Our Lady of Mantua

https://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/our-lady-of-mantua.html 

April 13: Our Lady of Mantua (1640)

This present shrine to Our Lady of Mantua was built by Gonzaga family in year 1460.
There is seen a miraculous painting of Blessed Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus that is known to have been venerated since about year 1000.
Originally known as Saint Mary of the Vows, painting is crowned today.

According to tradition, history of site dates back to Saint Anselm.
At that time Blessed Virgin had promised her protection for city.
Starting in 1477, word spread that before image numerous miracles had occurred, so that by then substantial offerings began to pour into church (hence name of Santa Maria dei Voti).

After plague of 1630, which had overwhelmed city & its territory, princess Maria Gonzaga, regent of duchy, wanted to entrust herself, her dynasty, & state to protection of Blessed Virgin.

The princess was determined to place herself, her son Charles II & states of Mantua & of Monferrate under special protection of Mary.
She ordered that image of Mary should be carried in procession through streets of city, & desired that image be solemnly crowned in Basilica of Saint Andrea, as Queen of Mantua.

The solemn crowning of Our Lady commonly called Santa Maria dei Voti was strongly urged by pious princess Maria Gonzaga in year 1640, when dam of Po River in Italy broke.
The coronation took place with great solemnity on November 28, 1640.

Since then, church & picture painted of Santa Maria dei Voti were named dell’Incoronata, or ‘Saint Mary the Crowned,’ & annual festival was fixed on first Sunday after feast of Saint Martin, November 11.

On this occasion, but also during month of May, which is traditionally dedicated to Marian devotion, dell’Incoronata is exposed in cathedral, covered in sumptuous dresses dating from 17th century.

The 3 following centenary years in particular saw an unanimous & grateful expression of love on part of Mantuans, who still venerate Madonna “Incoronata,” Madonna who said, “Mantua is mine, & as mine I'll always defend it.”