---

It is, one must admit, a somewhat astonishing turn of events.

On Saturday, December 7, eve of the Immaculate Conception, the Bishop of Brescia, Italy, Monsignor Pierantonio Tremolada, will preside at a Mass during the canonical institution of the “Rosa Mystica-Mother of the Church Diocesan Shrine” in Fontanelle.

It is extraordinary because this is an apparition site — one with prophetic messages — that’s the basis for thousands of Rosa Mystica statues which allegedly have spawned miracles around the world (and have been blessed by at least one Pope).

It is especially mind-boggling because back many years ago, when I visited the main basilica in nearby Montichiari, where many of the apparitions occurred (along with Fontanelle), I was surprised to learn that the apparitions which started there in 1947 had been condemned by the then-local bishop, Bruno Foresti, who in a formal declaration said that the Mystica phenomena failed to “give good reasons for credibility” and that whoever promoted it “disturbs the faith of believers, inducing them to act contrary to the teachings of the Church.”

Though the decree, and a more recent one in 2013, still stand, in some ways they have been reversed or at least profoundly lightened — something we have seen at other places. As at Medjugorje, which also now accepts official Church pilgrimages, the actual apparitions and messages remain under study.

I had been surprised, back during that visit, in 1991, because the Rosa Mystica seemed like a beautiful apparition, and statues fashioned after it were inexplicably exuding tears. A nurse named Pierina Gilli was the visionary, and her messages connected in a very direct way to Fatima, starting with the fact that the second apparition was on the same day of the year, June 13, as the second Fatima appearance.

Pierina claimed that apparitions occurred both in the hospital where she worked and at the Montichiari basilica. At her first manifestation, Mary arrived in a mournful purplish dress and a white veil. She had been visibly melancholic, her tears falling to the floor, her breast pierced by several swords. She had said only three words, “prayer, penitence, expiation.”

Many are those who don’t realize that beyond Confession is the sacrifice or suffering needed to purge or “expiate” the residue of sin (here on earth, instead of in purgatory).

Upon her second visit the Virgin was dressed more cheerfully, with a white dress and in place of the swords, red, white, and gold roses. “Please tell me who you are,” pleaded Pierina.

“I am the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of you,” the Rosa Mystica replied. She said the swords that had been in her heart represented a crisis in faith, including “deadly” sin among religious and the loss of candidates for the priesthood.

Two points can be made here. First, the prescience: this was precisely when sex abuse germinated in the seminaries and rectories — “deadly” sin for certain! And the world and the Church were on the cusp of a modernism (as well as the sexual revolution) that would deaden its appeal to young men. I might add that negative prophecies about the Church tend (at least at first) to be rejected.

The roses she now wore represented prayer, sacrifice, and penitence. As at Lourdes, Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, and as at Fatima, she requested new devotions in reparation.

“My Divine Son Jesus has sent me here to bring a new Marian devotion for all male and female institutes, religious orders, and secular priests,” she said during apparitions that continued for the rest of 1947. “I promise those religious institutes, orders, and secular priests who venerate me in this special way my special protection, an increase of spiritual vocations, and great sanctity among the servants of God. I wish the 13th of each month to be celebrated as the day of Mary. On the twelve preceding days, special prayers of preparation should be said.”

Henceforth, the 13th of each month was to be celebrated as the day of Mary, while the other devotion was to include attendance at noontime Mass (or failing that, prayer at home) every year on December 8, feast of the Immaculate Conception. She pledged that whatever was asked during the hour would be granted if it was in accordance with God’s Will. As long as people prayed for sinners, said Mary, Christ would continue to be merciful. She was struggling to prolong the period of Mercy. “My Divine Son, tired of continued offenses, wanted to act according to His Justice, so I placed myself as mediatrix between Him and the human race, especially the consecrated souls.”

The Lord, she had said, had “delayed a great judgment.” But for the Mercy to continue, she needed a flock who knew how to pray and do penance.

