Saint of the Month - October 2025: Saint Maria Crescentia Hoss

St. Maria Crescentia Höss

A Life of Faith & Service

+ Early Life and Calling

Maria Crescentia Höss was born on October 20, 1682, in Kaufbeuren, Bavaria, Germany.  She was the sixth of eight children in a poor weaving family, and from an early age, she displayed a profound devotion to prayer and charity.  Despite her family's financial struggles, Crescentia felt a strong calling to religious life and desired to join the Franciscan Tertiaries in Kaufbeuren.  However, due to her lack of a dowry, she was initially denied entry into the convent.

Her fate changed when the Protestant mayor of Kaufbeuren, recognizing her virtue, intervened on her behalf.  He purchased a tavern adjacent to the convent and donated it to the sisters, requesting that Crescentia be admitted in return.  Though reluctantly accepted, she faced harsh treatment from the superior, who saw her as a burden.  She was assigned the most difficult and menial tasks, and was even denied a room in the convent so had to sleep on the floor in the cells of sympathetic nuns.  She endured this humiliation for years, yet remained steadfast in her faith and humility.

+ Life in the Convent

In 1703, Crescentia officially entered the convent, and by 1704, she professed her vows.  Over time, her patience and evident holiness won the respect of her fellow sisters.  In 1726, she was appointed novice mistress, a role in which she guided young women in their spiritual formation.  Her wisdom and deep prayer life made her a sought-after advisor, and even princes, bishops, and cardinals consulted her.

In 1741, our Saint was elected superior of the convent, despite her initial reluctance to accept the position.  She emphasized silence, recollection, and devotion to Christ Crucified, encouraging her sisters to deepen their spiritual lives.  She also promoted trust in Divine Providence, ensuring that the convent remained focused on virtue rather than material wealth.

+ Mystical Experiences

A significant aspect of Crescentia's legacy was her remarkable mystical experiences, which enriched her spiritual life and influenced those around her.  She frequently had visions of heavenly mysteries, particularly after receiving Holy Communion, and she also performed miracles.  One of her most striking supernatural feats was reportedly carrying water in a sieve after she was ordered to do so by her superior.  The task was likely imposed on her to test her obedience, as well as to break her resolve but it backfired in a spectacular manner!  This miraculous act demonstrated to her companions her sincerity and unwavering faith, and the tide began turning in her favor.  

Though her visions initially troubled her, she eventually embraced them as divine graces, recognizing them as gifts meant to strengthen her devotion and guide others in their spiritual journeys.  Furthermore, St. Crescentia's connection to the Holy Spirit was so alive that she saw Him as a beautiful youth dressed in a long white robe, which was a departure from the common iconography of the white dove; a depiction of her visions of the Holy Spirit was later painted in 1728.

The Holy Spirit, as He appeared

to St. Crescentia.

And lastly, this mystic was one of the rare souls who participated in the Passion of Christ in a physical manner - a Stigmatic - who relived the Lord's sufferings every Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM while in a state of prolonged ecstasy.

+ Spiritual Legacy and Canonization

Throughout her life, Crescentia not only endured spiritual trials but she also had various maladies, including severe headaches, toothaches, and crippling chronic pain that eventually left her bedridden.  Despite her afflictions, she remained joyful and continued to offer spiritual counsel.  She passed away on April 5, 1744, which was an Easter Sunday; a fitting end for a woman completely devoted to following Christ even to the Cross.

An A.I.-generated portrait of the Saint based

on the image shown above.

The deceased nun's enduring reputation for holiness in Germany eventually led to her Beatification in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII, and her Canonization in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.  Her relics are venerated at the Crescentiakloster in Kaufbeuren, where pilgrims continue to seek inspiration from her holy life.

The Saint’s tomb in her Franciscan Convent

+ Conclusion

St. Crescentia Höss exemplified unwavering faith, humility, and perseverance.  From enduring rejection and cruel treatment to becoming a revered spiritual leader, her life serves as a testament to the power of trust in God.  Her legacy continues to inspire those who seek a deeper connection with our Faith.

