Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-08-15
A BLUE MADONNA.

A remarkable outbreak of religious hallu-
c:nation has been spreading in Italy, near
Placenza. where the mountain village of
Corano has, it is alleged, been the scene ola
miraculous appearance of the Madonna. To
this lonely spot, destitute of railway and
telegraphic communication, thousands are
now focking from all directions. Men as
we'll as women are falling upon the ground
in delirium of supplication. kissing the
stones, weeping, laughing, singing, many
fainting or falling into commissions, and some
lying in u state of ecstatic trance. The par
ticulars have been vague and imperfect; but
the Gampu has now published the following
from a correspondent whom it had sent to
the spot. He writes Just month ago
little girl eleven years old, DesoliDa Lusentl,
grandcbild of the Corano bell ringer, de.
clared that she had seen on the mountain
road Of the Boscone q most beautiful lady
una signora Bella belldl, dressed in blue,
coming out of the wood who said, My
child, I am the Madonna. Christ, my Son,
has allowed me to come once more on earth.
He is weary of the iniquity of man, ard I
am weary of their incredulity. | will stay
in this place for 4 while among you, and you
shall come ard adore me hero and rebuild
She then disappeared but few hours after
ward all Corano knew what the girl had
seen.
"Some were ncreduloua. but the greater
number did not for D moment discuss the
veracity OF the girls statement. Desoiina
was hailed as the favo.ite child of the Ma
donna, and the whole population went out
in procession TO the spot at The entrance OF
the wood. From that moment there com.
menced literal epidemic Of ecstasies and
visions While l write more than thirty
little girls declare that they have seen and
are in direct communication with the Ma
donna. To these are added men and wom-
en-, young and old, married and single. l
had scarcely put my foot outside the walls
of Placenza before l found that nothing was
spoken of by the people but tho Madonna
of Corano. | can only compare the frenzy
Of enthusiasm with which all rush to Corano
to that Of the Crusaders when about to be-
hold Jerusalem fer the first time. For miles
round this village the country has the APP
pearauce of the Tuscan A1aremms at the
time Of The unfortunate prophet of Arcidos
so, David LaZzarett. Hanging from the
branches of the trees and on the hedges on
all sides ar. offerings presented by the peas
auls to the miraculous shrine, which at pre-
sent consists Of q basket, draped with three
or four cloths, on the roadside, to the right,
as you proceed toward Corano.
Hundreds and hundreds of persons are
seen aboring up the steep ascent, under the
burning rays Of the July sun. Some girls
scramble up the bare rocks, suppsicating
the Virgin with loud cries TO appear, until
they faint with fatigue. Recovering their
senses, they say they hear The voice of the
Madonna, while all present ia'l on the
ground, kissing the earth with convulsve
sobs and floods Of tears. A profound i'm
preston is produced. TO aggrava;e mstters,
women known TO be hysterical sing laugh
and cry, causing others to initiate them.
While | write this thousands arc throngipg
hither from the valleys of the old duchess
from Piedmont, from I4ignria, from LON
hardy The number is estimated at IL 600
The authorities are now interfering, and it
is high time Several doctors who have
visited the place declare that the spread Of
this halIucination is likely to assume very
alarming proportions"