13th July, the anniversary of one of your appearances, many pilgrims will be coming and will want to hold a service of prayer and atonement in Fontanelle, especially for priests, religious and good vocations. While I was still speaking, the Madonna showed me, in a picture there, a vast concourse of people, and said, “Tell these my children that I love them dearly and that their prayers and sacrifices of love will be repaid with superabundant graces even in this life, but, more especially, they will one day rejoice in heaven when they see these their offerings of love for the Holy Church shining gloriously there”.

Pierina Gilli continues, “Suddenly an earlier, particularly impressive appearance of the Madonna flooded into my mind (that of January 13, 1951). In this she had shown herself in a door-arch, bathed in a golden light; gleaming inscriptions became visible: ‘Fiat della Creazione’, ‘Fiat della Redenzione’. and ‘Maria della Corredenzione’. Then I did not only have this glorious sight, but I had heard a fabulous choir singing. So I asked her “Were they the heavenly angels? At this, her whole form became majestically radiant, and she said, “Yes, indeed, they were the holy angels. Happy is the man who commends himself to his guardian angel, and follows his intimations. For the guardian angel is always very concerned for the soul entrusted to his care. When then the soul receives heavenly bliss as a merited reward, he will fetch her, and she will be able to join with him and the choirs of heavenly angels in the joy of the almighty God and Father in heaven”.

“At these words the Madonna’s cloak suddenly opened out and became immense like the great dome of heaven, just as I had seen it before. Suddenly I saw tens of thousands of holy angels who enlarged and formed this cloak. There were small, large and quite powerful angels, their ranks extending downwards endlessly. They wore splendid garments, crowns, filets and all possible sorts of symbols. They broadened and extended the Madonna’s cloak over the immense dome of heaven. Under them I saw quite close to the holy angels a great concourse of human beings upon a vast plain.

Among them were bishops, many priests, religious, and many men, women and children. Many of them, especially one bishop, several priests and acquaintances I could recognise quite distinctly. Most of tem were unknown to me”. All together, angels and men, sang in chorus, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord! Love, honour and glory be His through endless ages! Mother of God, Mother of Grace, may you, too, be glorified by heaven and earth”.

Pierina Gilli added, “I do not know how long this majestic vision of heaven lasted. I was rapt in such a fire of love that I was simply incapable any longer of thinking or asking anything else. I then became aware that the Madonna was preparing to depart. I begged her, as usual, for her blessing. She first raised her hands towards heaven, solemnly made the sign of the cross with her right hand, saying, “The blessing of the Lord descend upon you, upon all children who love me, upon all the objects of devotion which you have with you, and this blessing, united with my Motherly love, shall apply also more especially to those people who diligently say the Holy Rosary, and wear my medal over their hearts”.

“At parting, she said solemnly, “Vive d’amore” i.e. Live entirely of love – of love of God and of neighbour!” Pierina responded, “O what will heaven be one day! Lord, I thank you for your abounding love”.

September 8, 1974

“It was towards 1 p.m.”, Pierina Gilli reports, “and I was praying the Holy Rosary in my chapel. Our Lady appeared quite unexpectedly. As always she was full of beauty, light and goodness. She said to me, “I am Mary, the Mother of the Church. For this Church, for the Holy Father, for the priests and for all the children of the Church. I beseech prayer, prayer, prayer, so that the true love of the Lord may return to the hearts of men, true love of neighbour, too, genuine love of neighbour!” I answered, “Yes, dear Madonna, with your help I will do what you ask, and spread your message!”
 
“Suddenly Our Lady showed me the façade of a great church with five round arches. Upon the middle of the central arch stood something like a small column or a cross, from the centre of which shining, glittering rays shone out far into the sky. The central arch enclosed the nave of the church. On left and right two other arches enclosed the aisles. Thus the whole constituted a church of five naves. I then perceived the exterior and chief façade of this church into which five doors gave entrance. Then I saw inside the church. It was full of people, of all colours and races, white, black, yellow etc. When I asked the Madonna, “Please dear Lady, what is the meaning of this church?” She replied, “The Lord, my Divine Son Jesus Christ, has sent me to make a present to all mankind. He desires that in Fontanelle such a church should be built. With the five round arches, naves and cupolas, it is meant to signify that He would like to enfold all five continents in His arms”.

“After a pause she continued, “Call particularly upon the protection of the holy Archangel Michael so that he may defend the Church against all threatening persecutions. For the Church never was in greater danger than now. I make a petition continually for her. From this little place, too, light will radiate”. Suddenly the Madonna shone in even greater majesty and said, “In very truth the Lord’s light will come!” Pierina Gilli thereupon replied, “We thank you dear Lady for all your great love towards us, but how am I to inform the Church authorities of your wishes?”

