I WONDER why 12,000 young people gather together each year in a tiny Italian village to offer roses to Our Lady? I am told that it is because the events said to have been taking place in this village have attracted and continue to attract an everincreasing number of young people year after year.
The village of San Damiano is situated within the confines of the Emilia and Lombardy provinces, 60 miles south of Milan.
The events are said to have begun in 1961 when Rosa Quattrini, a woman of sound and simple intelligence, and mother of three children, was given to understand that the Virgin Mary wished a sanctuary to be built there, a special place of prayer and reconciliation, an international centre of charitable works. The foundations for these works have well and truly begun, and eventually will comprise a hospital, medical research centre, seminary, orphanage, convalescent homes, rehabilitation centre and spiritual retreat centre. In May of each year San Damiano experiences the joy of the presence of young people who come from all five continents to unite in prayer and fraternal charity to consecrate their countries to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Every year a British group of all ages takes part in the
Our Lady of San Damiano.
international gathering at San Damiano. This year's gathering will take place on the feast of Pentecost. The British group, accompanied by a priest, will leave from London on Thursday May 15 with an option of a long weekend in San Damiano, returning on Monday May 19, or a 10-day trip which will include visits to San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano and Loreto.
Further details, The Society of Madonna Delle Rose, 1 de Montfort Grove, Hungerford,. Berkshire.