Pope ascends mountain peak to pay tribute at Marion sanctuary
Pope Leo XIV Visits Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in Mentorella
Pope Leo XIV made a significant pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Grace in Mentorella, located in central Italy, on August 19. During his visit, the Pope met with the Polish priests of the Resurrectionist order who have cared for the shrine since 1857.
The shrine, originally built under the order of Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, is nestled amidst the picturesque Italian landscape that the Pope admired during his visit. St. John Paul II, who visited Mentorella frequently, including before his election as pope in 1978 and two weeks after his election, had also expressed his admiration for the shrine's location.
During his visit, Pope Leo XIV helped ring the church bells at noon and prayed the Angelus with the priests. However, there is no mention of him doing so at Mentorella. Instead, these activities are recorded from his visit to Castel Gandolfo.
At Mentorella, the Pope visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace and the Cave of St. Benedict. Unlike St. John Paul II, who is known to have sung the "Magnificat" at Mentorella, there is no record of Pope Leo XIV doing so during his visit.
After his visit, Pope Leo XIV returned to Castel Gandolfo for the afternoon, but there is no mention of him returning to the Vatican that night. This visit to Mentorella marked a significant moment in the Pope's pilgrimage, reflecting the deep-rooted history and spiritual significance of the shrine.
Before Pope Leo XIV, the shrine was cared for by Benedictine monks. The Resurrectionist order did not take over its care until after Pope Leo XIII. Despite this, the Polish priests of the Resurrectionist order have been diligently maintaining the shrine since 1857.
This visit by Pope Leo XIV to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in Mentorella is a testament to the enduring significance of this holy site and the Pope's commitment to fostering a strong connection with the Catholic faith and its historical roots.
