In 1681, a church was built on the site of the small chapel in honor of Our Lady of Graces. Around 1694, the roof and floor were restored, and the bell tower was constructed above the hermitage. The niche, where the statue of the Virgin was later placed, was built between 1851 and 1858. In 1854, it was decided to restore the church, and the work was completed in 1861. In 1907, the church was expanded: the façade was extended forward by about 10 meters, and the two apses were lengthened toward the north. At the back of the apses, the two altars of the Virgin and St. Roch were placed. The work was completed in 1909. The portal, topped by a window, is located between two pairs of pilasters, between which two windows are inserted. On the left side, the bell tower is connected to the body of the church by one of the sacristy walls.
**Description:**
The statue depicting the Madonna and Child was purchased in Rome in 1736. It had been carved in 1732 by a Polish artist: G. Gottlieb Curleffschij. The statue, approximately 1.80 meters tall, depicts the Madonna wearing a pink tunic with a blue mantle over it, a white veil on her head, and holding the Child in her arms. The statue was purchased to replace the stolen oil painting between 1679 and 1729. It is enclosed in a glass niche and framed by a marble aedicule. The statue was restored in 1868, 1954, and in the early 1980s.
**In use since:** 1736
**Image:** Statue
**Collection of ex-votos:** Data not available
**Notes on the collection:** The gold and silver ex-votos were stolen multiple times.
**Type of ex-votos:** Jewelry
At the time of the miracle of the moving eyes, registers were kept of all the miracles that occurred, but these were lost during the Napoleonic period.
1736 is the year the statue of the Virgin was purchased. It is likely that the church already existed by that date.
Regarding the miracle of the moving eyes, aside from oral tradition, the only remaining source is a written account by Archpriest D. Domenico Gorga on the occasion of the discovery of the autographed parchment by the statue’s creator inside the statue itself, which occurred in 1869. To preserve the miracle for posterity, the archpriest had a declaration confirming the truth of the events signed by some of the most prominent and devout individuals.
Popular tradition holds that on July 9, 1796, some women praying before the statue of Our Lady of Graces witnessed the movement of its eyes. This phenomenon repeated for about a month, allowing many people to witness it. From that moment, a series of collective and individual miracles took place.
**October 3, 1779:** First centenary of the miracle of liberation from the plague.
**December 26, 1780:** Maria Pia Proia, Eugenia Bianchi, and Agnese Barone established a chaplaincy under the title of Our Lady of Graces and St. Roch, with the obligation for the chaplain to celebrate 60 low masses annually on feast days at the chaplain’s discretion.
**April 1797:** Bishop Paolo Ciotti, in his *relatione ad limina*, mentions the miraculous image of Gavignano.
**October 22, 1854:** The Congregation of Festaioli was established to oversee the worship of Our Lady of Graces.
**1896:** First centenary of the moving eyes.
**October 3, 1945:** The Virgin was crowned by Cardinal E. Sibilia on behalf of the Vatican Chapter.
**July 9, 1946:** 150th anniversary of the July 9 miracle.
In 1796, Pius VI granted a 200-day indulgence to the faithful who recited the litanies of the Virgin. In 1835, the sanctuary’s chaplain obtained a declaration that the altar of the Virgin was a Perpetual Daily Privileged Altar. In 1849, the same priest requested a perpetual plenary indulgence for the faithful who visited the sanctuary on October 3.
Since the establishment of this confraternity, the administration of revenues and benefits passed under its control.
The *signori* (gentlemen) were the main donors of objects and goods to Our Lady of Graces. They held office for one year and oversaw the sanctuary and its spiritual care, which they entrusted to the chaplain.
00030 Gavignano RM, Italy