Pierina Gilli said, “My voice suddenly gave out, my throat hurting considerably, for on this very morning, the feast of Mary’s birth, the placards denouncing the apparitions had again appeared on the doors of the cathedral in Montichiari. For some time before, they had disappeared; it was obvious that they had been freshly printed”. Monsignor Rossi, in a speech of September 20, 1974, referred to this again when he said, “This declaration against the credibility of the apparitions of the ‘Rosa Mystica’ in Montichiari is most offensive to every notion of truth, justice and love.

Above all, the German translation in which the expression ‘Mary worship’ is twice used, is not only a serious violation of Catholic teaching concerning the honouring of Mary, but a real blasphemy of the Madonna, which will not go unpunished”. Monsignor Rossi said he had already observed that particularly violent opponents of the appearances had died a sudden and unexpected death. “God does not tolerate mockery. Above all He does not allow His Mother to be insulted with impunity. In any case, I know one thing, that the bishop of Brescia, Monsignor Luigi Morstabilini is not behind these placards. When making a visitation in Montichiari he was unable to get a sight of them, and so during his stay in Montichiari, they were removed, but they were replaced after his departure. I heard also the following statement from the bishop, “I am being constantly pressed from various quarters to issue strong prohibitions against the veneration of the ‘Rosa Mystica’, and to denounce the great stream of pilgrims coming to Montichiari; but if a genuine apparition of the Madonna were involved here, I should be taking on a serious responsibility and be blameworthy, and this I want to avoid at all costs”.

Here it should be noted once again that Monsignor Rossi was for twenty-two years the parish priest of Montichiari (1949-1971). He is now living in retirement, but, at the same time, he is still a Canon (a member of the Chapter of the diocese of Brescia). He goes there almost every morning to fulfil his official duties. He is thus still in a very responsible post in the diocesan government. In consequence, he is well aware of the bishop’s attitude to the Montichiari appearances of the Madonna. He repeatedly emphasizes that “there is no real prohibition of the visit to Montichiari. The bishop has not authorized these posters. They do not bear his signature, nor was he able to get a glimpse of them when he made his pastoral visitation.

“When I saw these placards on the cathedral doors again, on the feast day of Our Lady’s Birth”, Pierina Gilli further reports, “I felt a stab in my heart and suffered throughout the morning from this pain. It was obvious that Our Lady, too, understood this pain within me and said with unusual warmth, “I have already taken steps in this matter . . . I have already spoken to the hearts of dear children and encouraged them to become anew messengers of my love, my news and of neighbourly love”. “Saying this”, reports Pierina Gilli, “the Madonna suddenly showed me a picture, and there I saw around the Madonna, the Holy Father, a considerable number of bishops (one of whom I recognized), and many priests, of whom, again, I recognized several distinctly. There were also many religious and lay folk, a great multitude upon whom Our Lady gazed full of love, and who, for their part, looked up to her with love. Filled with courageous joy, I begged the Madonna’s blessing for them all. Then she said, “I am always near them to strengthen them with the Lord’s grace, but tell them to pray, make sacrifices, and atonement in love more than ever”.

Then Pierina Gilli answered, “Many thanks, dear Mother. How I wish that you were honoured and loved much more by all! Therefore, I beg you to help me for I am so small and poor. Then the Madonna smiled kindly at me, making with her right hand a touchingly loving gesture, which was intended to express, “I’ll help you”.

Then she folded her hands, raised her eyes towards heaven and as usual gave the holy blessing, saying, “May the blessing of the Lord descend upon this place. It shall apply to all those whom you wish to enclose in your heart”. Then she became even more radiant as she said, “Praised, loved and glorified be the Lord of Heaven and of every place on this earth”.

Then she left me”, reports Pierina Gilli, “Oh, how good is Our Lady! She had seen the dreadful pain in my heart and had come immediately to console me. One would need the language of angels worthily to sing the praises of heaven’s Mother!”

January 30, 1975

“I was praying in my chapel”, Pierina Gilli reports, “when, quite unexpectedly, at about 9.15 p.m., the Madonna appeared and said, “The times are getting worse and worse . . . a terrible danger is threatening . . . the Church, too, is in great danger . . . Things will get so bad that people will think all is lost, but I am after all a Mother who has a living Heart for her children and would save them. I, therefore, intercede lovingly for their protection. I ask for prayers and am always at hand to accept them, especially the prayers and offerings of the quiet, obscure souls, who gladly make sacrifices and atonement for others; I seek the prayers of the priests, too. For these loving sacrifices will contribute to my return to the Church in a manner more splendid than ever”. With an expression full of sadness, she continued, “As you can observe for yourself, human pride has resulted in confusing those in the highest offices of the Church. They wish to drive me, the Mother, out of the Holy Church and tear me from the children’s hearts. The love of my Divine Son Jesus Christ will send Light. It will be so glorious a light that He will rule eternally as King of heaven and earth with all the honour due to Him”. Now the Madonna blazed in glorious majesty, and added, “And the honour due to this His Mother, too, as it always used to be in the Church”. Pierina Gilli answered, “Thank you, dear Madonna, I will report it to the Church leaders so that your wishes will be fulfilled!” Then the Madonna went on, “Yes, do inform them that I bring to souls love, peace and harmony, and with all my Heart, I pour upon them the abundant graces of the Lord”.

