[Our Lady of the Rosary] Pompeii, Campania, Italy 1875

  with Novena

Pompeii has experienced tragedies and dismal times, but in more recent years the tragedies have been transformed into triumphs of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the unhappy times have been replaced by countless pilgrims who are the joyful recipients of miracles and graces.

One of the first tragedies to visit Pompeii occurred in the year 79 A.D., when Mount Vesuvius erupted with a vengeance. The volcano destroyed the Roman city and concealed it for centuries beneath volcanic ash. The city that developed about a mile from these ruins was also subjected to tragedy when it was ravaged in 1659 by a widespread epidemic of malaria that killed most of the population.

An ancient church that had been built before the epidemic was eventually demolished in 1740, and a smaller one was built as a replacement. Of the once-thriving parish, only a handful of people remained ----- and these were served by a tired and elderly priest. Finally, in addition to the various superstitions that gripped the people, they were additionally troubled and weakened by bandits who terrorized and pillaged. Pompeii eventually became known as "a most dangerous resort of bold and infamous robbers."

But Our Lady never abandons her children, and the most unlikely places have been chosen by her to display the wonders she can perform for those who are devoted to her. The instrument she used for her conquest of this unhappy city was Bartolo Longo [1841-1926], who would at first appear to be a most unlikely choice.

Educated in Naples to be an attorney, Bartolo was introduced to Satanism during his college days. After "ordination" as a priest in the church of Satan, he spent many years in the exercise of his office by preaching, officiating at the rites, publicly ridiculing the Catholic Church and her priests, and speaking against all matters relating to the Catholic religion. Longo was brought to Satan by bad companions; a good friend, Vincente Pepe, brought him back to God. Vincent eventually succeeded in placing Bartolo in the care of a Dominican friar, Alberto Radente, who helped him in the final stages of withdrawal from the sect.

After returning to the Sacraments, Bartolo decided to make reparation by joining a group of people who cared for the poor and the sick. A member of this group was Countess di Fusco, a wealthy widow who owned property near the ancient ruins. Commissioned by her to collect the rents, Bartolo saw for himself the desolation of the city and the spiritual poverty of the people.
 
One day in October 1872, while he paused in the fields near Pompeii, he began to reflect on his previous consecration as a priest of Satan. He tells us:

I thought that perhaps as the priesthood of Christ is for eternity, so also the priesthood of Satan is for eternity. So, despite my repentance, I thought that I was still consecrated to Satan, and that I am still his slave and property as he awaits me in Hell. As I pondered over my condition, I experienced a deep sense of despair and almost committed suicide. Then I heard an echo in my ear of the voice of Friar Alberto repeating the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

"One who propagates my Rosary shall be saved." These words certainly brought an illumination to my soul. Falling to my knees, I exclaimed: "If your words are true that he who propagates your Rosary will be saved, I shall reach salvation because I shall not leave this earth without propagating your Rosary." Like an answer to my promise, the little bell of the parish church of Pompeii rang out, inviting the people to pray the Angelus. This incident was like a signature to my firm decision.

Without delay, Bartolo organized a parish mission and invited a group of priests to speak about devotion to the Holy Rosary. To conclude the mission, he planned to exhibit a painting of Our Lady. He found an appropriate picture in a Naples shop, but unfortunately, he could not afford to purchase it. He was later informed

that the picture was unsuitable, since Canon Law at that time required that a painting be executed in oils upon canvas or wood. The picture he had chosen was an oleograph on paper.

On his return home he shared his disappointment with Friar Alberto Radente, who told him of a painting that a nun named Mother Concetta had in her convent. Since she was willing to part with it, Friar Alberto encouraged Bartolo to ask for it. This painting had originally been discovered in a junk shop by Friar Alberto. He had purchased it for a mere eight carlins, or the equivalent of one dollar. The friar had given the portrait of Our Lady to Mother Concetta some time earlier.

When Bartolo saw this painting, he was extremely displeased by its pitiful condition and its historical and artistical flaws. He described the painting in this manner:

Not only was it worm-eaten, but the face of the Madonna was that of a coarse, rough country-woman . . . a piece of canvas was missing just above her head . . . her mantle was cracked. Nothing can be said of the hideousness of the other figures. St. Dominic looked like a street idiot. To Our Lady's left was St. Rose. This latter I had changed later into a St. Catherine of Siena . . . I hesitated whether to refuse the gift or to accept. I had promised a picture unconditionally for that evening. I took it.

Bartolo was enticed into accepting the picture by Mother Concetta. She encouraged him with the words: "Take it with you; you will see that the Blessed Mother will use this painting to work many miracles." The words proved to be prophetic.

