Castelpetroso, Italy: Santuario Maria Santissima Adolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows)
About Castelpetroso:
In a country with so many shrines, many of which are devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, some are often overlooked by visitors. Such is the case here in this small town about 120 miles Southeast of Rome.
The history of the Sanctuary of Castelpetroso dates from the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary on March 22, 1888. Two peasants were farming some land and had brought two sheep with them. They discovered that one was missing and so they split up, and one of them found the sheep standing outside a cave. A luminous light came from it and he was surprised by a vision of Our Lady of Sorrows at the foot of the Cross. He called for his companion, but he could see nothing .
Ten days later, April 1 (which happened to be Easter), Our Lady appeared again and this time both men could see her.
As you might suspect, many people were doubtful and suspected the men of making up the story; however, there were some who went to the spot to pray. In September of that year the local Bishop went to the spot and he was graced with the same vision. As if further proof was needed, a spring suddenly appeared in the ground near the cave.
The Sanctuary receives tens of thousands of pilgrims each year and is known as the “Little Lourdes of Italy”. Past pilgrims have included Pope John Paul II in 1995 and Pope Francis in 2014.
About The Basilica Santuario Maria Santissima Adolorata:
The Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows Castelpetroso, designed in a neo-Gothic style by engineer Francesco Gualandi of Bologna, is entirely carved from local stone. Indeed, it stands as a tribute to Mary and to the Molise region. The first stone was laid on September 28, 1890.
The Basilica has a radial layout with seven side chapels, covering an area of approximately 30,000 square feet (2,800 square meters). The central part symbolizes the heart of Mary, while the side chapels represent the seven swords, recalling her seven sorrows. The dome rises to 170 feet (52 meters), drawing the pilgrim’s gaze upward with its imposing presence.
The Basilica is open from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. daily, although those attending early Mass are admitted by 6:30 a.m. Facilities include a cafe open for lunch and dinner, a hostel with option of full board and a gift shop.
Masses at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Confessions are heard throughout the day.
The Feast day is celebrated twice each year: on March 22 and the last Sunday of September.
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows:
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows became a standard devotion in the Church around the 14th century. It was revealed to Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) that devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Seven Sorrows would bring great signal graces. The devotion consists in praying seven Hail Mary’s while meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Here in Castelpetroso, The Via Matris di Castelpetroso, inaugurated on 27 October 1947, is a 750-meter path thatruns along the mountain and connects the Sanctuary with the place of the apparitions.
Divided into seven stages, each one was marked by a copper shrine, enclosed in a niche
in masonry, which commemorates one of the seven pains.
Since 1947 thousands of faithful have crossed the Via Matris dolorosa pausing and meditating on pains that the Virgin Mary, mother and co-worker of the Savior, suffered during her life
in the fulfillment of its mission.
Outside the Basilica, in the Via Matris, the life of the Virgin Mary is divided into seven ‘stations’, corresponding to seven sorrows of Mary. Some ‘stations’ of the Via Matris coincide with The Way of the Cross .
The Seven Pains (Sorrows) of Mary:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)
3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)
6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)
7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)
Traveling to Castelpetroso, Italy:
From Naples:Castelpetroso is an easy day trip from Naples. The quickest public transport option is typically by bus, taking around 3 hours, including transfers. Traveling by train also takes approximately 3 hours 22 minutes to 3 hours 25 minutes, including transfers.
From Rome, it is about 120 miles (193 kilometers) south of Rome. The nearest train station is Isernia, roughly 9 miles (15 kilometers) from the shrine.
There are several trains from Rome daily: the direct train takes about two hours or, in some cases, you have change trains in Naples, in which case the travel time is about three hours. From Isernia you can take a bus or taxi to the Shrine.
Get train & bus schedules, see fares & buy tickets here.
Address: Via del Santuario, 40, 86090 Castelpetroso IS, Italy
GPS coordinates: 41° 32′ 58.4916” N, 14° 18′ 34.8912” E
Tel / Fax: +39 936 110 0865
e-mail: info@santuarioaddolorata.it
Click here for the official website of the Sanctuary