MONTE BERICO - THE SHRINE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF MOUNT BERICO

The Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Berico is located on the top of a hill, a few kilometers away from the historic center of Vicenza in Italy. The Basilica is the result of two constructions of different styles: one gothic (the first church) and the other baroque. Inside the shrine, situated on the very place where Our Lady appeared to Vincenza Pasini, stands a beautiful 3 ½ foot gold colored statue of Our Lady of Monte Berico, (also known as Mother of Mercy or Madonna del mantle) fashioned in 1430 by Nicolò da Venezia from the soft stone of the Berici hills. The shrine’s archives describe the statue as “an imperious image in marble, painted with skill in various and precious colors.” Curls frame the Virgin’s smiling face as her extended arms enfold some of her suppliant children of all classes under her blue mantle, lined with red and hemmed in gold. Her veil is gold colored and falls just below her shoulders. It was reported, that as soon as the church was finished, the plague receded and finally vanished. These events were documented in 1430 by the Notary Publics and can be read in the city library, “Biblioteca Civica Bertoliana”. The Vicenzians were so relieved to be rid of the plague and they were convinced of the truth of the Apparition; devotion to Our Lady of Mount Berico increased daily. Obedience to the commands of the Virgin resulted in the remarkable miracle of eradication of that particular pestilence and it has never returned to the city.