For three years, there had been a period of sever drought in the Puglie region of Italy. In the spring of 1641, the people of Cursi and the surrounding area prayed fervently to the Blessed Mother for relief.
In April (date unknown) of that year, a local shepherd was herding stray cattle back to his farm when he saw light coming from an abandoned barn. Baglio Orlando Natali saw a vision of the Blessed Mother coming out of the light. He was so startled that he ran away, but Mary called out to him inviting him back. She told him, “I am the Queen of Heaven and suffer for the miserable conditions of men.” She also asked him to go to the pastor and ask for a church to built at that location. She promised that she would take the area under her protection and that there would be a great harvest.
Baglio rushed to tell the pastor, who then had all the people come to the spot to kneel and pray. As they started to return home, it began to rain for three days. The people had an abundant harvest and erected a church in honor of Holy Mary of Abundance. Baglio became a hermit and looked after the shrine. When the original church was destroyed by a fire, they rebuilt it.
The image of Our Lady of Abundance features Mary and the infant Jesus both holding sprigs of olives and ears of corn.
The shrine has become a common place for women who are having trouble nursing their babies to come to pray for an abundance of milk.
Prayer
Our Lady of Abundance, please generously intercede for us that we may have all we need.
Reflection
Is there an area of your life where you could benefit from more abundance? Bring your needs to Mary. She cares about our day-to-day needs. We can bring our cares to her and trust that she will hear our prayers.
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