The current structure was built based on the design of architect Mario Arconi, who repositioned the church to prevent moisture from damaging the image. In 1639, the wall with the fresco depicting the Virgin and Child was sawn off and placed on the high altar, donated by the nobleman Lorenzo Buzi, where it still resides today. The church features a hall with a vaulted ceiling, and the presbytery is topped by a dome, with a narthex located outside.
**Description:** The object of worship consists of a detached fresco, framed and preserved on the altar of the Sanctuary.
**First use:** In the year 1521.
**Epiphany:** Tradition holds that the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl named Oliva, who had gotten lost in the hills above the town of Cori, and protected her under her mantle for eight days at the site where the Sanctuary now stands.
**Image:** Painting
**Original location of the Sanctuary:** Room adjacent to the Sanctuary, next to the sacristy.
**Notes on the collection:** The exact chronology is unknown. Some objects certainly date back to the early 1900s, though it is uncertain whether others may be from earlier periods. The paintings and panels were created in this century. Even in the apostolic visits of 1595 and 1681, the diocesan ordinaries noted the enormous number of ex-votos.
**Types of ex-votos:** Inscribed tablets or plaques, painted tablets, goldsmith objects, real or represented prosthetics, photographs.
**Current preservation:** The state of preservation is good.
**References to publications or printed descriptions:** There are currently no publications on the ex-votos.
There is no dedicated register of miracles, but a good number of them are recorded in Pistilli, 1896, pp. 53-82.
Shortly after the miraculous event, spontaneous pilgrimages began. A small chapel dedicated to the Madonna della Ginestra already existed on the site and was later expanded.
The legend tells of a three-year-old girl named Oliva who got lost on Mount Ginestra, where she remained for eight days under the mantle of the Virgin, who appeared to her and protected her from the elements. When Oliva was found, she recounted what had happened, and the small chapel was built. A few days after her rescue, the girl died, invoking the Lady dressed in white who had saved her.
The earliest documents attesting to the use of the title “Soccorso” date back to 1534 (previously: Madonna della Ginestra). On January 29, 1537, the second church, built to replace the previous chapel, was consecrated.
– **1570:** Formal legal proceedings at the Episcopal Curia of Velletri.
– **1634:** Construction began on the current church, completed in 1639.
– **November 20, 1778:** Coronation of the Virgin and Child.
– **1802:** Granted the title of “Illustrious Protector of the City of Cori.”
– **November 28, 1875:** Pope Pius IX affiliated the Sanctuary with the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
It is worth noting that the name Oliva was common in Cori, as the town’s church, managed by the Augustinians (though in decline in the 16th century), was dedicated to Saint Oliva.
Bishop Lorenzo Santorellis, who consecrated the church in 1537, granted 40 days of indulgence. The plenary indulgence was granted by Popes Clement VII and Alexander VII. Additionally, on September 21-24, 1878, during the first centenary of the coronation, Pope Leo XIII granted a plenary indulgence. In 1921, on the occasion of the 4th centenary of the apparition, Pope Benedict XV granted special indulgences to those who visited the Sanctuary.
The process for the recognition of the Sanctuary began in 1570 at the diocesan seat of Velletri, suggesting that jurisdiction has since been exercised by the Bishop of Velletri and has remained within the episcopal domain.
On December 8, 1938, the Trinitarian Fathers officially took custody of the Sanctuary.
The church was maintained by a chaplain (who also served as rector), a custodian, and a hermit responsible for collecting alms in the countryside and the town.
A confraternity was established to manage the Sanctuary, and its statutes were approved by Bishop T. Galli of Velletri.
87070 Cerchiara di Calabria CS, Italy
