The Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Hill (La Madonna del Colle) rises above an evocative panorama in the surrounding territory of Lenola. The location, which was once wild and harsh, was sanctified in the mid third century by the blood of the martyrs who were the victims of the persecution of Decio.

Supported by authoritative treatises, tradition says that a vision of the Virgin with Child surrounded by angels with the emblem of the martyrdom comforted the christians who had come by night to bury the corpses of the two slaughtered priests. This historic episode, which added the title "del Colle" to the Virgins name, was inscribed forever in the faithful hearts of the people of Lenola.

In 1602, the following inscription was found over the doorway to a cave: "Here lies Onorio and Livio and others, who died for faith at the hands of Decio." Onorio and Livio were two christian priests who celebrated the divine mystery among the bristling rocks of the hill. It was here that they were discovered and slaughtered.

On September 15, 1602, an incident recorded in history occurred that led to the establishment of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Colle. It was not, in fact, just a legend or simply a pious tradition, but a genuine story. Here is the story.

Gabriele Mattei, a youth of iron will and ardent character, having been severely berated the evening of September 14, 1602 by an old man, had decided along with his friends to do away with him at dawn the next day. However, the youth had misgivings about this deed. It seemed to him as though he had suddenly become a villain. He attempted to distract himself by wandering through the village, going to his favorite isolated spots, and singing passionate songs while accompanying himself expertly on the guitar.

Because the discomfort only increased, he threw aside his beloved guitar invoking the devil. Suddenly, a horrendous vision appeared before him and he trembled, vacillated, and fell. Despite his terror, he remembered he was a christian and instinctively made the sign of the cross. He called upon the Madonna, while trying to avoid what seemed to be a pit of fire, and the infernal vision disappeared. Gabriele tried to run away from that place, but was stopped by a consoling light in which he saw the Virgin who beckoned him to climb the hill in search of her image.

Gabriele convinced his disgruntled friends (it was already dawn and their plan was ruined ) to climb the hill with him in response to the mysterious invitation. The terrain was rocky and inhospitable, but finally they beheld with great awe the image of the Madonna with Child painted on a rock.

At that time the Bishop of Fondi, Monsignor Comparini, was visiting Lenola. He came to venerate the image of the Madonna, announce it to the Diocese, and inform Pope Clemence VIII. In addition, he encouraged the people to build a temple at the sight as soon as possible.

Gabriele changed his name to Fra Deo Gratia (thanks be to God) and made pilgrimages to Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Because of these pilgrimages, the temple became a holy destination for many pilgrims and other visitors. Valued for its art and famous for continuous miracles, it stands today as the Sanctuary of the "Madonna del Colle".

The miracle of the Cypress

In the close proximity of Lenola, the Sanctuary, with its beautiful facade towers over the land. Built by Raffaello Franco and inaugurated in 1628, it is constructed entirely of brick intersected by frames made from local stone. Elegantly carved flames representing the ardent faith of those who erected the Sanctuary rise above the doorway. Besides the architecture, the eye is drawn to admire with awe, two cypress branches which were nailed to the stone frame in 1628. Together with garlands of myrtle they were only supposed to serve as a temporary embellishment for the inauguration of the facade.

Several days after the inauguration when the ornamentation was to be taken down, they found the cypress branches had taken root in the rock. Three hundred and twenty-four years have passed and the cypress branches still grow there. Resisting bad weather and drought, it is said that they were even spared from the numerous blind bombings of May 22, 1944 which hit many places on the facade, set the front door on fire, and burned the top branches of one of the cypresses. Despite being burned, the branches began to turn green and grow again after only two months!

The cypresses stand as silent sentries of faith for those who believe and those who don't want to believe!

Visit Santuario Maria SS. del Colle official web site.