It was January 1, 1708 when, in the stable of the Centorbi farmhouse, under the hooves of the animals, the Sacred Icon (24 x 38 cm) was found by divine inspiration: a fresco depicting Jesus Crucified with Saint Bridget in adoration.
Every year, hundreds of pilgrims, devotees, families, the sick, the elderly, and young people flock to the Sanctuary, located in a wide valley 4.5 km from Caltagirone.
The five Fridays following the solemnity of the Assumption (August 15) have now become a tradition.
Pilgrims descend on foot as early as 3:30 in the morning and, amidst songs in Sicilian, prayers, and moments of meditation, prepare for their encounter with the Crucified Jesus of Help.
The culmination of the Sanctuary’s celebration is reached on the third Sunday of September, close to the liturgical feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September).
It was January 1, 1708 when, by divine inspiration, the Sacred Icon (24×38) was found in the stable of the Centorbi farm, under the feet of the animals. It was a fresco of Jesus Crucified with Saint Bridget in Adoration.
Hundreds of pilgrims, devotees, families, the sick, the elderly, and young people descend every year to the Sanctuary, in this large valley 4.5 km from Caltagirone.
The 5 Fridays after the solemnity of the Assumption on August 15th are traditional.
The pilgrims descend on foot starting at 3:30 in the morning and, amidst songs in Sicilian, prayers and meditation, prepare for the encounter with the Crucified Jesus of Help.
The climax of the Sanctuary Feast is the third Sunday of September, always close to the liturgical Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (14 September).
CENNI STORICI
La storia del nostro Santuario è intimamente legata a un umile figlio della terra: ad Antonio Centorbi, soprannominato “U CINNIRARU”.
Egli naque a Caltagirone da Lorenzo e Margherita Centorbi (Giurgintano).
Venne battezzato nella Parrocchia di S. Giorgio il 31 Dicembre del 1650 e gli fu dato il nome di Silvestro Antonio.
Nell’anno 1707, all’approssimarsi delle Feste natalizie, andò in Città per ricevere i santi Sacramenti e santificare cristianamente la Festa.
Ed ecco il primo fatto straordinario.
La stessa sera infatti, messosi a letto, vide in sogno Santa Brigida in Ginocchio, innanzi al SS. Crocifisso che gli diceva di andare a dissotterrare la sua immagine rimasta sotto la stalla.
La mattina, alzatosi di buon’ora, andò lesto a confidare il suo sogno al Confessore Padre Antonio Rizzari, Domenicano, il quale prudentemente gli disse di non dare ad esso alcun peso.
Essendosi però ripetuto il sogno, il Sacerdote nella sua saggezza, consiglio, il suo penitente di raccontare la cosa a Padre Bartolomeo Romano e Padre Antonio Scibilia, Gesuiti.
Anch’essi gli consigliarono di attendere, a conferma della volontà divina, qualche segno straordinario.
Il Segno non tardò.
The history of our Sanctuary is intimately linked to a humble son of the earth: Antonio Centorbi, nicknamed “U CINNIRARU.”
He was born in Caltagirone to Lorenzo and Margherita Centorbi (Giurgintano).
He was baptized in the Parish of San Giorgio on December 31, 1650, and given the name Silvestro Antonio.
In 1707, as the Christmas holidays approached, he went to the city to receive the Holy Sacraments and sanctify the Feast in a Christian manner.
And here is the first extraordinary event.
That same evening, in fact, as he lay in bed, he dreamed of Saint Bridget kneeling before the Holy Crucifix, who told him to dig up her image, which had remained beneath the stable.
Rising early in the morning, he quickly confided his dream to his Confessor, Father Antonio Rizzari, a Dominican, who prudently advised him not to give it any weight.
However, when the dream repeated itself, the priest, in his wisdom, advised his penitent to tell the matter to Father Bartolomeo Romano and Father Antonio Scibilia, Jesuits.
They also advised him to await some extraordinary sign to confirm God’s will.
The Sign did not delay.