St. Maria Crescentia Hoss,

pray for us!

Jubilee Rosary Marathon, 9/24/2025: Did Our Lady descend?

This past Wednesday, as part of my parish's program of activities coinciding with the visit of our Diocese's Jubilee Pilgrim Cross, members of our FIAT Prayer Group lead a "Rosary Marathon" in our church ... and, boy, was it powerful!

   

The hour and twenty minutes it took for the congregation to pray all four Mysteries of the Rosary was like a spiritual pilgrimage - a reflective and intimate journey with our Lord and Blessed Mother through the key events of their earthly lives.

What's more is that throughout our prayer time, the presence of the Divine seemed to be especially tangible and several parishioners commented to me about it.  In fact, I snapped a few photos for this blog and one pic seemed to affirm our sense - see below:

What do you see?

I can't say for certain that the curious figure captured in the pic is a special sign from our Blessed Mother because there's a group of statues in a garden out there, and it could just be a natural play of light and shadows on one of them ... but what's puzzling is that the silhouette simply doesn't look anything like any one of the outdoor statues (see below).  Instead, it coincidentally has a striking resemblance to the statue we had displayed in the church Sanctuary - Our Lady of Grace - with its distinctive cloak and arms extended downward.  So it has me and those who I showed the photo to wondering if there's something more to the image.

   

To the right: The beautiful statuary in our

parish, depicting the Crucifixion

But regardless of the photo, I have no doubt our parishioners were indeed abundantly showered with grace from above ... through the True Presence of our Eucharistic Lord in the Tabernacle; through the maternal intercession of Our Lady and her promised graces associated with the Rosary Prayer; through the Pilgrim Cross and the Plenary Indulgence attached to it; and through the light-hearted fellowship that bonds our parish community together.  These are where the greatest blessings come from.

Refreshments and fellowship time

It goes without saying that this night's event was a spiritual success and left us all filled with HOPE in keeping with the Jubilee Year of Hope.  Our awesome GOD was present - THANKS BE TO HIM.

Monthly Message from the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje: September 2025

  “Dear children, my little children, my beloved ones; you are chosen because you have responded, you have put into practice my instructions and love God above all else. Therefore, little children, pray with all your heart that my words may be realized. Fast, sacrifice yourselves, love out of love for God Who created you, and be, little children, my extended hands to this world that has not come to know the God of love. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Look what I found on Temu!

If you're looking for Catholic devotional items, check out Temu (a Chinese e-commerce site)!  It's surprising what you can find there - from Miraculous Medals, to Rosaries, and Statues - and the prices are excellent!  But one tip: Read the product descriptions carefully, as well as the reviews, if there are any.

Deals from Temu: 8" Lady of Kibeho statue

($9) and 3" St. Carlo Acutis figurine ($12)

Saints & Relics Presentation: Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 9/21/2025

This ministry again spoke to the parishioners of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Honolulu.  In particular, the presentation was geared towards a small group of those going through OCIA in preparation for entering the Catholic Church, but other seasoned parishioners attended as well.

14 Saints and relics were discussed and presented to the audience: St. Bernadette of Lourdes; Ven. Maria Domenica Lazzeri; Bl. Maria Carmen of the Child Jesus; St. Carlo Acutis; the Martyrs of Uganda; St. Elizabeth Ann Bailey Seton; Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin; St. Therese of Lisieux; St. Padre Pio; St. Peregrine Laziosi; St. Pope John Paul II; and Our Lady.

This presentation especially touched this author's heart in that the audience was particularly engaged and expressive.  After the talk, I invited those who needed a special prayer to come forward to be anointed with Blessed Oil from the Sanctuary of St. Philomena in Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy.  I was deeply moved by the personal testimonials that were shared by certain people; the trials some were enduring, via hard circumstances or illnesses such as dreaded cancer; the sincere gratitude of many, despite their challenges.

