Part of a Series on Vincentian Heritage Places

Livorno, Sanctuary of Montenero

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The hilltop Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montenero, Patron of Livorno and of Tuscany, was a place that helped transform Seton to Catholicism and the first American saint in history. She and the Filicchi family visited this church in 1804. It was one of the first Catholic churches where Elizabeth attended Mass. Here, her heart awakened to the presence of Christ in the tabernacle. She felt a profound pull toward the Blessed Sacrament.

In Elizabeth’s own words, as described in The Practice of Spiritual Direction In the Life and Writings of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton by Shin Ja Lee: “Visiting the Church of Montenero at Leghorn, she was so indignant at a young Englishman who loudly said that ‘this is what they call their real PRESENCE,’ at the ‘Very moment the Priest was doing the most sacred action they call the elevation’ during Mass. She felt that her heart ‘trembled with shame and sorrow for this unfeeling interruption of their sacred adoration for all around was dead Silence and many were prostrated.’ – Seton CW, 1, sec., 2.11, 290-291.”

The Sanctuary of the Madonna of Montenero, elevated to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Pius VII in 1818, is maintained by Vallombrosan monks and is consecrated to the Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace).

Artwork in the Seton chapel of Santuario di Montenero

Artwork in the Seton chapel of Santuario di Montenero

All Vincentian Places in this Series

Red = Vincent de Paul, Blue = Frederic Ozanam, Teal = Elizabeth Seton

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