Since the painting was too large for Bartolo to carry back with him, he wrapped it in a sheet and gave it to a man who routinely drove his wagon between Naples and Pompeii. Not knowing the subject of the painting, the man arrived with the portrait positioned atop a load of manure that he was to deliver to a nearby field. In this inauspicious manner the Queen of the Rosary arrived in Pompeii.

The painting arrived on November 13, 1875. Every year the faithful observe the anniversary of the painting's arrival with special prayers and observances.

Two months after its arrival, in January of 1876, the picture's first restoration was completed in time for the canonical foundation of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary which had been organized by Bartolo Longo. Another restoration took place in 1879 by Maldarelli, a Neapolitan artist, who thought at first that the task was hopeless. Still another restoration is said to have taken place in 1965 by artists at the Vatican.

As a fitting shrine for this painting, Bartolo arranged for the building of a magnificent church. Its construction was funded by the pennies of the poor and the substantial gifts of the rich.

While it was being built, three outstanding miracles took place. The first involved a twelve-year-old child, Clorinda Lucarelli, a victim of fierce attacks of epilepsy. Distraught relatives of the child made a promise to help in the building of the proposed church if the child recovered her health. Clorinda was cured on the day the picture was exposed for veneration. Two doctors certified on oath that the cure was nothing less than miraculous.

A young woman, Concetta Vasterilla, who was dying in agony, was also cured when similar promises were made. During the day when the cornerstone of the new church was laid, May 8, 1876, Fr. Anthony Varone, who had received the Last Sacraments and was dying of a gangrenous condition, was likewise healed. He celebrated Holy Mass the following morning and acknowledged his miraculous cure from the pulpit on the feast of the Holy Rosary.

A month after the cornerstone was laid, another miracle took place when Madame Giovannina Muta was cured. She had been in the last stages of consumption when she was persuaded to make certain promises to Our Lady of Pompeii. On June 8, while Madame Muta lay in bed, she saw in a vision the picture of Our Lady of Pompeii  ----- although she had never seen the picture in actuality. But as she gazed, Our Lady seemed to cast her way a ribbon on which was written: "The Virgin of Pompeii grants your request, Giovannina Muta." When the vision faded, Madame Muta was completely cured. Other marvelous miracles and favors have taken place which are far too numerous to mention here.

While the Sanctuary was being constructed, Bartolo turned his interest to helping orphans, writing books about the history of the Rosary and composing novenas and a prayer manual for use at the Sanctuary. While engaged in these activities Bartolo found time to marry the widow, Countess Mariana di Fusco, on April 1, 1885.

Together the couple spent their time and money in helping the many orphans who were entrusted to their care. They likewise helped candidates to the priesthood and religious life, Bartolo being credited with paying for the education of about 45 seminarians.

The church was consecrated by Cardinal La Valletta, Papal Legate for Pope Leo Xlll, in May of 1891. In 1934, at the express command of Pope Pius XI, a great new basilica was begun. Completed in 1939, it was opened in the name of Pope Pius XII by Cardinal Magliones, Secretary of State to His Holiness. Pope St. Pius X had earlier expressed support for the Sanctuary and devotion to Our Lady of Pompeii.

The miraculous portrait of Our Lady of the Rosary is situated high atop the main altar of this artistically enriched sanctuary. In its golden frame, the colorful painting depicts the Blessed Mother seated upon a throne. On her knee is the Child Jesus, who is handing a Rosary to St. Dominic, while the Blessed Mother is handing a rosary to St. Catherine of Siena. Pope Leo XIll once stated, "God has made use of this image to grant those favors which have moved the whole world."

This once-discarded portrait, costing a mere dollar, which arrived in Pompeii under the humblest conditions, is now studded with diamonds and gems which were donated to Our Lady by her grateful clients.

It has been estimated that at least 10,000 pilgrims visit the sanctuary each day, but twice a year, on May 8 and the first Sunday of October, at least 100,000 pilgrims join in the solemn prayers which Bartolo Longo composed.

The former Satanist, the devout convert, respected lawyer and champion of the orphaned lived a long life of 85 years, dying on October 5, 1926. The tombs of Bartolo Longo and his wife are found in the crypt of the sanctuary.

The promise of the Blessed Mother that "One who propagates my Rosary shall be saved" was realized when Pope John Paul II affirmed the salvation of Bartolo Longo's soul at the ceremony of beatification which was conducted on October 26, 1980.

 High atop the main altar of the basilica in Pompeii is found the miraculous painting that long ago had been purchased in a junk shop for the equivalent of one dollar.

MIRACLES AND FAVORS have taken place through the intercession of Our Lady of Pompeii, pictured above. The Blessed Mother, seated upon a throne, is depicted holding the Child Jesus on her knee. He hands a rosary to St. Dominic, and the Blessed Virgin places a rosary into the hand of St. Catherine of Siena. The portrait is embellished by diamonds and other gems donated by grateful followers of Our Lady.