In the heart of the enchanting hills of the Oltrepò Pavese, amidst lush woods and cultivated fields dotting the Staffora valley, lies a place of great spirituality and devotion: the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Bocco. This sanctuary, located in the small village of Santa Margherita di Staffora, has been a symbol of faith and a reference point for pilgrims and devotees for over seventy years
A history of apparitions and devotion
The history of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Bocco began back in 1947, when a seven-year-old girl named Angela Volpini, grazing her cows in the green pastures at Bocco, had an encounter that would change her life and the life of the surrounding community forever. While picking bunches of flowers, Angela felt someone lift her under her arms. Turning around, she was confronted by the face of a beautiful, unknown woman, who told her the words that would become legendary: "I have come to teach you the way to happiness on earth".
This encounter marked the beginning of an extraordinary series of apparitions of Our Lady, which Angela would claim to have had every 4th of the month until June 1956. The news quickly spread throughout the country and beyond, attracting crowds of pilgrims eager to witness the little visionary‘s ecstasies. The shrine soon became a place of pilgrimage, with up to 300,000 people gathering on a single day to seek comfort, healing and hope.
The verification of the apparitions
The huge influx of pilgrims and the notoriety of the apparitions led the ecclesiastical and civil authorities to investigate Angela‘s experience. The girl was subjected to a series of tests and interrogations to establish the veracity of her visions. After a careful investigation by a commission of theologians and psychiatrists, a verdict was issued stating that there was no evidence to declare the event as supernatural, nor to consider it a deception. Angela was found to be of sound mind and in good faith.
The Shrine and its legacy
Despite the absence of an official declaration by the Catholic Church on the apparitions, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bocco continues to be a place of deep spirituality and devotion for the faithful. At the site of the apparitions, the community of Santa Margherita di Staffora erected a memorial chapel, which later became the basis for the construction of the shrine itself. Today, the shrine welcomes visitors from all over the world, offering a place for prayer, reflection and inner peace.
Every year, on 2 June, the community celebrates the anniversary of the first apparition with a solemn procession and a special mass. The shrine is open during the summer and on Sundays during the other seasons, welcoming all those who wish to find comfort and hope in its sacred walls.
Conclusions
The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Bocco is much more than a place of worship. It is a symbol of faith, hope and community that has stood the test of time. The apparitions of Angela Volpini and the construction of the sanctuary have left an indelible mark on the history of Santa Margherita di Staffora and beyond. Whether you are a pilgrim in search of spirituality or simply a curious visitor, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Bocco will welcome you with open arms, offering a refuge of peace and serenity in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese.