“Penance means acceptance of the little daily crosses and also doing one’s work in the spirit of penance. In Fatima I spread the devotion to my Immaculate Heart. In Bonate (a town near Bergamo where she appeared during World War Two), I tried to introduce this devotion into Christian families. Here in Montichiari I wish to be venerated as the Rosa Mystica, as already indicated so often, together with the devotion to my heart which must be specially practiced in religious institutes so that they may obtain more graces through my motherly heart.”

On December 7 Mary materialized with two children whom she identified to Pierina as Francisco and Jacinta, the deceased Fatima seers! “They will help you in your trials and suffering,” said the Blessed Virgin. “They, too, suffered. I wish from you the simplicity and goodness of these two children.”

It was the Godly souls who had turned lukewarm who most offended Christ, said Mary — especially those who betrayed their vocation. “By their great offenses, they brought punishment upon the Church” — as we in our day — “but then the original spirit of their holy founders will blossom again.”

There was no question that the essence of her message was apocalyptical: “Our Lord cannot any longer watch the many grievous sins against purity. He wants to send a flood of punishments. I have interceded that He may be merciful once more. Therefore, I ask for prayer and penance to atone for these sins.”

Diocesan authorities are set to open a renewed phase of development for this devotion, as well as “the study of the whole spiritual and Marian phenomenon that originated in these places over the years, remaining in obedience to the action of the Holy Spirit Who continues to help and console the Church,” says Monsignor Marco Alba, an episcopal delegate. The shrine is one of a number allowed by Pope Francis, following on the heels on Medjugorje, where, despite papal messages that had seemed ominous, official pilgrimages are now allowed by Rome.

–MHB (adapted from The Final Hour)

[Donations: please remember us this season]

From the Mail:

THE VOICE OF ROSA MYSTICA MOTHER OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH FONTANELLE DI MONTICHIARI – (Brescia)

++
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 – YEAR 29 – N. 6 Bimonthly bulletin of the Foundation Rosa Mystica – Fontanelle Montichiari (Bs) – Italy

+
ROSA MYSTICA DIOCESAN SANCTUARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

+++

+As we have hoped in the last issue of our newsletter, with great joy we can finally announce that next Saturday, December 7 at 16:00, on the eve of the great Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Bishop of Brescia, H.E. Monsignor Pierantonio Tremolada will be present at Fontanelle to preside over the solemn Eucharistic concelebration during which the canonical institution of the Rosa Mystica-Mother of the Church Diocesan Shrine will be offi cially proclaimed.

