There are numerous stories that distinguish the heart of Sicily, representing its pure essence.
A clear example is theapparition of the Madonna to four children of Cefalà Diana. Here's what you need to know about an event that can be considered mythical of its kind.
What happened on the occasion of the apparition of the Madonna in Cefalà Diana
Il 26 May 1967, the town of Cefalà Diana was the epicenter of a truly unique event. In fact, in the town located about thirty kilometers from the capital Palermo, four children they were in their own way protagonists of a situation that happens very rarely. Francesco, Roberto and two children named Antonino were grappling with the comparsa sudden of the Madonna.
They were on the hill headquarters of the Castle of Cefalà Diana and they were playing in the ruins of the fortress that belonged to the princes of Carini. While they were enjoying the game of the Indians, Roberto was shaken by a very powerful sound, running away due to fear. The other three children hadn't noticed anything in terms of sound, but to them the Virgin Mary appeared on the window of the ancient tower. And they were enveloped in total emotion.
The stories of the apparition of the Madonna in Cefalà Diana
Who could be present at theapparition of the Madonna Cefalà Diana certainly had a lot to tell. One child said he cried when he saw Our Lady, that she looked beautiful with her hands folded in prayer, and said nothing about her. At the same time, various books have narrated that situation in the middle of spring, by authors of the caliber of Barbaria, Pasanisi and La Bua. According to various testimonies, the Virgin Mary of Sorrows overwhelmed the four children with a dazzling light.
The older Antonino remained motionless in front of the vision, but in the end he decided to run away with the other three children and head towards the rectory. They reported the incident to the local catechist, who scolded them because she believed they were joking. The rumors spread rapidly in the town, until they reached the nearby town of Villafrati. The reporters of this locality headed towards Cefalà Diana and the event had a national sounding board.
The apparition of the Madonna in Cefalà Diana also to a journalist
Three days later, the journalist of black news John Daniel had in turn saw the Madonna together with her photographer. She had a black coat and he was convinced of what she had seen, despite previous skepticism. Our Lady of Sorrows appeared to him at any moment with her sweet face and he shivered. To other people, he could not deny the out-of-the-ordinary vision. Then, the next day, he checked himself into the hospital believing he had psychiatric problems.
Apparition of Madonna Cefalà Diana, an event that caused a sensation
With a certain speed, the apparition of Madonna Cefalà Diana caused a stir. Journalists hastened to launch their respective news agencies, with publications by the Giornale di Sicilia, L'Ora and Il Messaggero. The case reached as far as France and Germany and many people from all over the world headed towards Cefalà Diana. In the meantime, the local parish priest Mons. Castrenze continued to focus on confidentiality, in order to avoid economic and social speculation.
The miracles following the apparition of the Madonna in Cefalà Diana
After the appearance of Madonna in Cefalà Diana, several would have occurred Miracles. Many people obtained graces, such as the healing of a child from stomach cancer now in a terminal state. Her mother went to the local hospital chapel to ask for a miracle and realized a hand resting on her shoulder and her voice urging her to take back her son. Back in the hospital, she saw the baby standing: the tumor was gone.
In the following months, the miracles and apparitions continued. Then, as often happens, little by little the story lost its resonance. It was built on Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, which required about two years of work due to bureaucratic reasons.
Those who live in Cefalà Diana continue to tell an extraordinary story and remember it with great affection.
© Image by David Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
