History
The apparitions of Mary in Bonate Sopra take place in two periods. The first part of the apparitions is between 13 and 21 May, and then there are visits from Mary in the shorter period from 28 to 31 May 1944. The 7-year-old seer Adelaide Roncalli (1937-2014) claims to have witnessed 13 apparitions of Mary. In addition to visions of Our Lady, she also receives visions of the Holy Family and angels.
The first apparition is on 13 May 1944. Adelaide sees a light that grows ever larger. She has an apparition of the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus in her arms, and Joseph is also present. Mary tells Adelaide not to be afraid and asks her to return at the same time over the coming days. On 14 May 1944, the second encounter with Mary takes place, and She tells the girl to be obedient, sincere, and respectful towards others, and also to pray a lot. The third apparition is on 15 May 1944. Mary says that if children wish to be healed, they must do penance and pray a lot. By praying a lot, the war (World War II, 1939-1945) will end within a few months; otherwise, it will last longer. On 16 May 1944, the fourth apparition occurs, and Adelaide hears that much prayer is needed for the poor sinners, who need the prayers of children. During the fifth apparition on 17 May 1944, Adelaide hears that she must tell the bishop and the Pope about her experiences. Mary entrusts a secret to her. On 18 May 1944, the sixth apparition, she hears Mary say that prayer is the most pleasing thing to Her. During the seventh apparition on 19 May 1944, the seer learns that Mary can be seen at the hour of death, and that She will take her to heaven. On the eighth apparition of 20 May 1944, Adelaide hears that tomorrow will be the last apparition for the time being. On 21 May 1944, there is the ninth apparition, during which there is no speaking.
The tenth apparition is on 28th May 1944. Maria says, amongst other things, that Adelaide must pray for hardened sinners and for the Holy Father (the Pope). She will protect the Holy Father. On 29th May 1944, Maria appears for the eleventh time and says that the sick, who wish to be cured, must have more faith and that heaven must be earned. The twelfth apparition is on 30th May 1944 and Adelaide is told that she is precious in Maria’s heart. The apparition also says that She will bring Adelaide to a vale of tears filled with sorrow tomorrow. The last apparition is on 31st May 1944. During the thirteenth meeting, Adelaide hears that Maria must leave her. The seer must reflect on what Maria has told her. Maria will return at the hour of Adelaide’s death. The seer is asked to pray for the Pope, as Maria is concerned that not everyone will be allowed to come to this place. Maria also says that Adelaide must bear everything patiently and then she will see Her again in paradise.
In May 1944, during the period of the apparitions, the events concerning Adelaide Roncalli were investigated by Luigi Cortesi (1913-1985), a professor of philosophy. Adelaide was interviewed, and she stated and wrote that she had not had any apparitions. Later, Adelaide declared that she had made this statement under pressure and fear, which had been dictated by Cortesi. She spoke of moral violence. Subsequently, Adelaide Roncalli repeatedly affirmed that she had had apparitions of Mary.
Agostino (Edoardo) Gemelli (1878-1959), a leading psychologist, was then commissioned by the bishop in July 1944 to investigate whether Adelaide Roncalli was mentally ill. Gemelli examined Adelaide and concluded that she was not ill and that the alleged visions were true. Gemelli was subsequently fiercely challenged by Cortesi.
In 1945, a chapel was built on the site of the apparitions.
On 18 April 1948, Adriano Bernareggi (1884-1953), Bishop (1936-1952) and Archbishop (1953) of Bergamo, issued a statement that the commission of inquiry had concluded it was unaware of the reality of the apparitions. In fact, it was stated that there was no evidence of supernatural events. This did not prevent many pilgrims from visiting, and the pilgrimage site became more widely known.
In 1949, Adelaide Roncalli was granted a private audience with Pius XII, Pope from 1939-1958, born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli (1876-1958). She told the Pope about a secret entrusted by Mary on 17 May 1944.
In 1960, John XXIII, Pope 1958-1963 (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, 1881-1963) wrote a letter to Giuseppe Battaglia (1890-1984), Bishop of Faenza (1944-1976). This letter stated, among other things, that the seer, at 7 years old, had been threatened and frightened, and that she still maintained her conviction that Mary had appeared to her. It seems that the fear of threat is still present. The reopening of the case is not an option.
In 1974, for the 30th anniversary of the apparitions, Clemente Gaddi (1901-1993), Bishop of Bergamo (1963-1977), received a petition with 7,000 signatures from believers requesting permission to pray at the site of the apparitions. The bishop replied that he could not reopen the investigation into the facts without new evidence and that he could not prohibit people from praying at the site of the 1944 events.
Adelaide Roncalli keeps two diaries of the events of the apparitions. These were written in different places and at different times.
On 13th May 2010, a garden of prayer was established at the chapel, with a focus on the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph and Jesus).
Following her death on August 24, 2014, the funeral of the seer Adelaide Rocalli takes place in Bonate Sopra, attended by thousands of well-wishers.
Healings take place in Bonate Sopra Ghiaie, but the church has not to date reversed its earlier ruling. The apparitions have not been recognised by the church, but believers come to the site of the apparitions and experience strength and wellbeing. Annually, the pilgrimage site receives thousands of pilgrims.
Pilgrimage site
In the pilgrimage site, the Holy Family is strikingly depicted.
The chapel of apparitions is called “La Cappella della Madonna delle Ghiaie” (the chapel of the Madonna of Ghiaie). An iron fence keeps visitors at a distance.
In and around the chapel there are beautiful images of Our Lady.
Near the chapel is a garden of prayer. A Way of the Cross made of large blocks makes it very special.
In the garden stands a large, white statue of Mary.
ACCESSIBILITY
The pilgrimage site with the chapel of the Madonna of Ghiaie is located in Bonate Sopra and belongs to the province of Bergamo. The address is: Via C. Carsana 47, 24040 Bonate Sopra (BG). Ghiaie is a district of Bonate Sopra.
Bonate Sopra is located about 10 km from Bergamo.
Current information can be found at www.madonnadelleghiaie.it.
Experience
Upon entering Bonate Sopra, I saw signs referring to the apparitions in 1944. The road to the place of apparition is therefore quite easy to find in Ghiaie.
There is ample parking as I am not here on the weekend or on a Marian feast day. It strikes me that the entire street and the fence of the place of worship are decorated. This is apparently in celebration of 80 years of apparitions 1944-2024. In May 1944, the 7-year-old seer Adelaide Roncalli (1937-2014) received visits from Our Lady 13 times.
Several pilgrims are sitting on benches near the chapel, where the apparitions have taken place. It is raining and the prayer room is thankfully covered. This is a particularly peaceful place a short distance from the bustling city of Bergamo. Here I find peace. My thoughts can wander freely and the seer appears to me in images. Then it is time for prayer to Mary, and I have intentions for some good acquaintances and friends. I also thank Mary that I have been able to come here. Afterwards, there is silence within me, and after an hour, I realise I am richer for a devotional experience.
Behind the chapel is a space where religious items are offered, but unfortunately the shop is closed. I then take a walk around the grounds and I feel as if Mary is walking with me.
Environment
From the metropolis of Milan to Bonate Sopra Ghiaie is 57 km going north-east.
Travelling from Bergamo to Bonate Sopra Ghiaie involves driving 13 km to the west.
From the pilgrimage site of San Damiano to Bonate Sopra Ghiaie means going 135 km north.
Leaving the pilgrimage site of Ghisallo and arriving in Bonate Sopra Ghiaie means travelling 55 km south-east.
Posted: 10 July 2024
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