Parish Festival Our Lady of Freedom Celebrated the first Sunday in August

Sunday, August 1st 2010 at 3:00pm – High Mass, followed by: procession and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Please join us for this celebration and invite your families and friends to express the love and devotion to our Blessed Virgin Mary. This will be followed by social festivities on parish grounds which include: fun and games for children, musical entertainment, dancing, folk dancers, great food, Italian gelato, refreshments and more. P.S. bring your own lawn chair(s).

HISTORICAL NOTES:

The devotion of “Our Lady of Freedom” began in Pratola and in the Peligna valley (central Italy) in the early 1500’s.

The painted image of the Blessed Virgin which even today, is venerated in the magnificent sanctuary of the “Madonna Della Libera”, was discovered by a peasant in the ruins of an abandoned little chapel in the rural surrounding of Pratola Peligna. This chapel was destroyed by a violent earthquake in the year 1456.

At the time of the discovery, the Peligna valley was infested by a terrible plague, and the people had deserted the towns and villages to seek refuge in the surrounding farmland.

According to the legend passed down to us: There was a man named “Fortunato”, who had contracted the fatal disease. He left his family and found refuge in the ruins of a small chapel in the vicinity of a tiny village named “Torre”. Fortunato was a very religious man, and he felt that if he was going to die, his death should come about within a sacred place.

When he entered the ruined chapel he had no strength left so he fell asleep. During his sleep he dreamed of a Beautiful Lady who said to him: “I am your Celestial Mother! I am the Lady of Freedom! I am here to save you all from the terrible plague! Now wake up my faithful believer! Go! Go back to your home, to your family and your friends. Go without fear, the plague is gone”.

Fortunato already healed, opened his eyes, a few feet away under some stucco debris, he spotted an eye
which was staring at him. Using all the strength he had left, he removed the debris and some stones and when the clearing was done, he saw the same Beautiful Lady that appeared to him in the dream. After he reached his home in Pratola, he realized that he witnessed a miracle; that the plague had ended by the divine intervention of the Madonna.

As soon as Fortunato informed the “Pratolani” about the vision and the discovery, they united and went to the little chapel to see the image of the beautiful Madonna, and thank her through prayers, for saving their lives from the destructive plague. Then they decided to transport to Pratola the section of the collapsed wall, where her image was present. Then they located the imaged of the Madonna into an already existing church.

In 1540 by the will of the people of Pratola, the first chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Freedom was erected, and later in the year 1587 the chapel was replaced by a large church.

But even this large church was not enough to accommodate the many thousands of pilgrims coming from all parts of central Italy to venerate the miraculous “Madonna Della Libera”. So again three centuries later, the people of Pratola and the Peligna valley, decided to build a magnificent sanctuary. Together they worked without remuneration from 1851, until the day of the opening ceremony in the year 1865 (14 years later).

MORE CURRENTLY

· In 1967 the Statue of the Madonna Della Libera (Our Lady of Freedom) arrived in Canada from Italy. Shortly thereafter at Santa Maria Goretti Church, the statue was blessed by Monsignor Flannery and the pastor of the church. After the blessing and religious celebration there was a social gathering.

· In July of 1968 the Statue was brought to St. Mary’s church then called Nostra Signora del Buon Consiglio. On Sunday, August 4th, 1968 was the first out door procession with the Statue of the Madonna Della Libera (Our Lady of Freedom). There as a high mass in Latin celebrated at St. Mary’s Church with 4 priests, 2 monsignors and the bishop.

· The festival has always been celebrated on the first Sunday of August, and is know now as the
“St. Mary’s Annual Parish Festival in Honour of Our Lady of Freedom”. It is a grand event for the church and wonderful celebration for everyone to participate in. All the funds raised during the festival are for the church and are used for church improvements

TODAY

Today the festival which is always celebrated on the first Sunday in August, has grown larger and stronger with each passing year. Many come from near and far to pray and celebrate together their devotion towards Our Lady of Freedom (Madonna Della Libera). It is a time to show our devotion and gather together and pray then followed by a procession. Afterwards there is plenty food and refreshments at moderate prices, games for the children, entertainment, folk dancers and fun for everyone. The year 2009 marks the 42nd Anniversary of this festival in London. Everyone is welcome!

PAST PRESIDENTS

Pelino Bove 1968 – 75

Tino Bove 1976 – 83

Aldo Carducci 1984 – 85

Lina Guglielmi 1986

Paolina DeLuca 1987

Bettina DeSumma 1988

Pasquale Palombo 1989

Rosina Tancredi 1990

Armando Giorgini 1991 – 94

Leo Guglielmi 1995

Maria Scarpelli 1996 – 2009