la madonnina a casa mia

I had a very unique house guest this past week... The Madonnina has been traveling the streets of our little town, visiting each house for one night as she passes through. She has been traveling for over 30 years now.

It was a magical night when she arrived. A parade of townspeople gathered her and her flowers at my neighbor’s house and escorted her down the street, up the stairs of my house, and into my guest room. My house was full of people! Our priest began to pray and informed us of the prayers we were to make as a family later that evening. She then stayed in our house for the night. There was such a peace in the air...

In the morning, my house was open to visitors who wanted to spend time with her and those who wanted to pray by her side. Around 7pm, my neighbors arrived to recite the rosary and sing songs together. The priest then arrived shortly after and blessed my house. Once he was finished the parade of people began again. Each guest gathered the flowers and candles and escorted the Madonnina out of my house and across the street to my neighbor's house...

The little experiences in a small Sicilian village...