The Virgin Mary, in accepting the eternal plan of God and the mystery of the Incarnate Word, rightfully bears the title Mother of Good Counsel. This title was officially recognized on April 22, 1903, when Pope Leo XIII issued a decree adding the invocation Mater Boni Consilii, ora pro nobis ("Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us") to the Litany of Loreto.
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Traditionally, the title Our Lady of Good Counsel refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the source of heavenly wisdom and guidance. Many connect this to the episode at the Wedding Feast of Cana, where Mary offers the final words attributed to her in the Gospels: “Do whatever He tells you.” These words have been treasured as one of the most excellent pieces of counsel ever given.
Who among us does not need advice? And who can offer better advice than a mother?
A Miraculous Image in Genazzano
Our Lady of Good Counsel is also the name given to a miraculous image housed in an Augustinian church in the small town of Genazzano, about 30 miles southeast of Rome. This sanctuary has been a center of devotion for centuries, drawing the faithful and inspiring the prayers of popes and saints alike—including St. John XXIII, St. John Paul II, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and Pope Benedict XVI, who had a reproduction of the icon placed in the Vatican Gardens in 2009.
What makes this icon so unique, and why has it drawn such international devotion?
We begin with the history of the church itself. The current Basilica of Our Lady of Good Counsel stands on the site of an 11th-century church originally dedicated to Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio. In the 15th century, a devout widow named Petruccia donated all her belongings to rebuild the church, though she had few resources. Her neighbors mocked her, but she remained steadfast in faith, proclaiming, “My children, do not worry—for before I die, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Augustine will complete this church.”
The Apparition of April 25, 1467
According to tradition, Petruccia’s prophetic words came true. On April 25, 1467—the Feast of Saint Mark—at the hour of Vespers, a mysterious event occurred. The townspeople heard the church bells ring without human aid as a luminous cloud descended upon an unfinished wall of the church. Before the astonished eyes of the faithful, the cloud lifted to reveal a beautiful fresco, no more than 18 inches square, depicting the Virgin Mary tenderly holding the Christ Child.
It was believed that the image had miraculously traveled from a church in Shkodër, Albania, just before the Ottoman invasion. Devotion to the Madonna of Shkodër continues today, with Albanian Catholics honoring her under the title Our Lady of Albania. The arrival of the image is still celebrated annually in Genazzano on April 25.
A Legacy of Miracles
Following the apparition, an astonishing number of miracles were reported. Between April 27 and August 14, 1467, a local priest acting as a notary recorded 161 miracles. These included physical healings, answered prayers, and dramatic conversions. The codices documenting these miracles are preserved in the sanctuary archives.
Inside the basilica, the icon is venerated in a small chapel that forms the heart of the sanctuary. The Virgin Mary is depicted wearing a blue mantle—symbolizing humanity—while the Child Jesus wears a red robe, signifying His divinity. The Madonna's face reflects the classical artistic tradition, while the child displays features of the Byzantine style, symbolizing the union between East and West. Above them arches a rainbow, the biblical sign of peace.
Pilgrims and Popes Seek Counsel
Many popes have visited the shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in search of divine wisdom. Pope Urban VII prayed for the end of a plague in Rome. Pope Pius IX sought the Virgin’s intercession before the First Vatican Council. St. John XXIII prayed here for guidance ahead of the Second Vatican Council. St. John Paul II brought a copy of the image to Albania and consecrated the nation to the Mother of Good Counsel.
Today, the sanctuary in Genazzano continues to be a place of prayer and pilgrimage. Visitors are invited to come, kneel, and ask the Mother of Good Counsel for the wisdom only a mother can give.
After all, we all need good advice—especially when it comes from a mother.
In the next episode, we will continue exploring the history and devotion associated with Our Lady of Good Counsel and visit another sanctuary dedicated to her under this beloved title.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, after meeting with his brother Cardinals in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV made a pilgrimage to Genazzano to visit Our Lady of Good Counsel.
This article was originally published February 27, 2023. It has been adapted and edited by Jacob Stein.
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