“Now”, Pierina Gilli reports further, “I was able to bring before the Madonna a large number of intentions which people had recommended to me. To this the Madonna replied, “Pierina, how very pleased I am when you ask me for such things with so much trust . . . Tell all good and noble souls that have already cooperated and who will continue zealously to cooperate that I promise them all quite specially my Motherly protection and abundance of graces . . . Pierina, pray and help to make more and more people pray so that the Lord’s mercy may flood over all mankind, which is in great danger. I am burning with love and desire to save the world”.

April 8, 1975

“I was praying in my chapel at about 6.25 in the morning”, Pierina Gilli reports, “when the Madonna appeared quite unexpectedly in marvellous beauty and in very bright light. Smiling kindly she said, “I am very pleased that now at last a small part at least of what I asked some time ago has been done, that is to say, that my statue should be carried in procession to Fontanelle”.

(“At the third appearance in Fontanelle on ‘Corpus Christ’. June 9, 1966, Our Lady had requested, “I desire that here under a canopy a statue be built looking towards the spring. I desire that the statue shall be brought here in procession for the 13th October, but before that, I desire that the people of Montichiari shall be consecrated to my Immaculate Heart. Montichiari is the place which my Divine Son wishes to choose, in order to dispense the graces of His love”.)

Explanation “The parish priest at that period, Monsignor Abate Francesco Rossi”, Pierina Gilli explains, “had ordered a statue about two metres high to be made by the Perathoner family in St. Ulrich Grodnertal, and had had a small chapel constructed on the spot where, at ‘Corpus Christi’, June 9, 1966, the Madonna had appeared over the ripe wheat field. In this chapel it was supposed to stand in the same place and at the same height as did the Madonna at that appearance. When the statue was completed and brought to Montichiari, such a storm rose over the plans of the priest, especially in church circles, that the solemn dedication in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the associated solemn procession with the statue to Fontanelle, as requested by the Madonna, had to be abandoned. The statue was carried in silence towards evening to the small chapel on the road to Carpenedolo. Right in front, on the top of the gable of the roof, there is a small statue of the Madonna, and about 150 metres farther on along the good, tarred road, a bad, rough track to the right leads over a small bridge to Fontanelle, a distance of about one kilometre. Early in the morning, before 5 a.m., on the instructions of the priest, the statue was carried by a few men as unobtrusively as possible to Fontanelle and set up in the chapel”.

Then the Madonna shone with an unusually bright light, and said, “This place, Fontanelle, where the water gushes so abundantly has been specially blessed by the Lord and is also sanctified by my appearance and presence. Here many of my children will be granted great graces. Here I will give superabundant graces to all those children of mine who love me, honour me, and bring offerings.

Pierina Gilli continued, “On the previous day someone had informed me of an evil slander against me. When now the memory of this occurred to me, the Madonna went straight to it, saying, “My Divine Son Jesus Christ was nailed to the Cross also because people did not believe Him, but in His great love He died forgiving them. You forgive them, too, as lovingly as He did. Offer up your hurt generously and pray for the slanderers. At your next Holy Communion renew once again this offering of loving forgiveness”.

Pierina Gilli continued, “I asked, Dear Madonna, please tell me in advance when you are going to appear. To this she replied, “It is the Lord’s will that my appearances are not announced in advance”.

Now I was able to spread before the Madonna many intentions which had been recommended to me and to ask her holy blessing on all co-workers, on the sick, etc. Then Our dear Lady answered with wonderful love and kindness, “Tell then all that I love them and grant then heavenly graces. Pray and love one another, all you are my children!” (Saying this, the Madonna showed me a picture – many people I knew, and many I did not know). “Remain together in love and peace, and one day you will be with me for ever in heaven”.

When I begged her for her blessing on all the objects of devotion, Our Lady said full of kindness and joy, “May the blessing of the Lord come down abundantly on them”. Now the Madonna suddenly showed herself in unutterable pain. Sobbing tearfully, she lamented heartrendingly, “Oh, if you only knew how many of my children are going the way that leads to destruction!” A little later, she appeared in a specially splendid light, and said joyfully, with great determination, “The prayers, offerings and penance of so many people prevent the true judgement of God from falling upon mankind. In my love I am always pleading with my Son Jesus Christ. Quietly pray and make sacrifice!”

The following also happened: At 11 a.m. on Whit Sunday, April 6, 1975, the first penitential procession with the statue of the ‘Rosa Mystica’ took place. This statue, one metre high, was made by the Perathoner family of St. Ulrich in the Grodnertal, near Bozen. Screwed to the bearing platform, it can be easily and safely carried in procession by four people. On Whit Sunday, 1975, heavy snowstorms swept over the whole Alpine area, causing many avalanches. On this account, many of the pilgrims could not traverse the Alpine passes and to their great sorrow had to turn back. The other who had got over the passes before the avalanches had occurred had on the return journey many difficulties and often long waits. For most pilgrims, these days of the feast of Whitsun were associated with much trouble and many sacrifices. Nevertheless, C. 200 people from Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Italy were able to take part in this first penitential procession with the statue”. In the afternoon after two there was another penitential procession from Fontanelle to the bridge and back, altogether about two kilometres. Owing to the rainy weather, the statue could not accompany the pilgrims, of whom there were many just the same.

