Abruzzo Earthquake 'Miracle': In Trauma, a Sign of Hope

The appearance of the Madonna and Child is a sign of hope. Nothing short of a miracle.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - On the Monday of Holy Week the Abruzzo region of Central Italy was hit by its most devastating earthquake in 30 years, measuring a magnitude of 6.3 and claiming almost 300 lives. Amidst the wreckage, however, there emerged a sign of hope.

It happened in Rocca di Cambio, the highest mountain village in the Gran Sasso Mountains of Abruzzo. There, in the church of San Pietro alla Collegiata, a fresco of the Virgin Mother and infant Jesus was discovered.

The fresco appeared when the earthquake shook the church and the altar came away from wall. Experts believe the artwork is from the 11th Century at the time the church was built.

Antonio Pace, the mayor of Rocca di Cambio, told the London times, "When we went in to check the damage we saw that the altar had moved, and behind the fallen plaster was the fresco. There was tremendous excitement, as you can imagine."

"This is wonderful news at a time of so much destruction and sorrow," Pace went on to say. "The appearance of the Madonna and Child is a sign of hope. Nothing short of a miracle."

One person, in hearing news of the fresco, said, "This is the kind of sign we need in the whole Catholic Church today. Huge tremors are shaking the Church, such as the Notre Dame scandal, the momentum of the pro-abortion administration, the foothold of same-sex marriage, and the overall assaults on the Catholic faith. How we need to know God is with us."

Those sentiments have been also expressed by others, who see the appearance in Abruzza as a reminder to all of us that, no matter the rubble and devastation of the culture of death, the signs of God's presence are ever with us.

The San Pietro alla Collegiata Church experienced severe damage in the earthquake. The façade, which had recently been restored, is cracked. Firemen are also trying to save the 13th Century tower, with the help of a crane, by encircling it with steel cables.

This is not the first time such an appearance has occurred in this mountain village. In 1822, another painting of the Virgin Mary, the "Madonna del Rosario," appeared after a previous tremor. The painting had been restored in 2006 and experts will be examining it again to assess any damage from the recent quake.

Rocca di Cambio has a population of 416, half of whom only have second residences there which are used during the ski season. The remaining residents are temporarily being housed in tents.

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Life is now coming out of death as the tiny village begins again. Their Easter is more real and more literal than it has been for many years. They are eager to rebuild not only their town but their church, that the Virgin and Infant fresco will have a suitable dwelling place for many years to come.

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