Some people wept openly and I felt the profound heaviness in their hearts as we prayed together, which was difficult ... but to see them walk away looking visibly relieved and "lighter" was hopeful.  It had to be the power of the Holy Spirit at work, along with the compassionate intercession of Our Lady and the Saints.  I left the church with high hopes that there were special graces granted to every attendee and faith was strengthened.

All Thanks and Praises be to God and His Saints!

FOR DISCERNMENT: Pray and Read Scriptures

I had another unusual experience; actually two successive ones.  It started two days ago - Friday morning, 9/19/2025 - at about 6:45am as I began my daily Rosary Prayer.  Not long after, I felt the spiritual presence of Our Lady and immediately asked her if there was something she needed from me, or if she wanted to tell me something for myself or for the world in general.  There was no response.

After several moments, still sensing her presence, I again inquired with our Blessed Mother if she wanted to say something.  The second time around she answered and this is what I heard:

"There is really nothing more

to say.  I have already spoken in

the past - read the messages of

Fatima.  I continue to urge you to

take up your Rosaries and pray.

This is your weapon.

And read Scriptures.  Read

Daniel and Revelation.

All has already been revealed."

Familiar with the Book of Revelation, I understood it was prophetically apocalyptic in nature, but I wasn't too certain what the Book of Daniel contained other than references about St. Michael the Archangel rising in our troubled times in Chapter 12.  I did further research and was surprised to learn that the Book of Daniel is also highly apocalyptic in nature and more prophecies about the Latter Days could be read in the book's Chapter 7.

Fast forward to yesterday morning - Saturday,  9/20/2025.  Before attending Mass in St. John Vianney Church, I paid my respect to Our Lady, via her statue at the parish's outdoor Marian shrine.  I asked our Blessed Mother to grant me a sign that the message I heard the day before was truly from her and not a figment of my imagination.  I then felt her presence again, along with a strong "inner prompting" to snap a photo.  Without seeing anything unusual up in the sky, I went ahead and took several.  Later after reviewing the pics, I was amazed to discover a remarkable cloud image in one of the photos - it was the confirmation I needed before posting this blog.

Pray the Rosary and read the Word of God!  These are our weapons!  I get the strong impression from the words I heard that Our Lady is strongly indicating (at least to my understanding) that the time for messages is passing as she has nothing new to add to the many messages she has already given us at several Church-approved Marian Apparitions.  We now need to live them.

May each reader discern.  

What have we become?

In roughly two short weeks it seems our headlines have been dominated by news of one violent crime after another:

• the horrific Minneapolis church shooting of children in a Catholic church

• the stabbing of an innocent young woman in a subway train in North Carolina (bystanders did nothing to help the girl or stop the suspect)

• another school shooting in Colorado

• and a culmination two days ago with the assassination of conservative Christian political activist, Charlie Kirk, in a college campus in Utah

It's especially troubling because, when one takes a close look at these events, one will see a clear trend - most were committed by fairly young individuals ... and I strongly suspect there were direct diabolic influences at play.

The 23-year-old Minneapolis church shooter

and a drawing he did in his notebook ...

It all begs the question: What have we become as a society?  The Bible - in II Timothy 3:1-4 - provides an accurate answer:

  "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

Considering all that's occurring, I think that particular Scriptural Prophecy is spot on ... and when youth in their teens (or barely out of it) are plotting and committing murders as easily as playing video games, it means there's something seriously broken with our society; extremely DARK and sinister ... and it's basically OUR fault.  It all boils down to one reason: We've drifted far, far away from GOD who is the true LIGHT.

