Our Lady of Good Counsel

In 1467, in Genazzano, a miraculous image of Our Lady and the Christ Child appeared, suspended on thin plaster amid heavenly music. The wonder followed the faithful trust of a widow, Petruccia, who gave all she had to restore the church. Her perseverance drew abundant blessings, transforming doubt into devotion and scarcity into overflowing provision.

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On April 25th, 1467, restorations were underway in the church of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzo, Italy. As the workers removed a statue from one of the walls, they began to hear heavenly music. Before their eyes, on the very part of the wall where they had removed the statue, an image of Our Lady embracing the Christ Child materialized—suspended right in front of the wall, on a piece of very thin plaster. It is said that you could thread a string around the image without touching the wall. There it hangs to this day, more than 500 years later. Many popes have venerated this miraculous image. In 1727, Pope Benedict XIII granted the clergy of Genazzano a feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel on April 25th; elsewhere the feast is kept a day later, on April 26th, so as not to conflict with that of St. Mark the Evangelist.

This miracle was not totally random. It was the answer to the prayer of a faithful widow, Petruccia, in the town of Genazzo. She loved the church of Our Lady of Good Counsel and poured her savings into restoring it. Just before the image appeared, she had run out of funds. She did not despair, however, but remained steadfast in her faith that Our Lady would provide. After the image appeared, the church became a major pilgrimage site and donations flooded in, more than paying for all the restorations.

Practical Lessons

Do Not Despair: Like Petruccia, trust in the Lord’s goodness. Know that He always provides, often in abundance.
Pray for Counsel from the Blessed Mother: The image of Our Lady of Good Counsel is said to depict her holding Jesus after the presentation in the temple, as she pondered all that Simeon foretold in her heart. We must ask for her motherly counsel to follow God’s Will as steadfastly as she did.

Prayer

Most Glorious Virgin, chosen by the Eternal Counsel to be the Mother of the Eternal Word made flesh, thou who art the treasurer of Divine graces and the advocate of sinners, I, thy most unworthy servant, have recourse to thee; be thou pleased to be my guide and counselor in this vale of tears. Amen.

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