Todiguide guide turistiche della Regione Umbria 389 424 62 62

The Sanctuary of Merciful Love in Collevalenza, Todi

The Sanctuary of Merciful Love in Collevalenza, Todi

Collevalenza is a tiny village not far from Todi – about 4 miles -, belonging to the Municipality, and quite famous in Italy as a pilgrimage site thanks to the Sanctuary of Merciful Love.

santuario

Founder and beating heart of both the order and the sanctuary is the Blessed Mother Speranza, a charismatic woman and nun who was born in Santomera – Spain – in 1893. She took vows at the age of 21; in 1930 she founded the Congregation of the Handmaids of Merciful Love and a few years later the order of the Sons of Merciful Love. The first community of the new order was opened in Rome.

Beata Madre Speranza

In 1951 she moved to Collevalenza with her nuns and soon afterwards their humble house became too small to welcome all the people gathering there to ask for help and prayers. The work for a new and bigger sanctuary began in 1954 with a first small chapel, “The Chapel of Merciful Love”. The sanctuary was designed by Spanish architect Julio Lafuente. The construction was completed in 1965; the building – basilica and crypt – was officially consecrated by Mons. Fustella, bishop of Todi, and solemnly inaugurated by His Eminence Cardinal Ottaviani, along with another 62 bishops from all over the world. The aim of the sanctuary was to spread the concept of the huge unlimited love of Jesus for us. 

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The crucifix was made following Mother Speranza’s lead

Mother Speranza died in 1983, but 2 years before her death she had the immense joy and grace of welcoming Pope St. John Paul 2nd to the Sanctuary; it was a memorable day for the order and for the sanctuary since a few months later the pope himself conferred upon the sanctuary the title of  Minor Basilica.

mother

The pope also visited Todi on the same day, November 22nd, 1981.

papa

Mother Speranza was buried in the crypt of the Sanctuary.

tomba

She was beatified on May 31st, 2014.

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The day of the beatification

Mine was just an attempt of introducing a holy place which attracts many visitors, not just pilgrims, but also curious people browsing Todi’s countryside. It’s not easy to explain the deep spirituality of Mother Speranza and her sanctuary. If  you would like to learn more about Mother Speranza’s spiritual message, check the collevalenza.it or this other article 

 

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