The Shrine of Our Lady of Healing overlooks three countries

At the foot of the Alps, the tiny region of Valle d’Aosta is home to 11 mountain shrines and hermitages. These small chapels are a testament to centuries’ old Catholic practices based upon the local folklore. Penitent souls have made processions to these isolated locations for generations to give thanks for their prayers being answered. The interiors of these shrines are covered with votive offerings left by the faithful, conveying just how many cures and miracles have been performed.

At the foot of Monte Bianco, in the commune of Courmayeur, is the dramatically situated Shrine of Our Lady of Healing. This location was once the site of a small Christian oratory before becoming a hermitage and shrine in the 18th Century. Although the hermits are long gone, pilgrims continue to visit the place for its reputation as a healing shrine. It had been a long tradition to organize pilgrimages and reach it on foot from the Val Ferret.

In 2011, a family from the village of Praz-de-Fort and a priest friend felt that the tradition deserved to be renewed. So they invited a few friends the following year and from seven pilgrims, the group grew to fifteen in 2012.

Since then, whether on foot or by bus, the pilgrimage has continued every year, on the Saturday following the Feast of the Assumption (August 15th). In 2013, there were about 30 pilgrims, and that number jumped to 150 the next year. This success pushed the young organizers to form an association to organize and increase awareness about the pilgrimage. The group is motivated by the desire to bear witness to their faith and the joy it brings them, by making this pilgrimage an annual event open to everyone, Christians and non-Christians.

In 2019, the organizing committed planned the installation of a cross on top of Ferret Pass (Col Ferret, elevation of 2540 m.), as an homage to Jesus who gave His life for us and who since then has walked with us every day to show us the way of salvation. All the hikers who pass next to the cross will now have a chance to leave their personal concerns with Jesus before continuing. This cross will also be the link between the two valleys and the three countries (France, Italy and Switzerland) that it overlooks.

Adapted from: Life in Italy

And: Pele