Do you believe in Miracles?

For Maryellen...

Contemporary, secular life is transforming Sicily. A few years ago, the arrival of its first sprawling supermall Etnapolis with a McDonald's drive thru, multiplex theatre and American style restaurants stand as a 21st century reminder that this island is coming of age.

Yet Sicilians still embrace their Catholicism with childlike wonder, unwavering faith and a genuine belief that miracles do happen in such a modern world.

Just a few miles from our house is the Belpasso sanctuary that Maryellen, Christine and I discovered. It took an American woman living all the way yonder in Olivieri to tell us about a little haven for miracles in our own backyard.

Welcome to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Cliff.



It was May 1986 and a teenager Tuscany Rosary fell ill with a virus and was touched by a supernatural manifestation - the voice of the Virgin Mary. She first appeared in his villa and called him to a nearby wooded location.

He noticed a cloud swiftly approaching that arrived to the cliff he was called to. It opened like a flower exposing a magnetic light that manifested as Mary.

In his own words: She arrived dressed in an "incandescent white like the silver glares of the sun in placid and crystal waters." The Madonna spoke as well: "Abandon yourself to my heart completely as I am the manifestation of your saint."



She came to him 32 times during the next two years and only at this location.

Despite skepticism from his family and relatives, he maintained and consistently repeated his story.

Church officials rigorously investigated Tuscany and his claims and found the boy of sound mind and heart and in no way a publicity seeker.




This sanctuary and outdoor church was erected and opened in May 1988 to a crowd of 150,000.