Apparitions of Our Lady of the Rock (Madonna dello Scoglio):
The history of this shrine is fairly recent, when Fratel Cosimo Fragomeni (born in 1950) at the age 0f 18, reported to his local village priest, Don Rocco Gregorace, of having had four visions in which the The Blessed Virgin Mary, standing on a rock (scoglio), appeared to him. The first of these visions took place on May 11, 1968. The Virgin Mary asked Cosimo to transform the valley into a Shrine in order to bring people closer to God.
As a result, Cosimo built a little Chapel on that rock, and called the Shrine “Madonna dello Scoglio” (Our Lady of The Rock). He also placed a marble Statue of Our Lady on the rock of the apparitions. Pilgrims come from all over the world to pray and touch the sacred rock and testified to many miracles and conversions.
Shortly after building the chapel, Cosimo began to lead prayer devotions for pilgrims. Although he had received little formal education, he was admitted to the lay order of the Franciscan brothers with the name of “Fratel Cosimo.” He led a mystical life, living in solitude in a house near the apparition rock, fasting and praying and avoiding any sense of celebrity.
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rock:
The Shrine grounds and facilities were enlarged, thanks to donations from pilgrims. A foundation and a rosary prayer group were established. On December 8, 2007, the local Bishop Mnsgr Morosini, declared the “Scoglio” an official Catholic shrine.
In July 2024, The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith accepted the decree of the bishop approving the spiritual activities of a shrine at the site.
Traveling to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rock in Cosenza, Italy:
The ancient town is the seat of the Cosentian Academy, one of the oldest academies of philosophical and literary studies in Italy and Europe, along with several museums, monuments, theaters and libraries.
The nearest airport is that of Lamezia Terme. From there, it is best rent a car. The village is about 7 miles from the coast village of Caulonia which does have train service
Email: comunitamadonnadelloscoglio@yahoo.it
Click here for the official website of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rock (in Italian)