Miracle of Mother Mary in Chiavari, Italy. MARIA

Madonna Del'Orto # Our Lady of the Garden# Chiavari # Italy # Miracle of Our Lady # Story about Mother Mary # MARIA
The Story of the Most Holy Virgin of the Garden
This story begins in the hot spring of 1493 in northern Italy, which was struck by the terrible disease of cholera. The streets were deserted because people stayed in their homes to avoid infection, as many died helplessly. Almost every household was touched by suffering—children, young people, adults, and the elderly all bore the marks of pain on their faces. The disease spread quickly, reaching the neighboring city of Chavari.
Days passed, and a woman named Turquina—approached the Most Holy
Virgin with complete trust and fervor. Deeply concerned about the suffering caused by cholera, she prayed with great devotion, imploring the grace she most desired at that moment: that the plague be removed and that no one in her family suffer from the disease.
Slowly, the cholera epidemic affecting Chavarí diminished until it disappeared. Turquina, a woman of deep faith, fulfilled the promise she had made to Mary with a public act of devotion. She entrusted the young Blessed Borsone with the task of painting the image of the Most Holy Virgin holding the Child Jesus in her arms. In the painting, she raises the little hand of the Child, blessing the people.
This beautiful work was painted on the wall of a garden belonging to Captain Bari, so that all who passed by could honor the Virgin Mother with a simple glance, a serene smile, or a word of gratitude. Mary became a center of spiritual radiance.
Over the years, devotion to the Virgin of the Garden gradually waned. That sacred place, once so frequented, fell into neglect. One day, a woman named Jerónima Turio, on her way to work, stopped by the image of Mary. Upon seeing it, she felt deep sorrow at the loneliness and neglect surrounding it.
Three months later, while Jerónima—faithful and devoted to Mary—was sleeping in her room, a powerful light filled the space and woke her. In the midst of the brightness, she saw a lady resembling the image painted on the garden wall. Deeply moved by the vision, she prayed for her son Bartolomé, who was sick. When Jerónima learned that her son, a sailor, was out of danger, she went to the image with a heart full of gratitude. Along with her prayer of thanksgiving, she offered Mary a lamp, which would remain forever lit.
On July 2, 1610, the young Sebastián Descalzo hurried through the streets of the garden. Suddenly, to his great surprise, amidst a powerful radiance, he saw the charming Virgin Mary entering the garden, passing through the wall, and stopping at the painting. Sebastián fell to his knees beside the image and tenderly gazed at the Mother, who smiled at him sweetly.
Sebastián recounted to his friends the adventure of that blessed morning. His story of the Virgin’s apparition awakened great enthusiasm. Many recovered their physical health, and others grew in faith, hope, and love.
With the passage of time, a sanctuary was built at the site of the apparition, large enough to welcome children seeking the Mother’s comfort, help, protection, and care.
Saint Antonio María Gianelli, when founding a congregation to care for girls, said, “They shall be called the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden.