27 MARCH - OUR MOTHER OF FOGGIA

 In the country near Foggia, there was a forest of oak trees, on the outskirts of which lived an elderly peasant, poor and miserable of life. He owned a team of oxen with 

      which he worked the adjacent field and managed thereby to keep body and soul together. He was much devoted to the Blessed Virgin, who decided to repay him for his devotion 

      and bestow her graces on him in a singular manner. On a Saturday in the early spring, Mary appeared to him in the midst of the foliage of the oak trees; her garments were 

      trimmed with stars from which dazzling rays of light shone forth. The old man was startled at this unexpected and splendid sight and began to pray. His two oxen likewise 

      bowed their heads in mute adoration. The vision vanished and when the peasant raised his eyes he saw in the crotch of the tree a lovely statue of Our Mother. Quickly he ran 

      to his rude little hut, obtained a metal vase, filled it with oil and returning to the tree, hung it as a lamp on the branch in front of the statue. The initial filling of the

       oil lasted for many years without any replenishment. The rustic little lamp is still preserved in the present sanctuary.




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