The shooting in Colorado

I'm personally disturbed because it wasn't like this 40 years ago when I was in my teens; things were much more simple back then and kids were ... well ... behaving like kids!  We actually played with each other - dodge ball, bike rides, street football, camping in our neighborhood treehouse, etc. - and the thought of committing such heinous acts of violence against each other never crossed our minds.  But slowly, deliberately, and systematically certain groups started pushing Jesus/God out of schools and, when that was accomplished, there followed a brewing storm of dangerous trends and philosophies (e.g. hedonism, socialism, gender ideologies, euthanasia, etc.) and occultism (e.g. esoteric mysticism, witchcraft, satanism, etc.), which have escalated today due to the aggressive mainstream promotion given them by certain celebrities, politicians, news reporters, and social media "influencers", most of who are clearly narcissists.  Their collective message can be summed up in one phrase: "Do what thou wilt", which is often purposely misrepresented as "enlightenment" and "personal liberation" from oppressive, outdated laws/rules.  But the phrase contradicts the hallowed and timeless words from the Lord’s Prayer - "Thy (God's) will be done" - and, essentially, God has been replaced by self-worship and/or worship of demonic spirits.  Ironically, rather than finding light, we've allowed darkness to grow exponentially and are now reaping what was sowed.

The suspect in the Charlie Kirk murder -

a 22-year-old man

What's unfortunate is - it didn't have to be like this.  Heaven has been warning us for centuries that if we stray from Jesus and the Gospel Truth things will only get worse.  Just research the approved, urgent messages Our Lady delivered at Lourdes (1858), Fatima (1917), Akita (1970s), and most recently Medjugorje (1981 - present).  With the two latest apparitions cited, those commenced with the onset of many of the self-destructive ideologies that have exploded in our present time, without a doubt to counteract them ... but the Virgin’s warnings are mostly ignored by the general public, including Catholics.

A tragedy prevented (note the suspect's age)

Yet despite the increased evil that surrounds us, there's still HOPE: the Gospel Message remains relevant and an effective solution ... we still have the saving grace of the Sacraments ... and Heaven continues to mercifully reach out - God has not abandoned us ... and if we just repent and commit ourselves to living His Divine Will, we can, at the very least, bring LIGHT into our own personal worlds in the form of Peace, Love, Joy, and Protection.  It's not too late to return to the Lord.

      

One way God is responding to the youth crisis -

the prophetic rise of young, holy role models

(L to R: St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, Bl. Chiara

Badano, & St. Carlo Acutis)

To end this blog on a positive note, I share the footage below, which I filmed early this morning after Mass at St. Augustine by the Sea Church in Waikiki.  I believe it's an example of Heaven reaching out to remind us that we're not forgotten.  It captures a strange shadowy formation above the Tabernacle and Crucifix, which to this author uncannily resembled a silhouette of the Blessed Virgin Mary (it was an impressive sight in-person!).  Coincidentally, today is also the Marian Feast of the Holy Name of Mary ... so was it meant to represent Our Lady's maternal presence with us and a visible message of Hope?  I'd like to think so and what a comfort it was to have an affirmation that our Heavenly Mother is always close by watching over us.  Let us pray together with her for the conversion of sinners, especially our misguided children.  Ave Maria!

An unusual, yet familiar figure, appears

formed by a shadow seen above the crucifix

in St. Augustine Church in Waikiki.

9/20 - 9/25/2025: The Jubilee Pilgrim Cross Visitation at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua

The Diocese of Honolulu's Jubilee Year Pilgrim Cross will be making a stop in our home parish later this month.  The "Pilgrim Cross" is part of our local Church's initiative to assist the Faithful in gaining the special Jubilee Year of Hope Plenary Indulgence.  Normally, to gain the indulgence, one must walk through one of the Holy Doors in Rome in conjunction with performing other pious acts, but for the majority who cannot make a pilgrimage to the Eternal City, praying in the presence of a Pilgrim Cross substitutes for the pilgrimage ... and affords people the opportunity to gain the Indulgence in their own dioceses.

More information about the Jubilee Year of Hope along with the necessary requirements to gain the Plenary Indulgence can be found here.

Below is the schedule of events at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua - this is a great grace from the Church that shouldn't be missed!

All are welcome to participate!

