Novena and Solemnity of the Apparition — Sanctuary of Caravaggio

The Marian Heart of the Bassa Bergamasca

The Sanctuary of Caravaggio, dedicated to Saint Mary of the Font, is one of the main Marian devotion sites in Northern Italy. It stands in the municipality of Caravaggio, in the province of Bergamo, at the spot where — according to tradition — on May 26th, 1432, the Virgin appeared to the young peasant girl Giannetta de' Vacchi, causing the spring of the Sacred Font to gush forth.

The Novena

The Novena prepares for the great feast with nine days of celebrations, from May 17th to 25th. Weekday masses are held from the early morning hours, while every afternoon, at 5:00 PM — the exact hour of the Apparition — the Rosary and the Supplication are recited. A crescendo of prayer that draws pilgrims and devotees.

The Solemnity of May 26th

The day of the Solemnity, May 26th, is the culmination. In the morning, the Pontifical Mass, with apostolic blessing and plenary indulgence; in the afternoon, the Memory of the Apparition with silent prayer, the sprinkling of the faithful with water from the Sacred Font, and the singing of Marian hymns; in the evening, the moving Torchlight Rosary, a procession with torches under the sanctuary's porticoes. The celebrations are broadcast live streaming and on the CR1 channel.

A Pilgrimage of Regional Significance

With its almost six-century-long history, the Solemnity of the Apparition draws thousands of pilgrims every year, confirming the Sanctuary of Caravaggio as one of the most visited Marian destinations in Lombardy. For the town of Caravaggio, it is the most important religious event of the year, capable of uniting devotion, tradition, and local identity.