In 1965, a restoration campaign took place.
Description: Polychrome stucco dating back to the 16th century. It depicts the Madonna holding the Child, who holds a little lamb in his hand.
Date of origin: Between 1500 and 1600.
Epiphany: Vincenzo Muzzarelli, a brilliant officer of the Este court, had set out from Sassuolo on a pilgrimage to venerate St. Francis of Assisi. Passing through Pavullo, he spent a night resting in the dilapidated oratory of Sassoguidano. The Madonna appeared to him in a vision, urging him to stay and rebuild the crumbling structure and dedicate his life to the spiritual care of the place. Vincenzo Muzzarelli took the religious name Francesco Antonio.
Image: Other
Collection of ex-votos: No
A small chapel originally stood on the site. This was followed by an oratory built at the behest of Vincenzo (Francesco) Muzzarelli around 1690. Vincenzo Muzzarelli, a brilliant officer of the Este court, had set out from Sassuolo on a pilgrimage to venerate St. Francis of Assisi. Passing through Pavullo, he spent a night resting in the dilapidated oratory of Sassoguidano. The Madonna appeared to him in a vision, urging him to stay and rebuild the crumbling structure and dedicate his life to the spiritual care of the place. Vincenzo Muzzarelli took the religious name Francesco Antonio.
The oratory remained part of the parish of Niviano (which until 1710 was referred to by the place name Gallina Morta) until 1820 but was long the subject of dispute between the parishes of Gallina Morta and Sassoguidano (the parish of the Conversion of St. Paul). In 1820, it was separated from Niviano and remained under the parish of the Conversion of St. Paul in Sassoguidano until 1837. In 1837, it was returned to the parish of the Blessed Virgin Assumed into Heaven in Niviano by a bishop’s decree.
The date given for the establishment of the first parish corresponds to the oldest document preserved there.
BIBLIOGRAPHY – The following texts, already included in the bibliographic repertoire linked to the sanctuaries of the Diocese of Modena, contain references and bibliography useful for the current research:
BOOK – BALDELLI FRANCA, *Gli archivi parrocchiali della provincia di Modena*, 1994. (The work examines all the parishes of the Diocese of Modena-Nonantola, briefly reconstructing their history and documentary heritage. Specifically: Oratory of the Graces of Sassomassiccio: pp. 138-139.)
BOOK – SILINGARDI GIANCARLO, *Santuari Mariani Modenesi*, Modena 1979 (Oratory of the Graces of Sassomassiccio: p. 208).
BOOK – MONTANARI GIANCARLO, *Itinerari mariani*, Modena 1991. (The author examines some of the main oratories and sanctuaries dedicated to the Virgin in the Diocese of Modena-Nonantola, providing information on their history, art, and devotion: Oratory of the Graces of Sassomassiccio: II, 79-86.)
ARTICLE IN MISCELLANY – PEZZOLI S., *Repertorio generale dei santuari in Emilia Romagna*, in *Arte e santuari in Emilia Romagna*, Cinisello Balsamo 1987 (Diocese of Modena: Oratory of the Graces of Sassomassiccio: p. 203).
BOOK – LONGAGNANI, MANICARDI, SCHIFANI CORFINI, *Le Case le Pietre le Storie. Itinerari nei comuni della provincia di Modena*, Modena 1980. (Brief description: A guide, curated by the Province of Modena, reviewing all the places to visit in individual municipalities. At the beginning, thematic itineraries are also proposed, one of which is dedicated to sanctuaries. Oratory of the Graces of Sassomassiccio: pp. 254-255.)
BOOK – *Amministrazione Provinciale di Modena. Istituto per i beni culturali dell’Emilia Romagna, Insediamento storico e beni culturali. Il Frignano. Comuni di Fanano, Fiumalbo, Montecreto, Pievepelago, Riolunato, Sestola.*, Modena 1998 (Oratory of the Graces of Sassomassiccio: vol. I, 67).
The first to actively care for the oratory and reside there was the hermit friar Francesco Antonio Muzzarelli at the end of the 17th century.
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