Castellammare. A special stamp for the 150th anniversary of the Coronation of the Madonna of Pozzano
Castellammare. Over the centuries, the citizens of Castellammare di Stabia and the surrounding areas have turned to the Madonna of Pozzano with special devotion, giving thanks for the graces received and rediscovering hope, facing her in difficult times. Next July 2nd the 150th anniversary (1874-2024) of the Coronation of the sacred icon of the Madonna by the Vatican Chapter at the hands of Monsignor Francesco Saverio Petagna will be solemnly celebrated. Poste Italiane will activate a temporary philatelic service in Castellammare di Stabia with a special stamp designed to celebrate the historic event: it will be possible to stamp with the special stamp correspondence presented at the Poste Italiane stand, set up from 5pm to 8pm at the Basilica of Pozzano. A special themed postcard with the event will also be presented. The solemn celebration in the Basilica at 7pm will be presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. The authorities, religious, civil and military, will be present. The Minimi Friars invite all the faithful of the Queen and patroness of Castellammare di Stabia to joyfully participate in this anniversary which will be an opportunity to share a moment of profound spirituality. Tradition, later denied by history, has it that the painting of the Madonna of Pozzano was hidden in a well on the Pozzano hill. Several centuries later, some farmers who lived near the well, now abandoned and covered in brambles, saw a flame burning for several evenings, but fearful they did not dare to approach. A few days later a group of fishermen witnessed an apparition of the Madonna who, covered by a white veil, invited them to look for the well and recover the sacred image. The fishermen, believing it was a hallucination, did not follow the invitation of the Virgin, who returned the following evening: the men, frightened, ran to the bishop, who had had the same vision in a dream. A procession was organised, and in a short time, after having removed large quantities of brambles, the well was found and inside it a casing containing the effigy of the Virgin. Michele De Feo @All rights reserved
