Messages of Rosa Mystica

In these apparitions of Our Lady from Montichiari, Italy, the messages of the Rosa Mystica hold a special relevance to us today. As the message calls for a renewal of priestly religious life throughout the Church, with the promise of great graces for those who complete the "Hour of Grace" from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we again wish to highlight these timely messages for the contemporary Church. – Ed.

Apparition of Spring, 1947

While she was praying in the chapel of the local hospital in Montichiari, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to nurse Pierina Gilli, dressed in mauve, very sad and with tears in Her eyes. Her heart was pierced by three swords.

The first sword symbolized the unworthy celebration of Holy Mass and Communion unworthily received; the second sword symbolized those who were unfaithful to, or gave up, their vocation as a priest or a religious; the third sword symbolized the betrayal of the Faith. Our Lady asked for "Prayer, Sacrifice, and Penance." These were her only words.

Apparition of July, 1947

Our Lady appeared to Pierina in a white dress. She was adorned with three beautiful roses: white, red and yellow, which Pierina was allowed to see in place of the three swords. The white rose represented the spirit of prayer, the red one represented the spirit of sacrifice, and the yellow rose the spirit of penance and conversion. Pierina had not yet recognized the Mother of God, and she asked the apparition, "Please tell me, who are you?"

In reply to this question She smiled and said:

I am the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of you. Our Lord sends me to bring a new Marian Devotion to all religious orders and institutes, male and female, and to the priests of this world. I promise to protect those religious orders and institutes who will venerate me in this special way, increase their vocations, and achieve a greater striving for saintliness among the servants of God.

I wish that the 13th of each month be celebrated as a Marian Day. Special prayers are to be said during the proceeding twelve days.

With an expression of great joy, She continued:

On this day I shall pour out vocational holiness and abundant graces on those religious orders and spiritual institutes who have honoured me especially.

I wish that the 13th of July be celebrated each year in honor of the Rosa Mystica (the Mystical Rose)

Pierina asked whether a miracle would follow. Our Lady replied:

The seer, Pierina, interpreted the words "Mystical Rose" as follows: "Mary is the master teacher of the innermost, mystical life and the Mother of the mystical body of Christ; in other words: She is the Mother of the Church."

This interpretation by Pierina was magnificently confirmed by Pope Paul VI in his final speech during the third meeting of the council, on 21st November, l964, when he declared Mary as the Mother of the Church.

Apparition of October 22, 1947

Pierina saw Our Lady again in the chapel of the hospital, in the presence of many staff members, doctors, and people from the town. This time, Our Lady requested that the desired devotion be realized, and said:

Pierina thanked Our Lady in the name of all present. Our Lady finished Her dialogue with the words:

Apparition of November, 16, 1947

Our Lady appeared in the Basilica of Montichiari in the presence of some people. Among them were several priests. Pierina heard the words:

Pierina replied to Our Lady's request with a willing "Yes." The Blessed Virgin added:

In reply to the seer's question on whether we may hope for forgiveness, Our Lady said:

With these words She went away.

Apparition of November 22, 1947

Our Lady appeared once more to Pierina in the Basilica of Montichiari in the presence of several people, and demanded that the seer make the Sign of the Cross four times with her tongue on the tiles in the center of the church. Our Lady then descended onto the spot and said:

I descend on this place, for many great conversions will happen here.

And in a sad voice She continued:

The Christians of your Italian nation belong to those who offend most my Divine Son Jesus through their sins of unchastity. Our Lord demands, therefore, prayer, generous sacrifices, and penance.

Pierina asked: "What do we have to do to fulfill your demands for prayer and penance?" Our Lady replied full of tenderness:

After a short, silent pause, She explained:

Thereupon She promised solemnly:

Pierina asked: "Please explain to me the meaning of Hour of Grace."

This was the only time that Our Lady announced Her next appearance. All other apparitions came unannounced.

Apparition of December 7, 1947

Our Blessed Virgin appeared once more at the Basilica of Montichiari. Three people were present including the father confessor of the seer. Our Lady, the Mystical Rose, wore a white cloak which was held by a boy at the right-hand side, and by a girl on the left-hand side.

Our Lady said:

I shall show my heart tomorrow of which the people know so little. In Fatima I asked that the devotion to my heart be spread.

And with an ever sweeter voice She went on:

I wanted to bring my heart into Christian families in Bonate (near Bergamo, Italy).

After a brief pause She added:

Our Lady then confided a secret to Pierina with the promise that She would tell her the time for the secret to be made public. Pierina also wanted to know who the children were. Our Lady replied:

Our Lady then spread out Her arms as a sign of Her protection, lifted Her eyes to Heaven and disappeared with the words:

Praised be the Lord!

Apparition of December 8, 1947

On this great feast countless priests were present. It was only with a great deal of effort that Pierina was able to get into the Basilica. She knelt in the center of the church, just where the other apparitions had taken place. During the recitation of the Holy Rosary, Pierina called out: "O, Our Lady!"

Great silence ensued! Our Lady appeared on a large white staircase, decorated with a white, red and yellow rose. She said with a smile:

Descending several steps with great majesty She continued:

Descending even more, She said:

Then Our Lady showed Pierina her heart and said:

Look at this heart which loves mankind so very much, but most people only shower offenses upon it. If the good and the bad unite in prayer they will obtain mercy and peace through this heart. The Lord is still protecting the good and is holding back a great punishment because of my intercession.

Our Lady smiled again and went on:

Soon one will recognize the greatness of this Hour of Grace.

When Pierina saw that Our Lady was going to depart, she said: "Dear Lady, I thank you! Bless my homeland Italy and the whole world, but especially the Holy Father, the priests, the religious, and the sinners."

Our Lady replied:

She assured Pierina that she would return at a suitable time when the secret entrusted to her would be made public through the Ecclesiastical authority. Our Lady then said "good-bye."

Apparitions at Fontanelle

Pierina withdrew to a convent where, hidden from the world, she served in the kitchen and where she waited in silence for the hour which, as promised, came after 19 years, on White Sunday (the Sunday after Easter), 17th of April, 1966, in Fontanelle, a settlement of only a few houses spread around and situated about 2-3 km outside Montichiari. Our Blessed Lady kept her promise.

Apparition of April 17, 1966

The Most Blessed Virgin said:

My Divine Son is total love, and he is sending me to give miraculous powers to this spring. As a sign of penance and purification kiss the top step.

Steps made of stone led down from the path to the spring.

Our Lady followed the seer.

With Her left hand Our Lady indicated the spot.