1888Bishop Approved

Our Lady of Sorrows (Castelpetroso)

Castelpetroso, Italy

Visionaries: Fabiana Cecchino (35) and Serafina Giovanna Valentino (33), two shepherdesses

Overview

Two shepherdesses, Fabiana Cecchino and Serafina Giovanna Valentino, saw the Blessed Virgin Mary first as the Pieta — holding the body of her crucified Son — and later as Our Lady of Sorrows, in a rocky cave near Castelpetroso in the Molise region of Italy. The apparitions were accompanied by a healing spring that appeared at the site.

History

On March 22, 1888, Fabiana Cecchino and Serafina Giovanna Valentino were tending their sheep near Castelpetroso when they saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a cave, kneeling beside the body of her crucified Son in a scene reminiscent of the Pieta. The apparitions continued through June 1890, with many subsequent witnesses. A healing spring appeared at the site. The local bishop investigated and approved the apparitions in 1889. A grand neo-Gothic sanctuary, the Sanctuary of the Addolorata, was built on the site and consecrated in 1975.

Location

Sanctuary of the Addolorata, Castelpetroso

Castelpetroso, Italy

41.55, 14.35

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Pilgrim Voices

Testimonies, experiences, and reviews from our community

Pilgrim ExperienceVisited June 2025

My visit to Our Lady of Sorrows (Castelpetroso)

I was not prepared for how emotional my visit to Our Lady of Sorrows (Castelpetroso) in Castelpetroso would be. Something about standing where Our Lady appeared, knowing the history, knowing the messages, it broke through all my defenses. I wept openly and I am not ashamed of it.

September 10, 2025

Pilgrim ExperienceVisited September 2024

My visit to Our Lady of Sorrows (Castelpetroso)

The apparition site of Our Lady of Sorrows (Castelpetroso) in Castelpetroso has an atmosphere unlike anywhere else I have visited. You can feel the prayers of millions of pilgrims who have come before you. I attended Mass at the shrine and it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life.

November 29, 2024