In the evening of this Whit Sunday, towards five o’clock, a frightful storm blew up from the west moving eastwards. To the east the sky became a bluish black. When it began to rain heavily, a brilliant sun blazed quite remarkably from the west into this falling rain. This produced two complete and splendid rainbows, one above the other. They were of indescribable beauty and colour. Later, many local inhabitants, who were elderly, claimed that they could not remember ever to have seen so marvellous a display of natural forces in this place. Was it intended to be a sign of the dear Mother of Heaven? Perhaps, first a sign of her pleasure in all the sacrifices, trials, and child-like love and trust of the pilgrims of those days: but rather, perhaps, a sign of consolation and hope for the future, with a request and an admonition, “Give Our Lady the love and honour which are her due. Fulfil her requests for prayer, sacrifice and penance; she will triumph gloriously, and peace will reign exactly as she promised at Fatima. Ever since Noah’s flood, the rainbow has been the heavenly token of grace”.

Early in the morning of the Tuesday following this Whit Sunday, Our Lady appeared and immediately expressed her pleased satisfaction with the first penitential procession with the statue. This is truly a very clear hint that we should take the words and requests of Our Lady very seriously and carry them out to the best of our ability. When heaven makes demands of us, it gives us the necessary grace to carry them out, and follows up their fulfilment by granting a blessing and a reward of truly heavenly proportions.

July 3, 1975

"When I returned, at about eight in the morning from the cathedral after Mass and Holy Communion”, Pierina Gilli reports, “I made as usual a second thanksgiving before the statue of the ‘Rosa Mystica’ in my chapel. Then Our Lady appeared again quite unexpectedly. At the sight of her, the following thoughts rushed into my mind, and the following words came to my lips, “Oh dear Madonna, how glad I am you have come again. At your last appearance I was as though spellbound and could not get a word out. I was so sorry afterwards”. 

On June 14, 1975, twelve statues of the ‘Pilgrim Madonna’, each seventy centimetres high, had been placed in Pierina Gilli’s chapel. As a priest (who was wearing a stole) was blessing them in the manner prescribed by the Roman Ritual in the presence of Pierina Gilli and her friend Lucia, the Madonna appeared quite briefly, said a few words, loving gave her blessing to all three and again disappeared. As soon as everything was over, Pierina Gilli’s numbness disappeared, and she fell on her knees earnestly to thank our dear Lady for the grace of the apparition and her blessing. Only afterwards did she become conscious that this time something unique had happened. Up to then she had always fallen on her knees at the beginning of an appearance and had remained kneeling throughout, and for some time afterwards. This time it had not so much as occurred to her. She could only look and listen, immobile and speechless. Only when the priest had completed the prayers of blessing could she relate what had just happened to her two companions, who had observed nothing.

Then she knelt and expressed her thanks for it, but the two who were with her noticed in the face of the visionary the indescribable glory of that ecstasy which had just ended. It was a facial expression such as the best of actors could not counterfeit.

Pierina continued, “Our Lady referred to this particular priest’s blessing of June 14, 1975, explaining as follows, “The priest’s blessing in this world is something so great that even I have to respect it when making an appearance. See, Pierina, that is why, at the time, I required of you no movement and no words. That was to emphasize the greatness and importance of the high dignity of the sacred priesthood as it was instituted by my Divine Son Jesus Christ”.

Pierina, tell all generous and loyal people who heed our invitation, and lovingly pray, and make atonement, even when they are ridiculed for it, that the Lord loves them, and I love them, too. With all my Heart I promise them rich heavenly blessings and many spiritual joys . . . Pierina, pray, pray, and help me to get others to pray. The times grow ever more calamitous through the effect of the satanic and godless delusion, which strives to undermine and destroy the work of the Divine Redeemer, the Lord of the whole universe. Now is the time for prayer, the hour for good example, the hour for sacrifice for loyalty and courageous effort. In mutual love go on working boldly together to implore peace and harmony in the Church”. At this point Our Lady became significantly more radiant (Surely to indicate that her following words were of very special importance).

“Indeed, I am the Mother full of love for her children. I want to help and save. Montichiari, to which I have come with the Lord’s message will acquire a powerful significance. A great and glorious light will go from here into a great number of souls throughout the world. For this, you must suffer in silence and make offerings lovingly. Broadcast everywhere the love of this Mother’s Heart”.

