The apparitions of Mary in Schio have one seer, Pietro Renato Baron (1932-2004), who is called Renato. Renato Baron received a solid Christian upbringing. During his studies, Renato Baron worked in his spare time as a nurse and as a sacristan in the church of San Martino in Schio. By attending evening classes, he further developed himself into a business economist. Renato worked for several years in the textile industry and for the motorway company from Piovene Rocchette until his retirement in 1989. Renato Baron was a realist, business economist, municipal councillor, faction leader in the municipal council and party secretary of the Christian Democrats. This is what he was, as he became a mystic. Later, he called himself an apostle of Mary because of the many apparitions to him.
In 1940, the statue “Our Lady of the Rosary” is placed in the church of San Martino by Capuchin friars from Schio. Renato Baron is present at the blessing of the statue.
In 1951, Renato discovered that the statue “Mary of the Rosary” had been placed in a corner of the sacristy. He felt sorry for this statue and requested that the priests place the statue in the church during the month of May. This request was granted. On 31 May 1952, there was a severe thunderstorm which prevented the statue from being returned to the sacristy. The same thing happened in May 1953 and 1954. After that, the prior said that it would be better for the statue of Mary to remain in the church.
In 1952, Renato baron married Margherita (Rita) Menin. The couple moved to the Aste district, which is part of Schio.
From 1960, Renato Baron was repeatedly elected to the Schio municipal council. From 1970 to 1975, he was the party leader for his party on the council and also party secretary for the Christian Democrats (Democrazia Cristiana).
On 4 April 1969, it is Good Friday and a cross made of steel pipes is blessed on the summit of Monte di Cristo hill, formerly called Belmonte.
In Schio, Maria calls herself the “Queen of Love”. Between 25 March 1985 and 15 August 2004, Maria gave around 1500 messages to Renato Baron. These brought many spiritual fruits to the people. On 25 March 1985, Renato Baron, a volunteer sacristan of the small church, knelt and prayed before the statue of the “Madonna del Rosario” (Mother of the Rosary) in the church of San Martino in Schio. Renato felt nothing more, and suddenly the statue began to move and speak to him with a smile. He heard a voice say: “From now on, I will come here, as I have many things to tell you, which you will write down. Come back here tomorrow.” From then on, Renato was expected here every day as Maria had so much to discuss with him. This was the first of many apparitions of Maria to Renato Baron. Maria's message of 25 March 1986 was not just a wish, but also a demand. She said that the elderly should be given attention. A large house was to be built to house widows, the lonely, and priests. Maria would provide the workers and resources. This was called the “Work of Love”. Its realisation took place more than 7 years later.
The following day, 26 March 1985, the Apparition makes herself known: “It is I. I am Mary. I am the Mother of God. It is truly I, who am speaking to you. Take what I say seriously and from now on, write down all my words. I will prepare you. One day you will speak... We must convert so many souls together who lead to Jesus.”
On 28 November 1985, Maria said to Renato Baron in Schio: “I am the Queen of Love”.
Since the appearance of 2 December 1985, the Child Jesus on Mary's arm has also become alive. In the preceding months, only Mary moved.
During Holy Week in 1986, Renato and his friends and colleagues from the Maria movement place 13 simple wooden crosses along the road to Monte di Cristo, representing the Stations of the Cross. The 14th station is the large steel cross at the top of the hill. Halfway up the Stations of the Cross is a spring with fresh water. On 29 March 1986, Easter Saturday, the Stations of the Cross on Monte di Cristo hill are prayed for the first time. In 1986, a stone altar is built on the hill. A year later, bronze statues of Mary and Jesus are added. On the night of 11 April 1986, Mary appears for the first time on Monte di Cristo. Here, she appears differently than in the church of San Martino, namely barefoot and wearing a long, white dress. On 27 October 1986, Mary says in Schio: “I come to bring you peace and love.”
On 11 November 1986, the cross in Renato Baron's prayer room began to emit a scent. Later, this also happened with the then cross of the 2nd Station of the Cross on Monte di Cristo hill. This cross is made of acacia wood. An investigation takes place into the emission of the scent, but the cause is not found. On 16 July 1987, Maria says about the cross smelling that it is a sign. Blood will come from this cross. No one will see it with their eyes, only those with the eyes of faith. Whoever touches this cross will be blessed. The scent occurs more frequently, namely in places where Maria appears, such as in the crypt of Cenacolo, on Monte di Cristo, and in the little church of San Martino. The source on the Way of the Cross also smells, often the water does too, and some visitors perceive the scent.
