Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Via di Porta Angelica: A Treasure of Faith and History in Rome

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Via di Porta Angelica, though no longer existing in its original form, remains a spiritual and historical landmark in the heart of Rome. Its history, steeped in popular faith and Marian devotion, continues to live on in the memory of the faithful and in the art it preserves.

The Miraculous Icon: A Byzantine Origin Shrouded in Mystery

The beating heart of this sanctuary was the sacred image of the Madonna delle Grazie, an oil painting on wood from the Byzantine school dating back to the 11th-12th century. This icon, of modest size (26×20 cm), depicts the Virgin Mary offering her left breast to the Child Jesus, who holds in his left hand a scroll with an inscription that remains undeciphered to this day. Its exact origin remains a mystery, but its veneration grew rapidly over the centuries.

A Sanctuary Rich in Ex-Votos: Testimonies of Graces Received

Starting from 1618, the image of the Madonna delle Grazie became an object of great popular devotion. The walls of the church quickly filled with ex-votos: votive objects offered by the faithful as a sign of gratitude for graces received. According to what was reported by Carocci in his “Ragionamento sopra l’immagine di Maria Santissima delle Grazie a Porta Angelica in Roma,” there were about 1450 ex-votos. These objects, predominantly goldsmith work, testify to the deep faith and gratitude of the faithful.

Unfortunately, a large part of these precious objects were melted down to obtain precious metal for the creation of ten silver candelabra, five lamps, and a monstrance. A pious work, but one that resulted in the loss of an invaluable historical and devotional heritage.

Destruction and Rebirth: A New Sanctuary at Trionfale

Between 1936 and 1939, due to the expansion works on Via di Porta Angelica, the original church was demolished. A painful event for the community, but one that did not mark the end of devotion to the Madonna delle Grazie. In memory of the lost sanctuary, a shrine with a copy of the sacred image was erected, created by the Vatican Mosaic Institute. The original image, however, was transferred to the new church of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Trionfale, built in 1940, where it is still kept and venerated today.

Pius VI and the Indulgences: A Spiritual Privilege

Pope Pius VI, with a papal brief dated May 10, 1776, granted spiritual privileges and a plenary indulgence, applicable also to the deceased, to the altar of the Madonna delle Grazie. A tangible sign of the Church’s recognition and support for the popular devotion to this sacred image.

A Path of Faith and Discovery: What to Look for Today

Even though the original church no longer exists, searching for the place where the sanctuary once stood can become a suggestive experience. Going to Via di Porta Angelica, one can admire the shrine with the copy of the image. But the true destination of the pilgrimage is the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Trionfale, where the original icon is kept. There, one can admire the sacred image up close, pray, and reflect on the history of faith and devotion that has accompanied it over the centuries. One can also try to imagine what the ancient church must have been like, rich with ex-votos and testimonies of popular faith.

A further point of research could be to delve into the history of the ex-votos, trying to reconstruct, through archival documents or indirect testimonies, the typology and meaning of the objects offered by the faithful. A way to connect with the life stories, sufferings, and hopes of those who sought comfort and help in the Madonna delle Grazie.