Walking the Path of the Divine Will

A remarkable photo recently taken this past week after a FIAT: Faith In Action Today prayer meeting - I believe there's an important reminder in it and it's this: when we walk a path in accordance with God's Divine Will, we don't walk it alone.  Our Mother Mary and the inhabitants of Heaven journey with us every step of the way.

FIAT Marian Consecration Prayer

  O Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven, whose

Fiat was the dawn of the world’s salvation,

I consecrate myself to your Immaculate

Heart, invoking your special guidance this

day, as I strive to follow your example of

complete trust and surrender to the

Divine Will of God.

  Assist me in my efforts to live the way of

your Fiat and obtain for me from your Son

– our Lord, Jesus Christ – the grace of deeper

union with God so that, in all I do, His Will

may be accomplished through me.  And, thus,

transformed into a beacon of light against

the darkness of this world, may I serve to

draw others to His Kingdom.  Amen.

To learn more about the Divine Will Revelations, as revealed to the Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta, click here.

Saint of the Month - September 2025: St. Hildegard of Bingen

St. Hildegard of Bingen

Prophetess, Visionary, & Doctor of the Church

Feast: September 17th

St. Hildegard of Bingen, often called the “Sibyl of the Rhine”, was one of the most remarkable women of the Middle Ages.  Born in Bermersheim, Germany, she was the tenth child of a noble family.  From early childhood she experienced profound mystical visions, though she often kept them hidden out of humility.  Recognizing a special call upon her life, her parents entrusted her to the care of Bl. Jutta of Sponheim, an anchoress at the Benedictine monastery of Disibodenberg.  There, Hildegard received her formation in prayer, Scripture, and the monastic way of life.  At 15 she professed religious vows, dedicating her life entirely to God.

+ Life and Leadership

After the death of her mentor Jutta in 1136, Hildegard was chosen as prioress of the community.  She soon distinguished herself as a wise and courageous leader, guiding her nuns with maternal care and spiritual depth.  Eventually, she founded her own convent at Rupertsberg near Bingen, and later another house at Eibingen.  Her leadership was marked by strength, vision, and profound reliance on Divine Providence.  She insisted on discipline and integrity but also cultivated a joyful atmosphere rooted in beauty, music, and the love of God.

Though a woman in a time when authority in the Church was dominated by men, Hildegard’s sanctity and wisdom earned her respect from abbots, bishops, emperors, and even popes.  She corresponded with figures such as Pope Eugenius III, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, and King Henry II of England, offering counsel, prophetic warnings, and encouragement.

+ Mystical Experiences

From 3-years-old, Hildegard began experiencing luminous visions filled with Divine Light.  She described these encounters as the “Living Light,” in which she received knowledge that surpassed her natural capacity.  These visions revealed to her the mysteries of salvation, the beauty of creation, and the harmony of God’s design for the world.  At first reluctant to record them, she only began writing at the command of God and with the encouragement of St. Bernard and Pope Eugenius.

A depiction of St. Hildegard in her visionary

state, receiving the "Living Light"

Her first major work, “Scivias (Know the Ways)”, contains 26 visions illustrating the history of salvation from Creation to the end of time.  Later, she composed “Liber Vitae Meritorum (The Book of Life’s Merits)” and “Liber Divinorum Operum (The Book of Divine Works)”, which delve into theology, ethics, and the cosmic relationship between God and creation.  Her writings reveal a soul immersed in Divine Wisdom and aflame with zeal for truth.

+ Intellectual Gifts and Virtues

Hildegard was not only a visionary but also a polymath.  She wrote extensively on natural science, medicine, and music, seeing all creation as a reflection of God’s sublime beauty.  Her Physica and Causae et Curae examine the medicinal properties of plants, animals, and minerals, demonstrating her deep respect for the healing power of nature.  She also composed an astonishing body of sacred music—antiphons, hymns, and sequences—that continue to be performed today for their haunting beauty and spiritual power.

St. Hildegard’s beautiful vision of

the nine Choirs of Angels.

