A recent Marian apparition in Sicily (II)

On May 4, 1986, Rosario Toscano, born in 1971, was sick and in bed at home in Catania, Sicily, when he saw a great light and heard a feminine voice say to him: "You've suffered enough... That's enough now. That's enough now."

On March 1, 1987, the Virgin Mary communicated secrets to him: two were personal and ten concerned the future of the world. Like the Fatima messages, they establish a close correlation between the conversion of hearts and peace between men: "[the Lord] expects justice and righteousness from his people, not bloodshed and the cries of the oppressed."

Shortly afterwards, Mary asked for a chapel to be built in honor of her "Immaculate Heart, Queen of Peace". 

On May 11, 1990, an unusual phenomenon was observed by several hundred witnesses: a dazzling white, cross-shaped cloud, "lit from within", appeared at the site of the apparitions, at the precise time when Mary appeared to Rosario. This unusual cloud was witnessed by hundreds of people. Archbishop Bommarito of Catania said: "I must admit that a cloud in the sky over Belpasso took on an inexplicable shape. But I don't want to express an opinion that could pass for an official statement. I recognize the singularity of the coincidence between the moment when the cross appeared and the hour when Our Lady appeared to the young Toscano." 

On March 25, 1999, at the time of the war in Kosovo, Rosario had his 33rd apparition: he miraculously found himself on top of a mountain, looking down on the world. Our Lady appeared to him, showing him her Immaculate Heart, the Rosary and an olive branch. She said to him: "The time has come to ask the Holy Father to promote, with the help of all the bishops, the consecration of families to my Immaculate Heart, and through it, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and thus of parishes and all the dioceses of the world." 

Then, pointing to the olive branch: "Here is the sign of reconciliation and unity: it is for all men who, reconciled with the Father through the merits of Jesus Christ, will rediscover the peace of God in the bond of Love"; then Mary pointed to her Heart and said: "Here is the sign of self-giving to God: it is for all men, united in the Eucharistic sacrifice to the sufferings of Christ."

Archbishop Bommarito consecrated the chapel and elevated it to the rank of diocesan Marian shrine, with a jubilee indulgence for its pilgrims. "There are countless statements of spontaneous conversions and other graces received, which are becoming more and more frequent, and whose authenticity cannot be doubted." he explained.

Patrick Sbalchiero

Adapted from https://1000raisonsdecroire.mariedenazareth.com