The Miraculous Medal and the church of St. Andrea delle Fratte in Rome

Miraculous Medal, church of St. Andrea delle Fratte Rome

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The church of St. Andrea delle Fratte in Rome

The information gathered for this page arises from the pre-eminent aim of the site you are visiting, but at the same time completes it because it contributes to the image of the people who are offering it. In fact all things achieved by mankind, directly or indirectly, represent their inmost. That is, one of the aspects of our inmost is to have the joy of sharing in the energy of this church with those fortunate enough (but better still, by divine intervention) to have the possibility to glance at this page. In this century old church unexplainable episodes occured! Tied to the image of our Divine Mother and her Miraculous Medal (which we gladly mail free of charge any where in the world to who ever requests it). Whether we call them miracles or something else, little changes. The fact is they occur. Unsolvable cases have been resolved! Desperate wishes have been fulfilled. Zealous and discrete witnesses, amongst others, are the humble Fathers Minimi of St. Francesco di Paola that have at heart and manage this blessed place and to whom goes our thanks and gratitude for the well merited work.

Historical notes on St. Andrea delle Fratte church

The parish Basilica of St. Andrea delle Fratte, renowned religiously, artistically and historically, originates around 1000 AD. The primitive church, named At. Andrea "infra hortos in Pincis" later translated to "delle fratte" or of the shrubs, is referred to in documents dating back as far as the 12th century. It was surrounded by the pontiff Sisto V to the Fathers Minimi of St. Francesco di Paola so that they could officially take over the running of the parish. Since the church building was run down, it was decided to totally refurbish it. The refurbishment works, began in 1604 projected by Gaspare Guerra (priest of the new church), were continued by the Borromini between 1653 and 1655 and completed by Mattia dè Rossi in 1691. Final touches and decorations were carried out in the seven hundreds by Filippo Barigioni, Luigi Vanvitelli and other noted artists. Amongst other works of art the Basilica houses 2 splendid angels carved in marble by Bernini. However, it took more than 2 centuries to complete all renovations. The renovations designed by Gasparre Guerra (preist of the new church) began in 1604, were continued by Borromini between 1653 and 1655, and completed by Mattia de' Rossi in 1961. The final details and decorations were completed in the 700's by Filippo Bariglioni, Luigi Vanvitelli and other renown artists. Amongst other operas of art the Basilica boasts two spectacular angels carved in marble of the Bernini. It took however, more than two centuries for the final completion. The attached convent of Padri Minimi, also designed by Gasparre Guerra, was built at the same time as the new church and was completed in 1731. It is the headquarters of religious followers and has been the orders home for centuries.

Personal considerations/thoughts

Those who enter the church of St. Andrea delle Fratte immediately notice a "force" which directs them towards, amongst the many altars, the one where on the 20th of January 1842 the Madonna appeared before Alfonso Ratisbonne It is as though a "quid" attracts you towards this privileged point, which is still saturated with Sacred Energy! Those who kneel before this altar open their hearts to the Divine Mother in a natural way. It is a voice that comes fom within, without any real effort, but genuinely felt. It is a profound and meaningful experience that shakes the soul leaving anunforgettable mark, which goes beyond religious differences. A powerful "messenger" of this Miraculous Energy is the Sacred Medallion.

Madre Divina

Brief history of the Miraculous Medal

Saint Caterina Labouré, non belonging to the daughters of the charity of S. Vincenzo de' Paoli, was the source utilized by the Divine Madonna to pass on her gift of the Miraculous Medal. During the night of July 18 and July 19 in 1830, the chapel of her convent in Paris, witnessed the apparition of the Madonna appeared before her, notifying her of an important mission awaiting her. The 27 November 1830 saw 2 prodigious raffigurations corresponding to the 2 faces of the medallion and heard a voice which told her to coin a medallion according to the model she had seen and after blessing it those who believed would wear it around there necks repeating the brief prayer "O Maria concepita senza peccato, prega per noi che ricorriamo a Te" would receive grace! The coining of the medallion did not come about without difficulty: the Archbishop of Paris authorized it in 1832 in the next decade, in France only, over one hundred thousand copies were minted. A wealth of spiritual and material grace flooded believers, especially in curing those suffering from cholera. It was the people themselves that named the new medallion the Miraculous Medallion. It is not a medallion like others... In fact this medallion:

It is not the work of an artist who has created such a harmonious and beautiful symbolization.

It is not the work of an experienced theologian who was capably summarized with symbols, in such a small space, the divine beauties of the Saint Mother.

It is not the work of a saint who wanted to illustrate love, goodness and divine power. No! The other medallions, all significative for that which they represent, are the expression of mans' love for Divinity. Whereas, the Miraculous Medallion is the Divine Mothers' expression of the love felt for mankind!

The Miraculous Medallion is tied to the apparition of the Madonna to Alfonso Ratisbonne which occurred in this church on January 20 1842. She appeared exactly as depicted on the medallion, the only difference being her right hand was not open, but suggesting to him to kneel down. Ratisbonne was wearing the Medallion, even if only for fun and to codescend a friend who gave it to him in great faith, hoping to be converted by the Virgin, which miraculously occurred with the apparition. From then on, numerous "exceptional" occurrences have come about due to the faith instilled by this and in this Medallion and the church of St. Andrea delle Fratte became a place of great devotion and faith. Faced with so much "general magnificence", we have the unmerited privilege of enjoying it, we feel the need to share it by sending , free of charge, the Miraculous Medal in the hope that along with faith it can bless you with its special power.

Send us an e-mail with your mailing address, and we will gladly send you this small but precious gift.

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