Her virtues shone clearly in her life.  She embodied humility, often calling herself a “poor little woman” unworthy of her gifts.  Yet this humility did not diminish her courage; she boldly admonished rulers and prelates when they strayed from justice and truth.  Her obedience to God was total, especially in her willingness to proclaim her visions despite fear of criticism.  Her charity was evident in her pastoral care, her guidance of souls, and her compassion for the sick through both spiritual and medicinal remedies.  Above all, Hildegard’s deep love for God was the source of her joy, creativity, and tireless service.

+ Final Years and Canonization

Hildegard continued to write, compose, and advise until her death in 1179 at the age of 81.  Her convents remembered her as a luminous figure of holiness, and veneration of her sanctity spread quickly.  Although she was revered locally as a saint for centuries, her canonization was not formally completed until Pope Benedict XVI declared her a saint and Doctor of the Church in 2012.  She is one of only four women Doctors, recognized for her extraordinary contribution to theology, spirituality, and culture.

An A.I. rendered, realistic image of

St. Hildegard based on an old woodcut

print shown above.

+ Legacy

St. Hildegard of Bingen stands as a radiant example of a life wholly surrendered to God.  Her mystical visions illuminate the Lord's plan of salvation, her writings reveal a mind of profound depth, and her music sings of the eternal harmony between heaven and earth.  Courageous in truth, humble in service, and aflame with Divine Love, she remains a guide for all who seek to unite intellect, faith, and creativity in the service of God.

St. Hildegard, pray for us!

Monthly Message from the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje: August 2025

  "Dear children, my little children, my beloved ones; you are chosen because you have responded, you have put into practice my instructions and love God above all else.  Therefore, little children, pray with all your heart that my words may be realized.  Fast, sacrifice yourselves, love out of love for God who created you, and be, little children, my extended hands to this world that has not come to know the God of love.  Thank you for having responded to my call."

Saints & Relics Presentation: Sacred Hearts Academy, 8/18/2025

Today, this ministry had the joy and blessing of visiting Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu to conduct a presentation/relic exhibit for approximately 60 Sophomore students.  I've never been to this historic parochial school so I was excited to speak at a new venue - plus the gothic-style architecture in the chapel was beautiful, along with the campus.

As for the presentation, it turned out to be an enlightening experience for the students.  For example, before speaking about St. Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes to the girls, I first asked if any of them had ever heard of the French Saint and the Holy Grotto associated with her; not one participant raised a hand (and it wasn't because they were being shy)!  I was somewhat surprised by this because there's actually a huge replica of the Lourdes Grotto prominently located in their campus, as seen below ...

A replica of the Lourdes Grotto at the

Sacred Hearts Academy campus

And sure - not all of the students there are Catholic so those girls have a reason for not knowing about Lourdes, but I'm certain the majority are Catholic so it struck me that they've never been schooled about the spiritual significance behind their own grotto.

So I shared the story of St. Bernadette: her 18 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin in the grotto; the discovery of the miraculous spring; her holy life as a nun; and her incorrupt body.  The facial expressions I scanned in the audience - both the students and their respective teachers - shown with genuine interest and wide-eyed wonder, as I told the Saint's story and shared photos.  The same look was repeated over and over as the stories of several other holy individuals were narrated.

Relics on display for the students

In all, 11 relics were shared with the students, which included those belonging to St. Bernadette, Visionary of Lourdes; Bl. Carlo Acutis, Patron of Youth; St. Faustina Kowalska of Divine Mercy; St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Patroness of the Pro-Life Movement; Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin, Patrons of Families; St. Peregrine Laziosi, Patron of Cancer Patients; Bl. Pierina Morosini, Virgin & Martyr; Bl. Rolando Rivi, Martyr; St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower; and Our Lady's veil.

I often gauge the level of success of each presentation by the reaction of my audiences and by the feedback I receive after.  Today's talk seemed exceptionally successful because of what I saw reflected in the girls' faces and by their enthusiastic veneration of the relics present.  For sure, they all walked away knowing more than they did about our Saints ... and with greater appreciation for them, too - PRICELESS!