+
a historical passage has deeply marked a ial journey which bese places for over nd even earlier, in church of Montigratefully accept point in maturahas taken place t difficulties ably acthese we are t the on in
clesial body will open a renewed phase of development of the cult
+
This time, however, rather than on the child, we would like to concentrate a little more on His Mother, that is to say, on Mary, to recall once again where her greatness and her power of intercession in our favour are rooted. So many times we have spoken about the importance of her “yes”’, from which everything started. A ‘yes’ to the divine project of the incarnation that God did not want to operate without the free and the loving consent of one of his creatures. As we know, Mary, though very young and inexperienced in life, but generous and free of any prejudice, accepted to become the Mother of the Messiah. By signing, we could say, a kind of “blank bill”, she was engaging herself in an adventure of which she knew its general purpose – i.e. to give the Saviour to the world – but she certainly did not know the details that would accompany this adventure. These are very beautiful details – but often also very painful ones – which we learn from the Gospels and which did not end with the death of Jesus and not even with that of Mary, but which continue even now in, what is called, “the time of the Church”, that is, the whole history that lies between Jesus’ ascension to Heaven and His apocalyptic return. In reality, the sacred books speak little about Mary. However, they show us what is essential to understand her physiognomy and her role and, above all, they show
rience of faith and of prayer raised in Fontanelle as well as the human and spiritual story of Pierina Gilli. Cultivating a constant dialog with the competent organs of the Apostolic See, thus a responsibility for pastoral choices and broader and deeper investigations has been acquired, in view of the good of the thousands of pilgrims who come every year to these places at the feet of the Mother of the Lord, seeking consolation and help.
The two titles that will be attributed to this Diocesan Sanctuary, Rosa Mystica-Mother of the Church, are inseparably united by the tradition of prayer and piety with which the Mother of the Lord is constantly invoked in these places and in many other parts of the world in which this cult is widespread. These titles will continue to show us the tenderness and love with which Mary wants to embrace all humanity, taking care, above all, of her suffering children and of the souls consecrated to the love of her Son Jesus. With hearts fi lled with delight and gratitude we prepare ourselves to live intensely these moments of Grace that will accompany the celebrations of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, particularly felt and participated in Fontanelle, especially during the Hour of Grace, by all the believers and the faithful of Rosa Mystica, so that each step may be lived in obedience to the will of the Lord and to the authority of the Church, while considering the fruits that the Spirit continues to give to His Church.
Mons. Marco Alba Episcopal Delegate
2
Rosa Mystica diocesan Sanctuary Mother of the Churc
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
MARY: the ever-present Mother
Once again we are preparing to celebrate the great feast of Christmas by remembering that the Child whose birth, we will commemorate is unique and very special because He is the Word of God incarnated in the person of Jesus. Said in simpler words, it is God the Father who, out of love, decided to make Himself known through the Son, to be closer to His creatures by sharing Him with all humanity.
her presence – also as co-protagonist – in the main moments of Jesus’ life. Starting with the extraordinary birth, in real precarious conditions, however, accompanied by the light that not only illuminated the environment, but also the minds and the hearts, fi rst those of the shepherds who immediately rushed to the cave, and then those of the three kings who made a long journey just to honour the “king” of whom they intuited that he was very important for the fate of humanity. And later, from that prophecy pronounced at the time of the presentation in the temple, above all from the old Simeon: “He is here for the fall and rising again of many… and also a sword will pierce your soul“. The evangelist Luke shows us the inner struggle that “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart”. It is again Luke telling us later about Jesus as a young boy, found in the temple to discuss with the scribes, who answered his worried parents seemingly abruptly: “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” The meditations evidently had borne fruit in Mary’s heart because at Cana, during the famous wedding, she, then fully convinced of whom her Son was, pushed Him, and I would almost say, forced Him, to perform His fi rst miracle by saying: “Do what He tells you”. Perhaps this extraordinary and courageous Mother
3