“I was now able to set before Our Lady”, Pierina Gilli reports, “many intentions and requests, which people had brought to me. To these she said very kindly, “Yes, tell them all that I take them all under my special gracious protection and in particular those who generously help to get my wishes fulfilled” Saying this, Our Lady showed (Pierina) a large picture with many people in it, some of whom she recognized. Most of them, however, were unknown to her. Our Lady pointed very lovingly to this picture, saying, “All you, my beloved children, who come on pilgrimage here, who love and honour me, shall receive once and for always the heavenly joys of this Maternal Heart that is overflowing with love”.

August 31,1975

“In my chapel at about 10 a.m.”, Pierina Gilli reports, “I saw quite unexpectedly a heavenly light. From this light, the Madonna emerged looking majestic and unutterably beautiful. She said, “Pierina, how often already I have come to you to bring my love, together with the graces and the light of the Lord! . . . I have stirred up beloved children to fulfil and make more widely known the wishes of which I have spoken”.

“I shall lead all those dear children of mine who love me to the Lord, with the light of God the father, the love of my Divine Son Jesus Christ and with the grace of the Holy Spirit”.

“Now”, Pierina Gilli reports, “I was able to ask, “Dear Madonna, are you content that so much love and respect are shown to you through the Pilgrim Madonnas?”

“Then she replied with a happy smile, “Indeed I am. There I am accompanied by whole hosts of holy angels, who praise the Lord. Where I stop as Pilgrim Madonna, where I am invoked, and where many prayers are said, my Divine Son Jesus Christ in every such place, causes special graces to flow down from heaven into souls”.

“Then she went on with much greater solemnity, “Onward, dear children. Go on praying zealously! Now is the time for courageous effort. Love the Church and the Pope . . . keep loyal to them by your good example, by a truly Christian life! Make sacrifices and cultivate the Christian virtues. Then, on this account, I will love you even more. Thus will come the triumph of the Church, and you yourselves will receive the glories of heaven”.

“My love wants to enclose the whole world in her arms . . . I love all as they are . . . that is the love of my Maternal Heart . . . Here in Montichiari I have uttered many and great requests . . . but many people remain deaf to these requests. For this reason, I have chosen generous hearts elsewhere, who seek to fulfil my requests for prayer, sacrifice and atonement for the pope, the clergy and members of religious congregations. Wherever the Pilgrim Madonna is taken, I will be accompanied by hosts of angels, who praise the Lord, because there so many of my loyal children love and glorify me”.

“Then the Madonna showed me again, as on September 8, 1974, a picture of a five-naved church and many other buildings which will one day stand in Fontanelle. Pointing to it, she said very emphatically, “In due course, this picture will become a reality. As I have already often told you, I have brought love to Montichiari, love . . . and with this love, I call upon you and all my children who love me and cooperate with me so that others may love me and obtain the very special graces of my motherly Heart. Tell all the sick in mind or body of whom you have spoken to me that I bear all their sorrows in my Heart to lead them to greater sanctity”.

FURTHER APPEARANCES AND REVELATIONS OF THE ‘ROSA MYSTICA’ IN MONTICHIARI

Apparition on the Feast of Christ the King November 23. 1975

Pierina Gilli reports: “At about 7 p.m., I was in the chapel arranging the flowers which had been brought by the pilgrims when Our Lady appeared quite unexpectedly. She called me and said, “Child, go on telling my children of my love for them. Tell them that my Divine Son Jesus Christ gives me the grace to grant favours to all, for He never refuses His Mother anything”. (Now her voice became quite majestic, and she went on.
 
“It is true, I am the Lord’s Mother! . . the Mother of the Church. The Mother of Mankind! Pierina, the offerings and prayers which have been offered to the Lord by so many people have obtained great graces. The world ought to have been visited by a great judgement because of its hardening in sin . . . “ (a pause) “His great and endless mercy has triumphed once again. My good children, pray and make sacrifices for all. By this means souls will be saved”.

“It was now my opportunity”, Pierina Gilli reports, “to ask her questions, Dear Madonna, will you please say something about the statues of the Pilgrim Madonna which were taken to Rome?” Then Our Lady replied, “Prayers will be said in front of these statues, and I am now specially present in the great city of my beloved son, Pope Paul, the Church’s father”.

“True, wherever I stay (in the Pilgrim Madonna) I bring with me the Lord’s graces and the love of this motherly Heart! I bring light into hearts where now there is darkness, that they may understand the love which I have revealed in Montichiari”.

“Work with my love! . . Give with my love! . . Make sacrifices with my love! . . . In this way you will one day be united forever with me. What favour would be greater than this to live completely with me and for me! . . This is not meant only for you, Pierina, but likewise for all those children of mine who love me.

May the blessing of the Lord, with the light of belief, the light of heavenly hope, and the light of love descend upon you all”.

With these words”, Pierina Gilli reports, “Our Lady disappeared and left in my heart new light and a new warmth of love for all mankind”.

