Shrine of our Lady of Divine Love

Most of the churches and basilicas here in Rome are historical sites being built many years ago. I found a "modern church" - Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love just outside the city of Rome. The history of the Shrine dates back to the XIII century. In the Roman countryside where the present shrine is situated, there was a fortress belonging to the Savelli-Orsini family, and was called "Castel di Leva". On one of the towers of the castle there was an image of the Virgin Mary, portrayed as sitting on the Throne and holding Jesus in her arms. A dove descends upon her as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which is indeed the Divine Love. The image frescoed was venerated by the local shepherds from the beginning. In the spring of 1740 a wayfarer on his way to Rome, while approaching the tower, was attached by a herd of dogs and was on the point of being slaughtered. He saw the image of Mary and cried out to her for help. Immediately the dogs calmed down and left the area. On account of this event, on Sept 5th of the same year the image of Mary was cut and removed from the tower and transferred to a nearby estate called "La Falconiana", where there was a small church dedicated to St. Maria ad Magos". Five years later on April 19, 1745 the image was brought back to its original place where meanwhile a church has been erected and was consecrated later in 1750 by Cardinal Carlo Rezzonico, who later became Pope Clement XIII. From that time onwards pilgrimages began and gradually the number of pilgrims became numerous, and pilgrimages are continuing still today. On March 25, 1942 Don Umberto founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Divine Love, and twenty years later the Oblate Priests, who since then have the care of the Shrine. The new Shrine was solemnly blessed by Pope John Paul II on July 4, 1999. The New Shrine has green ground as roof, great colorful stained glasses which fill the entire space of the church with light.