In 1987, Renato baron and some associates founded the “Marian Movement of the Queen of Love”. The aim of this organisation is to realise Mary's wishes.
The first apparition in Cenacolo, the prayer house, was on 12 June 1987.
On 28 December 1987, the Child Jesus, a plaster statue gifted from Bethlehem, weeps at the Cenacolo prayer house. This statue cries human tears for 7 hours, and it is witnessed by many attendees. In total, the Jesus statue weeps 5 times, specifically on 28 December 1987, 31 December 1990, 4 May 1993, 30 September 1997, and 19 June 2000.
In the Chapel of the Cenacolo, a new statue of Mary is being placed on 16 July 1988.
On 26 November 1989, the San Martino church was closed pending new ecclesiastical guidelines.
The building “Piccola Opera”, a home for the elderly, will be consecrated on 8th December 1993.
In the Poleo district, “Casa Annunziata” will be opened on 8 September 1996. Maria wished for this to be a visible and tangible sign of her presence and maternal care for the weakest and poorest.
On the apparition of 8 December 1999, Mary says: “My image may be given a place of honour in all homes, institutions, hospitals, schools, and indeed everywhere people are. With My image, I assure you of My presence.”
On 28 December 2000, Renato Baron relays a message from Maria concerning euthanasia. Maria states that the world has reached a decisive point. If Italy's euthanasia law is passed, humanity will suffer because it has abandoned God. The “Law Authorising Euthanasia” is passed in Italy on 24 September 2019. On this day, the large, wooden cross at the prayer site of Schio collapses. An attempt to protest the law is banned by the courts in December 2019. In China, the first case of coronavirus infection is recorded this month. Italy follows in February 2020; tens of thousands contract the infection and die.
Over the years, a large group of sympathisers forms around Renato Baron. They work towards the realisation of a centre desired by Maria. A neglected villa with a park is purchased near the church of San Martino. This complex is henceforth called Opera dell’Amore. The villa and park invite prayer and spiritual reflection. In the crypt, a cellar space of the prayer house Cenacolo, apparitions of Maria also take place. Renato receives hundreds of apparitions from Our Lady. These begin in the small church of San Martino, then mostly at home, in the crypt of Cenacolo, and on the hill of Monte di Cristo. The apparitions do not occur at fixed times, though the Mother of God does appear when praying the Stations of the Cross on Monte di Cristo. Except in the church, Maria appears barefoot with outstretched hands. The apparitions to Renato Baron show no pathological characteristics; there are therefore no references to an illness that leads to changes in his body.
Twice, John Paul II, Pope from 1978 to 2005, spoke personally with Renato Baron. He confirmed Renato in his mission from Mary. Cardinal Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (born 1927), later Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013), paid a personal visit to the Church of San Marino in 1992 and had a private meeting with Renato Baron. He stated that in Schio, heaven is at work.
At Christmas 2002, the elaborate nativity scene was enriched with even more figures. The stable with all sorts of figures is located in the park of the place of prayer.
The Marian movement “Queen of Love” (Associazone Opera dell’Amore) was founded on 2 February 1987, originating from the apparitions of Our Lady in Schio (1985-2004). Renato Baron, the sole visionary, received around 1500 messages from Mary until shortly before his death. From this movement grew the desire of heaven for the “Work of Love,” through which both heavenly love and charity towards one's neighbour become a reality. This lay organisation has grown to 40,000 faithful from many European countries. The Marian movement has its own radio station, “Radio Kolbe.”.
The messages of Maria have been examined by the Archdiocese of Vicenza and released for publication. The messages are in full agreement with Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Church. They contain valuable and concrete pastoral directives to achieve a spirit of love and profound theological statements on fundamental truths of faith. Furthermore, Maria's messages contain prophetic observations about the signs of the times and the path to a hopeful future. By a decree of October 17, 2017, the Diocese of Vicenza consented for the “Cenacolo di Preghiera” to be considered a place of prayer. However, the apparitions have not been recognised by the Church.
Schio is a small town in the province of Vicenza and belongs to the diocese of Vicenza.
