08 APRIL - OUR MOTHER OF THE VALLEY (SICILY)

 A soldier named Dionysius remained behind on the island of Sicily to engage in banditry, having been enticed by the wealth on the island and his greed for the money he felt 

    he could easily steal from others. Assault, theft and murder meant nothing to him. There was a certain man named Giles who lived in the city of Catania. 

    As Giles passed through the wood beneath Mount Etna, a bandit barred his way and threatened his life with a dagger. Suddenly the earth shook violently and a globe of blinding 

    light appeared nearby. From within the light a woman’s voice heard not touch the devotee and cease this life of banditry. Dionysus retreated alone to his cave to weep over his sins. 

    Knowing his sincerity, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him where he lived to comfort him. Dionysius kept the faith and continued to live on Valverde as a hermit. 

    One night he was rapt in prayer when he was struck by an intense beam of light and saw a cloud in which the Madonna appeared surrounded by heavenly angels. 

    The image, now known as Our Mother of the Valley, depicts the Virgin Mary seated and wearing a robe with gold accents. Her head is covered with a veil, although Mary’s hair 

    can be seen framing her face. With her right hand she holds the Divine Child, who is seated upon a red and gold cushion.




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