Our Lady of Mercy 4
Biancavilla, Italy (1482)
According to tradition, after setting up camp, a small group of exiles hung the sacred icon on a fig tree. In the morning, when they were to résumé the journey, the exiles found it inextricably tangled in the branches of the fig tree, grown overnight.
The miraculous event was interpreted as the will of the Mother of God to stay in that place, where the small group could find a new home. Count Gian Tommaso Moncada, lord of the place, learning of the occurrence, gave the Greek-Albanian colony permission to stay. Several miracles including stopping a draught and a plague, followed. The festivities on October 4th honor patrons San Placido and San Zeno. After Mass, the icon goes in procession through the streets of the historie town center.
Text and image used with permission.
Source: "365 Days with Mary" by Michael O'Neill
Download the free "365 Days with Mary" app
Listen to "365 Days with Mary" each week on The Miracle Hunter® on EWTN Radio