Students going up in small groups to view and

venerate the Saints and their respective relics.

All thanks and praises be to God!

The Marian Apparitions at Tre Fontane: From Prophecy to Revelation

This blog has been a long-time coming.  It's about the history of little-known Marian apparitions that took place in a grotto on a hill to the south of Rome, beginning in 1947.  The place is Tre Fontane ("Three Fountains") and I've been to this hallowed sanctuary four times during three pilgrimages I made to Italy - most recently in October 2024 - and it personally ranks high among the holy sites I've been blessed to visit so far.  Although this shrine has been mentioned in this blog before, I've been intending to exclusively feature Tre Fontane in its own post but never got around to it until I felt strongly prompted by a remarkable photo I took this past Saturday (see it here).  So, without any further ado, this is the amazing and inspirational story of the "Virgin of Revelation" of Tre Fontane ...

Prelude: Luigina Sinapi’s Prophetic Encounter (1937)

On April 12, 1937, a devout Roman catechist named Luigina Sinapi (a mystic-soul who is now a Venerable in the Sainthood Process) led a pilgrimage to the Abbey of Tre Fontane, the site traditionally associated with the martyrdom of St. Paul.  As she walked with her group through the eucalyptus grove that surrounded the area, Luigina separated for private prayer and discovered the remains of an aborted infant in a grotto (the secluded hillsides in the area were commonly known for illicit activity during the night).  With reverence, Luigina buried the remains with a Miraculous Medal.  It was then that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her in radiant light.

Ven. Luigina Sinapi and the grotto of Tre

Fontane at the time of the apparitions

The Virgin delivered a striking prophecy: “I will return to this place.  I will make use of a man who today persecutes the Church, who wants to kill the Pope.”  She then instructed Luigina to go to St. Peter’s Basilica, where she would meet a woman dressed in black who would lead her to her brother, a cardinal destined to become Pope, and she was to reveal to him what transpired at Tre Fontane.  True to the Our Lady's words, Luigina met a woman - Elisabeth Pacelli - who introduced the mystic to her brother, Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli to whom Luigina relayed the Virgin's predictions; the same prelate later ascended to the papacy as Pope Pius XII in 1939.

Luigina's divine encounter, largely unknown outside devout circles, laid the spiritual groundwork for what would unfold exactly ten years later ... with Pope Pius XII later playing a prominent role in the history of Tre Fontane and Marian Devotion, in general.

The Apparition to Bruno Cornacchiola (1947)

Bruno Cornacchiola was a local street tram operator.  He was a rough man - a bitter anti-Catholic who had become a communist sympathizer and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist sect.  On April 12, 1947, he took his three children to the eucalyptus hills of Tre Fontane for a picnic.  He was preparing a speech to denounce the Virgin Mary’s perpetual virginity, intending to deliver it the next day.  Unknown to him, divine intervention awaited.

The seer of Tre Fontane with his wife

and their three children

While playing with a ball, his children wandered near the entrance of the same grotto where Ven. Luigina had received her apparition.  One by one, they knelt, transfixed while staring into the cavern and repeating “Beautiful Lady! Beautiful Lady!”  Bruno, who saw nothing, became confused and alarmed, and he tried lifting them but found each were immovable despite their diminutive sizes.  Struck with fear, he cried out in desperation, “God help us!” and suddenly he saw two disembodied luminous hands floating towards him, which touched his eyes.  The visionary felt "scales" painfully fall from his eyes and a brilliant light began forming in the grotto in which stood a woman of indescribable beauty: dressed in a simple white gown with a rose-colored sash, a green mantle, and black hair.  She held a Bible close to her heart and her expression was somber but maternal.  A sweet floral aroma filled the grotto, while near her feet a broken crucifix and a cassock were seen.

