The Miraculous Image of the Madonna of Rimini

The Mother of Mercy was painted in 1796 by Giuseppe Soleri
Brancaleoni at the request of his sister, Sr. Clare Soleri, as a
replica of the miraculous image venerated in the Oratory of St.
Girolamo. This painting was placed as an object of veneration in
a rear chapel within the Church of St. Clare in Rimini, Italy.
On May 12, 1850, three women, having gone there to pray
in front of the holy image, witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon:
the pupils in the image "rose and lowered; sometimes
having the splendor of shining stars, at other times veiled in
tears." This miraculous event repeated itself again and again
over a period of several months in the sight of many. Rimini
and its surrounding countryside began to experience a spiritual
renewal. After a rigorous examination of evidence given by numerous
witnesses, the miracle was verifi ed by the Holy Catholic
Church. In 1851, the image was adorned with a crown of gold,
silver and precious stones; as a gift from Pope Pius IX.
The venerated image has had many, various miracles attributed
to it over the years, and numerous ex-voto offerings which
commemorate them may be seen in the Church of St. Clare.
In time, the Mother of Mercy came to be known as the
Madonna of Rimini. The beautiful image, traditionally said to
have been painted while Soleri was on his knees, is currently
located over the High Altar in the Church of St. Clare, and to
this day retains that "delicacy and smoothness" which have
never failed to move those who prayerfully contemplate it.