Overview

What happens when the Church's most sacred treasures are threatened by the shadows of revolution and ruin? For centuries, a single, miraculous image has been the bedrock of a community's faith: the Madonna del Perpetuo Soccorso-Our Lady of Perpetual Help. But when the armies of the Enlightenment swept across Italy, suppressing monasteries and leveling ancient churches, this holy icon vanished. The venerable Sanctuary of San Matteo was reduced to rubble, and the glorious image was forced into a clandestine existence, guarded in secret for nearly seventy years. This is not just history; this is the true, thrilling story of faith fighting for its very survival against the darkest tide of persecution. A Light in the Dark Ages resurrects this incredible saga, guiding you through the back alleys of 18th-century Rome where cloistered priests risked everything to preserve the sacred. Discover the intricate, faith-filled detail of the Byzantine Icon-a roadmap to salvation featuring the instruments of Christ's Passion and the protective gaze of His Mother. This is the definitive, fact-filled chronicle that connects the prophecy of the merchant's daughter to the modern, global devotion, revealing the miraculous circumstances that led Pope Pius IX to issue his famous decree: ""Make Her Known!"" You will trace the very foundations of the modern Sanctuary of the Madonna del Perpetuo Soccorso, built upon the ruins of its predecessor, establishing the modern beacon of hope that stands today. From the political maneuvering of cardinals to the quiet, persevering loyalty of a few families, this book illuminates the truth that God's grace-and the Mother's help-is indeed perpetual, surviving every attempt to extinguish it. This is the story of Catholic heritage preserved, a testament to the power of unwavering prayer that triumphs over the tribulations of time. This volume in the Pilgrimage to the Sacred: Italy's Holy Shrines series is an essential resource for the devoted Catholic heart. It offers not only profound historical understanding but a deep spiritual enrichment, allowing you to walk the hallowed grounds of Rome without leaving your home. It's a call to reflect on the unwavering resilience of the Church and the unfailing intercession of the Blessed Virgin. Are you ready to witness the triumph of sacred resilience over the chaos of the secular world?

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