had a momentary and an understandable moment of weakness when during public life, faced with the growing hostility towards Jesus, she tried with her relatives to bring Him back home, in an attempt to save Him. But she surrendered immediately to the fi rmness of her Son and then stood, once again strong and available, although profoundly sorrowful, at the foot of the cross. And right there, while undergoing great torments, she reached the fulfi lment of her physical motherhood and it is also at that point that the spiritual one began for all humanity. Especially for the believers who constitute the mystical body of which Jesus is the Head. This is the great passage in the life of Mary – but also in that of each of us – when she became the fi rst witness at Pentecost by receiving the Spirit together with the apostles. But this continues even after her Assumption. The early Christians soon began to understand well her motherly role of intercession with the Son. This is testified by the many graffi ti of invocation and expressions of thanksgiving found during the excavations on the walls of what has been recognized as the room of the Annunciation and by the very early presence in the liturgy of invocations towards the Virgin Mother. Mary then validates these believers’ insights, becoming the protagonist already from the earliest centuries, of an extraordinary phenomenon, i.e. the Marian apparitions. These are events that punctuate the whole Christian history showing her as a heavenly envoy, a messenger of exhortations to the faith, so that her Son to whom she gave birth would not be forgotten and in order that God’s love may be recognized and answered. I believe this should be the spirit with which we too must live this Christmas: an ever more fi lial and profound union with Mary to help us penetrate ever better the great mystery that we are going to experience.
Rosanna Brichetti Messori
■ From Italy – a mother writes to us: my name is CM and I came to Fontanelle di Montichiari, in the afternoon of Saturday, August 10 to tell the Priest about my joy that my twenty year old son in 2012 recovered from a malignant brain tumor and who until today is living serenely. To begin with, I want to clarify that this bad happening has produced in me what I call “the awakening of a sleeper” because this was how I felt, as if awakened from a long sleep and ready to resume my spiritual journey. I even would call it more properly, a new beginning, a rebirth. One thing that leaves amazed those who listen to my story, is the fact that throughout the period of treatment and danger, my prayer to Jesus and Mary, was not to heal my son, but rather to give me the strength to deal with the situation and to support him in his “Calvary”. This is what I asked, entrusting his life in Their hands,
We have received several reports of unexpected and unexplained healing. We kindly ask you to provide us also with medical documentation attesting the illness and its recovery. We have received
4
MONTHLY TIMETABLE OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2019 WE ARE RESUMING THE CELEBRATION OF THE DAILY EUCHARIST.
From Monday to Thursday 15:00 Confessions; 15:30 H. Rosary 16:00 H. Mass Saturday 15:00 Confessions; 15:30 H. Rosary. 16:00 H. Mass, Pre-festive Sunday and feast days 15:00-17:00 Confessions. 15:00 Adoration. 15:30 H. Rosary. 16:00 High Mass Friday, November 1st – Solemnity of All the SAINTS 15:00 Confessions. 15:30 H. Rosary. 16:00 High Mass in suffrage of all our deceased benefactors. Saturday, November 2 Commemoration of the departed faithful Wednesday, November 13 – Marian Day 15:00 Confessions – Eucharistic Adoration 15:30 H. Rosary. 16:00 High Mass Thursday, November 21 Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sunday, November 24 – Solemnity of Christ the King Sunday, December 1st – Beginning of the Advent Time Saturday, December 7 – Vigil of the Immaculate Conception 16:00 High Mass, presided by H.E. Mgr. Tremolada, Bishop of Brescia, for the proclamation of Fontanelle as Diocesan Marian Shrine Sunday, December 8 – Solemnity of Mary Immaculate – Morning: 09:30 beginning of the community prayer. 10:00-12.00 Confessions. 10:30 Procession. 11:00 High Mass – Followed by the Hour of Grace. – Afternoon: 15:00 Confessions – Eucharistic Adoration. 15:30 H. Rosary. 16:00 High Mass. Friday, December 13th – monthly Marian day 15:00 Confessions – Eucharistic Adoration 15:30 H. Rosary. 16:00 High Mass Wednesday, December 25 Solemnity of the HOLY CHRISTMAS 15:00 Confessions – Eucharistic Adoration 15:30 H. Rosary. 16:00 High Mass Thursday, December 26 – Feast of St. Stephen, martyr 15:00 Confessions. 15:30 H. Rosary 16:00 H. Mass Sunday, December 29 – Feast of the Holy Family Wednesday, January 1st, 2020: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of the Lord 15:00 Confessions. 15:30 S. Rosario 16:00 High Mass.
The lack of space does not permit us to publish many other beautiful testimonials co-operating in the recognition of the case; they are kept in the archive. We all feel united in prayer in the maternal heart of Maria Rosa Mystica. Foundation Maria Rosa Mystica – Fontanelle
Information: +39 030 964111 – [email protected]
and abandoning myself completely to the will of the Lord, because only the Lord knew and knows, what is better for all of us. We started a heavy period of medical care, always confi dent in the help of Heaven and in September 2013, the doctors suspended all treatment, with only a quarterly check using MRI. Until today, everything is going well, the MRI results remain negative, and my son has resumed his life with the knowledge that he was accompanied during his “Calvary” by the presence of Jesus and Mary. In my humble way I started to be at the complete disposal of the Lord by testifying His constant presence in our lives with words, but above all, with my way of life.
Thank you for your attention and I offer my availability for further needs or clarifi cations. As I said, I put my life, that of my husband and my son, in the hands of Mary and Jesus and Fontanelle di Montichiari is a very dear place for me. C. M.
With the donations collected on the 13th day of the last few months, we shipped the fi rst three statues that have reached respectively, India, Brazil and Sicily, while other ones are ready to be sent to other countries. We thank the devotees for their cooperation in this initiative.

Responsible director: Rosanna Brichetti Edited by the Foundation Rosa Mystica – Fontanelle Tribunal authorization of Brescia nr. 61/90 of Nov. 11, 1990 Translation by: Sylvia Hetarihon Typography: Tipopennati srl – Montichiari (Bs)