Epiphany January 6, 1976

“It was about 8.30 a.m.”, reports Pierina Gilli. “I had returned from Mass and Holy Communion in the cathedral of Montichiari, and was, as usual, making a second thanksgiving in my chapel. Then there appeared first a heavenly light, and then, visibly Our Lady herself. She began to speak immediately saying,

“Look. In these days of materialism which cause man to plunge into spiritual misery and to forget the Lord’s name and mine . . . (pause) I come to call for a return and to point towards heaven whence I bring my message of love. O my children! I love you with the love of Jesus Himself, and that is an immeasurable love. I want to save you all. I come to bring harmony, so that peace may reign in the world. Like a loving Mother, I am striving everywhere to gather my children around me . . . even those who are far removed. With the patience and mercy of the Lord, I am waiting for their return. See, this is the motherliness of the Mother of God, whose anxiety is boundless, to lead all to the Lord!”

I thanked the dear Madonna”, Pierina Gilli reports, and said, “Dear Lady, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, I was stricken with very bitter grief, but I offered it all to the Lord for love of you”.

To this the Madonna replied with a kind smile, “My beloved son, Pope Paul, on that very day addressed words of love to the faithful, words of respect and light, in that he glorified our Mystical Motherhood and impressively confirmed it”. (At these words Our Lady became much more radiant and in a majestic voice continued) “Indeed! I am Mary, the incarnate ‘Rosa Mystica’, the Mother of the Church! This is the message which was revealed to you, my poor child, years ago”.

“I thanked her”, Pierina Gilli reports, “and she went on smiling, “See, when I bring to my children the message of love, I make use of the most beautiful flower symbol, the rose. It is superabundantly filled with the fragrance of the Lord’s love. He has given another present, in the spring of Fontanelle. For He is Himself an ever living spring from which graces flow in great abundance upon His children”.

I thanked her, and smilingly, she continued, “Oh my children. Do love me. Do go on praying and interceding! Jesus never refuses me anything. He refuses no request made by me His mother. He wishes always to give Himself to the whole of mankind!! (quite solemnly) “What love could be greater than that of my Divine Son Jesus Christ! . . . Pierina, tell everybody that I expect their cooperation to go on working to make me better known and loved!”

I asked her, “Please dear Madonna should the matter of the Pilgrim Madonnas continue?” To this she replied,) “Of course! Wherever I go (with the Pilgrim Madonnas) I take with me an abundance of the Lord’s graces. Continue to spread the light and the love of the message I revealed in Montichiari. It applies quite specially to those who are dedicated to God, above all to my beloved sons, the priests.

Invite then to come to the hallowed spring to pray and to thank the Lord for His great gift. Tell all my children that I always grant them the blessing and grace of the Lord”. At these words the dear Madonna spread her arms out and her cloak. Beneath this protective cloak I saw many people. Without question I could identify some of them. Most of them, however, were unknown to me. Then she disappeared”.

February 13, 1976

As I was praying in my chapel at about 9.30 a.m.”, Pierina Gilli reports, “Our Lady appeared unexpectedly and said”, “I come once again to tell you should make known my message to a wider public. For hundreds of years I have come down time and time again, in many places throughout the world. If, since my Assumption into heaven, I had not returned frequently to the earth to gather my children around me, the world without my motherly and loving intervention would to a great extent have grown cold and dry towards the Lord. My children simply need this my intimate Mother-love, for in their weakness they fall away so easily from the Lord, our Almighty God and father. You see, this is the reason for my coming”.

“Every time I descend to this earth to bring the message of love, the whole of heaven stirs into movement. Great hosts of angels flock around me like a huge garland. On the other hand, however, large number of my earthly children receive me apathetically and remain deaf to our invitation to love Our Lord more and more!”

“Pierina, repeat over and over again to my specially loved children, the priests, my desire that they should love me. Tell them that they should announce this message of the Lord’s mother everywhere, far and wide. They must not allow to be in vain all that I have already done in so many centuries, and which I am still doing, to save my children who are in great peril”.

“The Lord must be loved, praised, and glorified with all the strength of faith and love”.

"Now”, Pierina Gilli reports, “I was permitted to ask, Dear Madonna, people have recommended to me so many requests to place before you!” To this she answered very kindly”

“Tell all these generous hearts that have accepted my message of love, that they shall receive special graces of the Lord . . . They must boldly continue to work together for ‘Fontanelle’, which was hallowed by our presence. This place will always be a place of prayer. . . It will be a lighthouse of faith and love for the sick and needy”.

(With great majesty she said) “I shall intervene. . . The clouds will vanish! The glory of the Lord will triumph; He it was, too, who sent me to Montichiari”.

(With a smile she continued) “Onward. Trust and Courage. Yes, honour to those who have courage. The sick and the needy are waiting for the work of love!”

At these words the Madonna spread out her cloak. As before on April 17 1966, when she appeared in Fontanelle for the first time, I saw a vast church and many great buildings. When I thanked the Madonna, she said with a kind smile”,

“See, this is the Lord’s Love. I want it to flood the whole world!

