A cult persists, fueled each year by one million pilgrims crossing the threshold of the basilica of Materdomini. Come from anywhere for a visit to San Gerardo, a prayer on his tomb, a deep meditation. One hundred thousand, one hundred thousand faces. Many life stories of suffering but also of miraculous healings among the aisles of the basilica.
It goes to Materdonini for faith, devotion, by the grace received. But there are only faithful in the crowd. This important place of worship is also visited by those who are looking for a lost spirituality to find in the example, in the life of the saint of the poor, the humble. A saint whose message can always be present and disruptive.

The story of Materdomini side of the hill overlooking the sources of Sele and the center of Caposele, stood in ancient gia 'in 1527, the church dedicated to the cult of St. Maria Mater Christi. It seems that it was already 'known in 1200. It was a destination for pilgrims from neighboring areas and even from Basilicata. There is venerated statue of the Madonna in prayer, perhaps part of a more complex 'wide, of which the origin is unknown. S. in 1746 Alfonso of Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists, I accept 'in order for the care of church and 7 May 1748 was the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the convent. Working here 'and died in 1755, Gerardo Maiella, Redemptorist religious. The fame of his holiness' and its miracles did increase more and more 'the number of pilgrims who came each year to Materdomini. The temple will find 'insufficient but it was expanded and incorporated into a church more' big, rich and stucco decorations, Mariana Basilica consecrated only in 1929. In 60-70 years we built a new church dedicated to San Gerardo, contiguous and communicating with the Basilica, modern and linear, with functional structures attached to receive pilgrims. Now the statue of the Madonna and 'situated in the new church.

The town of Materdomini has' developed around the Sanctuary of San Gerardo, where once there was only a few isolated farmhouse. When the inflow of devotees became more 'substantial, were opened taverns, inns and resale of various kinds. These housed many people especially during the three periods in which there were major exhibitions: August 2 (S. Alfonso), 6-7-8 in September and October 16. Even today, during these days flock to Materdomini thousands of people, but on October 16 (anniversary of the death of San Gerardo) people are much more '. The activities related to the arrival of strangers did much to increase the number of inhabitants and, of course, you had to provide places of urbanization and new houses were built. The first was completed Via del Santuario. In the'70s and 'has carried out a wide parking service of the new church and' finished in the same period.

Materdomini area on the hill rises 590 meters. sl east of Caposele of which 'fraction. The town position explains the air and ventilated, which preserves the pollution, despite the significant influx of cars and buses that lead the faithful to visit the Sanctuary of San Gerardo. San Gerardo is the protector of mothers and children still live a cult, fueled each year by one million pilgrims crossing the threshold of the basilica of Materdomini. Come from anywhere for a visit to San Gerardo, a prayer on his tomb, a deep meditation. One hundred thousand, one hundred thousand faces. Many life stories of suffering but also of miraculous healings among the aisles of the basilica.

It goes to Materdonini for faith, devotion, by the grace received. But there are only faithful in the crowd. This important place of worship is also visited by those who are looking for a lost spirituality to find in the example, in the life of the saint of the poor, the humble. A saint whose message can always be present and disruptive. Other retailers selling products of local agriculture, which are also for sale at the agricultural cooperative "COLLEVERDE".

Information:
Santuario di San Gerardo a Maiella: via Piazzale Chiesa Nuova, Materdomini (Caposele) Avellino Telephone +39 0827 58118 - 58498 - 58496

di Paola De Stasio

info@lacasadimimma.it or lacasadimimma@libero.it