History
During the night of 11th to 12th August 1962, Teodoro D’Amici (1912-1993) from the city of Brindisi has a dream. A woman's voice invites him to go to the Jaddico neighbourhood, where there is a ruin with a crumbling wall, a remnant of a church. On the wall, a fresco of Mary can be seen, holding her Child to her breast. He hears the voice say: “Bring me candles and flowers!” He asks: “When?” The voice replies: “At midnight.” This dream is repeated twice more.
On 14 August 1962, at around 11:00 PM, Teodoro D’Amici and his colleague Elvio Martinelli go to the Jaddico district. Upon arrival, Teodoro gets out of the car and goes to the designated spot. At the ruin, he lays flowers, lights a few candles, and prays. He then returns to the car.
On the evening of 20 August 1962, Teodoro returned to the site of the ruin in Jaddico, this time accompanied by his wife. Once again, he laid flowers by the wall and intended to light candles. Suddenly, the ruin's wall lit up, and a bright beam of light revealed the fresco of Mary. Teodoro said, “Tell me what you desire, Mary. I shall make myself your servant to please you.”
On 27 August 1962, Teodoro, his wife and their two children, Elvio Martinelli with his wife and his parents, go to the collapsed church in Jaddico. It is almost midnight. Teodoro goes to the wall and suddenly a bright light illuminates the entire surroundings. Teodoro sees the light coming from the wall. Those present kneel and pray.
A further curious event takes place on 6 September 1962. Teodoro dreams he visits Maria. She awaits him in an alley full of thorns. Our Lady invites him to build a church.
A telling incident occurred on 5 November 1962. The wall in Jaddico lit up again, and all those present saw the illuminated wall. Teodoro went to the fresco on the wall and heard: “What you see, others do not. Find my water and you will find it.” Teodoro found the water on 21 November 1962; he discovered 4 springs not far from the wall. He washed his face with the water and drank from it.
The last meeting between Maria and Teodoro took place on 27 May 1963. Approximately 100 witnesses were present. After praying the rosary in the newly established church, a few words were spoken aloud: “Here is Our Lady”. It was the voice of a deaf-mute girl, who could suddenly speak. She pointed to the image of Mary and could speak and hear again.
Pilgrimage site
The sanctuary in Jaddico is called “Santuario Santa Maria Madre Della Chiesa” (Sanctuary of Saint Mary Mother of the Church). The Order of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns is responsible for the sanctuary. The convent is built next to the church.
Drinking from the spring is possible because Teodoro D’Amici discovered the springs near the old wall on 21 November 1962. This is stated on a plaque by the spring at the Mary Chapel, next to the church.
The pilgrims visiting the church are primarily interested in the stone upon which Mary stood. There is also much prayer at the fresco depicting Mary and Child.
In the park, which was laid out in front of the monastery, there is also a grotto with Mary and Bernadette Soubirous, a reference to the apparitions in Lourdes in 1858.
The Shrine of Jaddico is a place of medication and prayer. It is open to visitors at all hours of the week.
ACCESSIBILITY
The “Shrine of Saint Mary, Mother of the Church” is located on the highway to Brindisi, in southern Italy. On the SS379 road, it is found at kilometre 36 when you leave the road.
Address: SS379, 72100 Brindisi, BR.
Current information can be found at www.jaddico.it.
Experience
Next to the church and the car park, there is an image of Mary on a raised platform with 4 steps. Jars of water are located here, providing water from the spring. At the chapel, there is the text “FATE TUTTO QUELLO CHE VI DIRA”, which means “Do whatever He tells you”. A few cats are enjoying themselves on the steps of the platform. A visitor is coming to feed the animals. When it is dark, the statue of Mary is illuminated in blue light.
In the sanctuary church, I experience serenity and receive a peaceful feeling. On the chancel stands the old wall, where the apparitions of Mary to Teodoro began. On this is depicted the fresco of Mary with Child.
Visitors are showing great interest in an illuminated display case containing the stone on which Mary stood when she met Teodoro D'Amici. Hanging above this is a large painting, which depicts the apparition of Our Lady to Teodoro.
In the church, I am also impressed by the colourful stained-glass windows.
Next to the church and in front of the monastery, a Mary's Park has been laid out, which is very well maintained. Here I see, among other things, a Way of the Cross, a large white cross, and a grotto with Mary and Bernadette. Even in Brindisi-Jaddico, images from Lourdes are brought to me. What a particularly beautiful place this is to be able to visit.
Posted: 22 June 2022
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