The woman spoke: “I am she who is in the Divine Trinity: the Daughter of the Father; the Mother of the Son; and the Spouse and Temple of the Holy Spirit.  I am the Virgin of the Revelation.  You persecute me: enough of it now!  Enter into the Holy Fold, the Heavenly Court on Earth (the Catholic Church).”  She revealed that Bruno’s soul had been saved by the Nine First Fridays Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus he had once reluctantly agreed to do to please his devout wife, Iolanda.  Our Lady then added: “Live the Divine Doctrine.  Practice Christianity.  Live the Faith.  The Hail Marys that you pray with faith and love are like golden arrows that go straight to the heart of Jesus.”

 

The beautiful statue of the Virgin of

Revelation in the Sacred Grotto

The Virgin further urged Bruno to pray the Rosary daily for the conversion of sinners and the unity of Christians.  Then, as if anticipating the proclamation of her Assumption into Heaven, she stated: “My body did not decay, for it could not decay.  My Divine Son and the angels came to meet me at the hour of my death.”  Before departing, Our Lady warned him of trials ahead and instructed him to deliver her message personally to the Pope.

Aftermath and Bruno’s Life of Witness

Bruno’s conversion was immediate and profound.  He abandoned his plans to assassinate Pope Pius XII and instead became a tireless witness to the truth of the Catholic Faith.  He met with the Pope on July 22, 1947, and presented him with the makeshift dagger on which he had carved "Death to the Pope"; he begged for forgiveness.  Pius XII, on his part, was deeply moved upon hearing Bruno's story and the Virgin’s personal message delivered to him.  The same Pope later blessed the beautiful statue of the Virgin of Revelation in St. Peter’s Square before its transfer to Tre Fontane ... and it was Pope Pius XII who proclaimed the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary three years later on November 1st, 1950.

Bruno (center) during a group audience

with Pope Pius XII

Bruno dedicated the rest of his life to evangelization, often speaking publicly about the apparitions and urging devotion to the Virgin Mary.  He suffered trials - poverty, skepticism, and spiritual attacks - but remained steadfast.  He also founded a lay-apostolate called SACRI for the purpose of teaching the truths of the Catholic Church, and he continued to receive private apparitions along with messages, some prophetic in nature - for example, in February 1982, Our Lady allegedly said to him: “The thirsty and the lost will come to pray here.  They will find love, understanding, consolation: the true meaning of life.  Here, in this place of the grotto where I appeared several times, will be the sanctuary of expiation, as if it were purgatory on Earth.  There will be a gate with the significant name of "Gate of Peace".  All must enter through this gate.”

Bruno Cornacchiola died a holy death in 2001, and his Cause for Canonization has been initiated in Rome in 2017.  His fruitful legacy lives on through the association he started and the sanctuary built at the site of his heavenly visitations; his writings and testimony inspired countless conversions.  It goes without saying that Bruno’s story is a powerful affirmation of the Blessed Virgin's maternal intercession and the transformative grace of God's Love and Mercy.

Epilogue: Graces Continue to Flow from Tre Fontane

Today, the Holy Grotto at Tre Fontane remains a place of pilgrimage and quiet prayer.  Although the Church has not proclaimed an official approval of the apparitions, the shrine enjoys the tacit approval of the Vatican.  The chapel built over the site was authorized by Pope Pius XII in 1956 and entrusted by him to the care of the Franciscan Conventuals.  Mass is celebrated daily and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is administered regularly.  Tre Fontane is, as Our Lady indicated, a place of profound PEACE and CONVERSION.

And finally, the miracles witnessed from the very start of these apparitions continue to be reported, mainly through the devout use of the blessed soil from the grotto, fulfilling these words Our Lady spoke to Bruno back in 1947: “I promise this special favor: With this sinful soil I shall perform great miracles for the conversion of unbelievers and of sinners.”

The Servant of God, Bruno Cornacchiola, and

a packet of blessed soil from the Holy Grotto

If one is ever in Rome, this author highly recommends a stop at the Sanctuary of Tre Fontane.  One will not regret it.

Our Lady of Revelation, pray for us!