I repeat once again; my children,
love the Lord and this His mother!
All of you, love one another in true brotherly love!
Go to Holy Mass!
Come together to pray in church.
Go zealously to the holy sacraments to receive the grace of loyalty, and give the world an example of true Christians!
Do all this if you wish to be saved.
Prayer! Sacrifice! Atonement!”

As the Madonna receded, she said slowly and softly”, “Addio! God protect you!”.

Easter Tuesday, April 20, 1976

“I was at prayer in my chapel at about 6 a.m.”, Pierina Gilli reports, “when the Madonna appeared quite unexpectedly. Highly pleased, I cried, “Oh, dear Madonna, thank you for coming once again, for I have suffered greatly of late thinking you would never come again because at your last appearance (on February 13, 1976) you left me with that slowly and gently spoken, “Addio”.

“Our Lady replied very kindly, “While you were suffering silently in this way, I was nevertheless always near you with my Motherly love. For with it you had to show that one ought to leave everything entirely to the Lord’s will”.

I thanked Our Lady”, Pierina Gilli reports “

Smiling she said, “Pierina, say to the sick and all who have to endure worry and sorrow that this becomes their altar of sacrifice upon which superabundant graces are drawn from heaven. Through these, indeed, my very special love comes to many families, to many hearts and souls and they later become a glorious crown for all eternity. Be then of good heart. I am with them, giving them my special protection”.

(She continued smiling) “Pierina, if you were made to wait quietly and fearfully, that was to be a purification and preparation for the festival of Whitsunday”. (quite solemnly) “On this feast-day (Whitsunday, April 25, 1976) I shall be quite specially present in Fontanelle in order to grant my children who will be there great graces from my Divine Son. As a memorial of this day, the other springs there are now to be consecrated and blessed by my presence”.

(The main spring has been contained for some years. A brook with a plentiful supply of water flows past it. Upstream, a considerable number of other springs feed this brook. These, therefore were also to be especially dedicated and blessed.

“On Whitsunday, April 25, 1976, many thousands of pilgrims were staying in Fontanelle enjoying glorious sunshine. There were fifty large coaches there for it.) I thanked Our Dear Lady”, Pierina Gilli continued.

“Now a huge cross became visible. Amazed, I asked, “Dear Madonna, what does this mean?”

She replied, “This great cross is to be set up in the centre of the square near the little chapel! All my children who pray looking upon this cross will receive great graces. The sight of this cross is to grant to all the light of faith, hope and love! Indeed, in this place (Fontanelle), united with my Divine Son Jesus Christ, my Heart will remain open and my arms extended to grant great graces. . . In particular, by it, my sinful children will be saved”. (quite solemnly) “Come hither, my children! Here I have opened for you a fountain of forgiveness and love Above all, my specially beloved children who now have to suffer so much and yet make a special stand for this place (Fontanelle), you will be rewarded by my special motherly love. The time has now come. . . It is now the hour in which I desire that my love and the Lord’s mercy shall be extended to the whole world. My children, do not be discouraged when you fear that the hand of Divine justice seems about to punish. I am always ready to offer petitions, and mercy will always triumph”.

“I thanked Our Lady and asked, “Dear Madonna, are the new Pilgrim Madonna statues to be taken on to Fontanelle, too? She answered, “Yes, it is our wish that this be done also in the future”. Then the dear Madonna bent down towards me, saying in a Motherly tone,

“Pierina, all your striving and desire is to consist in praying and making sacrifice for all!. . . Rely on me. I have chosen you to bring love and grace!” (Saying these words she left me”.)

Pentecost, June 6, 1976

“In my chapel”, Pierina Gilli reports, “at about two in the afternoon, there appeared unexpectedly first a heavenly light and then Our Lady herself. With very great kindness she said,

“Pierina, tell all my children who come here and frequently repeat this, my motherly request; Children, love the Lord! Pray and make offerings to gain eternal salvation. Love one another like good brothers and sisters. . . and I come to bring peace to your souls and concord to your hearts. The great Heart of my Son and Lord, Jesus, has placed in my hands the power to distribute to souls His divine favours with the light of the Holy Spirit”.

( Pierina Gilli continued, “I saw her spread her arms and her cloak. From her hands fell small tongues of fire upon the persons under her cloak. She continued majestically,) I am your mother, stooping down to offer to Jesus, my Divine Son, your anxieties and needs, your prayerful intentions. In appreciation of the love of His Mother, He confers upon her the power of making petitions and bestowing His favours upon the world”.

“Then she became more radiant and spoke solemnly,) “I am Mary, the Mediatrix of Grace! Pierina, make known to all this gift I have received from the Lord Jesus. I am the Mother of Love, and I come to console and save! May my very special blessing come down upon all children who love me and help others to do the same!”

“After saying this,” Pierina Gilli reports, “she disappeared, but in my chapel there remained a marvellous scent of roses, which persisted for hours and was detected by many pilgrims, who were overjoyed and greatly moved”.

