December 29
Madonna dei Fiori, Bra, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
On December 29, 1336, two soldiers of fortune assaulted a young pregnant wife, Egidia Mathis, who sought refuge against a pillar with a Byzantine madonna on it. When she cried for help to the Madonna, a light struck the pillar, the soldiers fled, a radiant Lady appeared, and the surrounding plum trees burst into bloom, which they have done every December since, three months early (except on rare occasions, as before the two World Wars in 1914 and 1939). Meanwhile, overcome with emotion, Egidia gave birth to her son prematurely.
Townspeople soon built a chapel at the site of the pillar. To accommodate pilgrims, larger churches were completed in 1626 and 1978. Flemish artist Jean Claret's painting of 1628 (left), formerly over the main altar of the 1626 church, resides in a side chapel.[1]
The town of Bra celebrates Our Lady of the Flowers with a procession on the Virgin's birthday, September 8.[2]
[1] Information and image from the shrine's website, Santuario Madonna dei Fiori di Bra, www.santuariomadonnadeifioribra.com.
[2] See also the town's website, "Madonna dei Fiori Sanctuary," Cittą di Bra, www.comune.bra.cn.it/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=453&catid=39&Itemid=295.
Also commemorated this date:
 | Notre-Dame de Talence, Talence, Gironde, Aquitaine, France. Two children found Pietą statue, 1729. Feast September 15. |