Mary in the popular tradition of worship

Sanctuary of the Madonna "Salus Infirmorum" of Scaldaferro: liturgical notes

The figure of the Virgin is probably one of the strongest cultural symbols, which permeates profoundly every religious expression and manifestation.
Contact between the devout person and the Madonna is brought about through an explicit appeal for her intervention, which is the expression of total faith in her intercession, and the main feature of devotion to her. It may be stated that if the history of Worship of Mary is directly connected with the evangelical-liturgical tradition, studied in its mystery by theologians, the perception of her power as "dispenser of all graces" is instead direct and almost intuitive on the part of the "sensus fidelium". In the Virgin Christians have always seen the first and greatest of all believers, the privileged witness of that salvation to which she has contributed directly through her total adhesion to the will of God. As the Mother of the Son, she becomes the mother of all believers, capable of manifesting all the power of divine love in a human heart. Furthermore in respect to the faithful she is free from all sin, pure and holy, but at the same time close to the history of man, having shared his suffering and having borne the greatest suffering: the death of Christ.
Scholars of popular religion speak of an element which makes the figure of the Virgin unique: her "universality" and "historicity". Mary is in fact above everybody, a Saint and Queen, and yet she is for everybody in her constant intervention everywhere, as a guide and model, but above all as Mary Mother of Mercy. It is to her that churches and above all sanctuaries, privileged places of devotion, have been dedicated, where she can be worshipped and "met" by the faithful who invoke her to thank her.
One of these places is the Sanctuary of the Madonna Salus infirmorum of Scaldaferro, testimony of authentic faith, which sees in Mary succour of the suffering. The fresco of the miracle actually depicts her with a nurse's apron, underlining the care and great humility with which the Saint of Saints dedicates herself to the weak, seeing in their suffering the real countenance of Christ.

By dott. Michela Fantin (Arts Office of the Diocese of Vicenza)