This Sunday, May 31, the Shrine of Madonna della Stella officially began its journey toward 2036, when 500 years will have passed since the Marian apparition of 1536. The celebration began with a 5:30 PM Mass presided over by the Bishop of Brescia, Monsignor Pierantonio Tremolada, marking the start of a project that will involve the communities of Cellatica, Gussago, and Concesio.
The shrine’s rector, Father Giorgio Comini, explained that this is the beginning of an important path they want to build together. To this end, the groundwork will be laid for the «Comitato 500,» a group of laypeople who will accompany and support the journey in all areas: spiritual, cultural, social, and economic. The chosen date is not coincidental: it coincides with the feast of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth and with the commemoration of the apparition to Stella.
A work of art donated to the shrine
During the celebration, a large altarpiece dedicated to the Visitation was presented and blessed, donated to the shrine by the heirs of Professor Angela Gallia. The work, titled «The Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth with Saint Charles Borromeo,» is attributed to the circle of the Venetian painter Giambattista Pittoni. It is an 18th-century oval oil on canvas, restored in recent months, notable for its luminous colors and an intense, dynamic scene.
Father Giorgio emphasized that it is a wonderful painting and that it takes on even stronger meaning because the liturgical memorial of the Visitation falls on May 31. The work arrives at the shrine in memory of Angela Gallia, a well-known figure in Brescia’s cultural world, a lifelong teacher who passed away in 2023 at the age of 97. In her honor, the Angela Gallia Foundation was created, promoted by the Congrega della Carità Apostolica, which supports vulnerable students and young people facing economic hardship through scholarships and educational projects.
Context and relevance
The journey toward 2036 will also include a series of interventions and works at the shrine. Among the announced projects are the renovation of the rectory roof, the relocation of the Antegnati organ, and the acquisition of a monumental Pietà in Carrara marble by sculptor Enrico Savelli. The intention is to turn the anniversary not only into a religious celebration but also into an opportunity to boost Stella’s role as a place of encounter, welcome, and charity.
The initiative seeks to unite memory, faith, and art, with the active participation of the local area. The shrine, which has already made headlines for initiatives such as installing a defibrillator, is preparing for a decade of activities that will leave a spiritual, cultural, and social mark. The community hopes that this long journey will strengthen bonds among the faithful and open new possibilities for service and witness.
Original source: www.giornaledibrescia.it (published on May 31, 2026)