The little church of San Martino stands on Via San Martino, in the Aste district of Schio. The small building is shaped like a hut and houses frescoes. It is central as the site of apparitions and is the oldest house of worship in the town. The little church was built on the ruins of a temple as early as the 7th century. Enlargement took place in the 10th century. After the occupation by Napoleon's French army in 1810, the little church came into private ownership and underwent restoration. The small building is often closed.
At the pilgrimage site, there is a Way of the Cross. On Friday at 9.00 PM, the Way of the Cross on Monte di Cristo is recited.
Near “Casa Anunziata” and “Piccolo Opera” is the pilgrim house “Casa Nazareth”. It has all the necessary facilities to accommodate groups of visitors of up to 50 people. In the basement is the Brother Klaus chapel.
The magazine “Queen of Love” is published four times a year.
On 2 January 1986, Maria taught Renato Baron the following prayer, which is still recited by pilgrims in Schio:
“O Mary, Queen of the world,
Mother of Goodness,
relying on your advocacy
we offer our souls to You.
Guides us every day
to the source of joy.
Give us the Saviour.
We dedicate ourselves to you,
Queen of Love.
Amen.”
Schio lies between Trento and Vicenza, on the edge of the plain, at the foot of the Prealps. The city belongs to the province of Vicenza.
The place of worship is located at Via Tombon 14, 36015 Schio. Nearby is the small church “Chiesetta S. Martino” on Via San Martino.
The address of the Mary Movement Queen of Love is
Via Lipari 4, 36015 Schio and more information can be read at www.reginadellamore.org.
Upon arriving at the place of prayer, it was very impressive. I see images, especially of Mary, souvenirs, a chapel, various rooms with a statue of the once weeping Child Jesus and a Way of the Cross. There are also pictures of the seer Renato Baron to look at and texts to read. He has had such a turbulent life, especially in receiving 1500 messages from the Virgin Mary. I stand for a long time contemplating the two statues of Mary and Renato Baron.
Visiting the extensive nativity scene with its many figures is well worth seeing. What expressions of creativity in this neatly maintained place of worship.
I want to visit the small church of San Marino, where so much has happened. The distance from the Cenacolo is less than a kilometre. It's a descent of a few dozen metres and then I'll be at the gate. Unfortunately, the church is closed. Still, I try to see something of the interior and a small stained-glass window offers a solution. I learn that the bell tower was made in 1493.
The Monte di Cristo hill is worth visiting and at the summit stands the steel cross, 6m high and 4m wide. This cross has so much history. What a truly active and faithful man the seer Renato Baron is!
Finally, I buy devotional items and a few books in German and English. The shop is full of all sorts of special items from the place of apparition. I walk through the space once more and take a bit more for friends and myself. I am very grateful to be allowed to come here.
The city of Vicenza is located 38 km south-east of Schio. In the “Places of Pilgrimage in Italy” section, Vicenza is highlighted.
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Visiting the town of Follina means travelling 94 km north-east of Schio.
The abbey in Follina is located at Via Pallade 2-6, 31051 Follina TV, near the town centre. Around the year 1000, the abbey “Santa Maria di Follina” was founded by Benedictine monks. In 1268, another building was added. Through a donation to the Cistercian monks, the abbey with its Gothic-Romanesque church could be expanded in 1335.
In 1448, Venetian rulers decided that the abbey was to be evacuated. In 1573, a new order arrived at the abbey, namely the Camaldolese, “Ordo Sancti Benedicti Camaldoli, osb.cam.), a branch of the Benedictines, which was founded in 1023 and abolished by the Venetian Republic in 1771. In 1820, clergy returned to the abbey. Almost a century later, in 1915, the building became a monastery once more with the arrival of members of the Order of the Servants of Mary (Servi di Maria).
In 1921, restoration works took place and a fresco depicting Saint Thomas Aquinas was discovered.
On the main altar of the church stands an effigy of Mary with Child: Nostra Signora del Sacro Calice (Our Lady of the Holy Chalice). It is a copy of a statue found in the church of San Zaccaria in Venice. The original artwork is presumed to date from the 5th century and originates from Nubia, an area in the south of Egypt and the north of Sudan. The effigy probably arrived as a result of a crusade.
Around the cloister garden there is a large cloister walk.
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