page_title: Madonna di Pietraquaria
section_title: Miracles
hierarchical_section_title: Madonna di Pietraquaria / History / Miracles
caption_attribution_description: Italiano: Copia dell'atto di notorietà per la incoronazione della Madonna di Pietraquaria rogato nel 1838
context_page_description: Madonna di Pietraquaria is one of the titles by which the Holy Virgin Mary is venerated as the Patroness of the city of Avezzano, in Abruzzo, Italy. On 1 January 1978, Maria Santissima di Pietraquaria was proclaimed the patroness saint of the city of Avezzano. The Virgin Mary is celebrated with events and religious rites between 25 and 27 April.
  Pope Gregory XVI granted a canonical coronation towards the venerated image on 16 September 1838.
context_section_description: The Madonna di Pietraquaria is traditionally credited with numerous miracles, owing to which the image was solemnly crowned by the Vatican Chapter in 1838:
  The liberation from drought on 27 April 1779 after a penitence procession, therefore the Madonna's annual feast was established on that day (previously the Madonna di Pietraquaria was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of May). In that year the population of Avezzano had serious difficulties because of a long drought which caused several problems and a shortage of food. The inhabitants of the town incessantly prayed the Madonna, whom on 27 April they took in procession from the sanctuary dedicated to her on Mount Salviano to the town centre. When the procession entered Naples Street a miraculous storm occurred that broke dryness, allowing the population to look after crops again with the necessary vigour. In the same year, thanks to the offerings and donations from Avezzano citizens the sacred building was enlarged and the veneration grew with it.
  The liberation from the French invasion in the early 19th century.
  The liberation from the sack of Avezzano by the same French to eliminate the brigands who had occupied it in the early 19th century.
  The cessation of flood waters in 1836.
  The liberation from cholera in 1837.
  On 27 April 1944, Anglo-American Flying Fortresses took off to raze to the ground Avezzano, then an important railway junction. That day, a thick fog covered the city and therefore the Allied forces headed towards another place.
  Besides, at the Sanctuary of Pietraquaria, visitors can admire about one hundred ex votos, exposed in the Confraternity's dedicated rooms and donated by those who in the past believed that they had received blessings from the Virgin Mary of Pietraquaria.
caption: Copy of a page from the affidavit drawn up in 1838
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