Pope to bless Our Lady’s statue on Rome’s Mt.Mario

(May 19,2010) Pope Benedict XVI will bless the restored statue of Our Lady popularly known as the “Madonnina” situated atop Rome’s Mt. Mario, said a communiqué from Vatican’s Press Office on Wednesday. It said Pope Benedict XVI will go to Rome’s “Don Orione” Centre on June 24^th. to pause in prayer before the statue and bless it. Soon after, the Pope will visit the cloistered community of Dominican nuns in the nearby Monastery of the Holy Mary of the Rosary in Via Cadolo.
The nine metres tall gold covered copper statue of Our Lady, had fallen from its 19 metre high pedestal after a strong windy rainstorm last 12^th October. The collapse of the much loved statue that overlooks the city of Rome, had caused the local authorities and the people of Rome to call for its speedy restoration and re-instalment. In a message to the Superior General of “Don Orion,” Pope Benedict had wished that the statue be relocated as soon as possible to the people of Rome so devoted to it.
The short pilgrimage of the Pope, with the blessing of the restored Madonna assumes great significance for the religious and civil authorities throughout the city of Rome as the statue evokes historical events.
The date of the Pope’s visit also coincides with the Feast of “Fathers Day”, which the Orione Family promotes throughout the world in keeping with the tradition of St. Luigi Orione.