September 3, 1976 First Friday of the Scared Heart of Jesus

“When I returned from Mass in the morning”, Pierina Gilli narrates, “Our Lady appeared, but she did not speak. When in the afternoon of the same day I was writing in my room, I saw a bright light in my chapel. I went immediately to look. What joy! Our dear Lady was there again. How good she is. Very kindly she said,

“Pierina, at this moment many faithful children are on their way here. . . Tell them they must have courage and confidence in their prayers, but, above all, help to make them understand the Lord’s love more and more”. (“Then she shone much more brightly and continued in a sad but Motherly voice) “My children, pray and do not be afraid if in these days the great Enemy strives to obscure the light of my Divine Son Jesus Christ. I gather the prayers and petitions of so many souls, and then they are transformed into the grace of peace, concord and light. You, my children, who love me and try to fulfil my wishes. . . You, my children who make sacrifices, so that the message of love is not lost. . . You, my children, who cooperate to ensure the safety of Fontanelle, the place so specially beloved by us. . You will receive from my Divine Son Jesus Christ a specially great reward, and great evidence of grace!”

(In a remarkably kind voice, she said, on leaving) “Live always in this my love”. 

June 12, 1979

“At about 5.30 p.m.”, Pierina Gilli reports, “Our Lady appeared unexpectedly in my chapel in a magnificent light. She spread her arms wide, and her cloak extended unendingly. There was a large church with many buildings under her right arm. In front of it were many people – above all, priests and nuns! Under her left arm were many statues of the Pilgrim Madonna, the ‘Rosa Mystica’, and in front of them, many people in prayer with their hands folded. They were kneeling or standing”.

“Then Our Lady said, “The prayer of so many souls draws down mercy from my Divine Son and Lord, Jesus, onto the world and His mercy is full of love!” “(With special intonation of her voice, but full of love, Our Lady continued:) “You, my children, who so love your mother, always confess to it with courage! You may be certain that your sacrifices will be transformed into superabundant, even into triumphant graces and rich rewards, by the heart of the Lord. My children, love defeats everything! Therefore, this Mother of yours, Mary, spreads out her arms and opens her heart in order to give everyone her motherly love and the graces of the Lord in superabundance!”

May 13, 1982

“After Holy Mass at the Basilica in Montichiari”, Pierina Gilli continued, “I gave thanks once more in my chapel at about 8 a.m., in particular for the deliverance of the Holy Father during an attempt on his life the evening before at Fatima. Suddenly, and after a break of almost three years, Our dear Lady appeared and said to me, “The Lord has sent me again in order to assure you of our love. This is above all a reward for your obedience to the ecclesiastical authorities!”

“O, thank you, My dear Lady”, Pierina Gilli responded! “I am so worried that this place of pilgrimage will disappear!”

“Thereupon, Our Lady replied with a smile, “My Divine Son and Lord, Jesus, is always full of love. . . This place will not disappear! . . . One day they will recognize how many graces were given here to my faithful children. Faith, trust, and love bring so much light into hearts. Together with my Divine Son, Jesus, I spread out my arms here and both of us open our hearts to give our children graces in superabundance”.

Pierina Gilli asked, “Will you save the world?”

Our Lady answered, “Yes! The prayers and sacrifices of so many good children draw forth through my motherly love, the mercy of my almighty Son and of God!”

Pierina Gilli said, “Our dear Lady, let me see again the church in Fontanelle in a brilliant light. In front of it are many, many people in prayer! Above all, priests and nuns!”

March 24, 1983

“Our Lady appeared completely unexpectedly at about 8 a.m. in my chapel”, stated Pierina, “and with a smile said to me, “I come again to bring to all my children who love me the graces of my Divine Son, Jesus!” (With a special motherly tone in her voice, Our Lady said;) “You, my very much beloved children, who are especially loved and dear to my heart, always trust this heart of your mother!” (Now I saw Our Lady surrounded by many priests in their clerical clothes. With a solemn voice, she continued:) “You, my faithful children who have to suffer, my heart is always open, also the heart of my Divine Son, Jesus, to give everyone the graces of a worldwide love. Human science would like to destroy the works of God, but He is more powerful and infinitely merciful! That is why He sent me to Fontanelle to give away His graces there. Truly, my children, don’t let others confuse you! Remain united! Continue to pray faithfully. Make this place into a holy place of peace! I am always present here to accept your prayers and troubles and to place them into the hands of my Divine Son, Jesus”.

“O, thank you, my dear lady”, replied Pierina Gilli, “for this promise! Now I would like to recommend to you all those people I carry in my heart; above all, those who help me and who have to persevere and suffer because of your appearance at Fontanelle!”

(Now Our Lady appeared in an even more brilliant light, and again let me see, as in the past, a church with five domes. In front of it, I saw many people in prayer. Our Lady said with a smile:) “Truly! One day this will become reality! My daughter, do not be afraid! I am always near you in order to give everyone the graces of my motherly love!”