Alì Terme (Italy). On 20 January 2026, hurricane ‘Harry’ hit with rain and winds exceeding 100 km/h, causing violent storm surges on the coasts of Sicily, Calabria, and Sardinia, with waves up to 10 meters high, which caused serious damage to homes, infrastructure, coastal roads, beaches, beach resorts, small ports, squares, shops, and accommodations.
In particular, “Mother Maddalena Morano” Province (ISI) reports serious damage to part of Mary Help of Christians Institute in Alì Terme, in the province of Messina, founded by Mother Maddalena Morano in 1890.
As early as December 1899, a violent storm surge hit the entire town, and was narrated in the Cronaca of the House. “The sea water, rising to a height of 50 meters, tore down the surrounding wall and flooded the vast courtyard and the ground floor of the school. Mother Morano’s daring and faith urged the Sisters and girls to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Confident in Mary Help of Christians, she decided to turn the statue of Our Lady, which was placed in a niche in the courtyard, towards the sea, confident of Mary’s intervention. In fact, as soon as the statue was turned to the sea, the angry waves retreated to visible emotion from everyone.”
Today, Mary Help of Christians Institute is configured as a Socio-Educational Center and a Center for Reception, Spirituality, and Social Promotion. The facility operates daily offering support to families, Oratory reception, formation for children and young people, and assistance to the most vulnerable groups in the Ionian zone. The Church of Mary Help of Christians in Alì Terme, now the Diocesan Marian Sanctuary, stands here, where the mortal remains of Blessed Maddalena Morano rest.
The fury of the wind and sea waves, dragging sand, debris, and branches, have caused damage to educational and sports facilities. In particular: the pedestrian and driveway entrance doors were totally destroyed, the soccer field was completely torn down, and the bathrooms were severely damaged and rendered unusable.
Furthermore, the internal courtyard adjacent to Mary Help of Christians sanctuary is filled with sea sand; the window frames on the side adjacent to the sea have all been dismantled; the internal walls require urgent repair and repainting, and the central power supply is totally damaged.
Once the disturbance passed, work is already underway in Alì Terme to try to repair the damage and restore the situation to normal. To make at least the premises and facilities of the Youth Center Oratory accessible as quickly as possible, relying on the generosity of benefactors, the Community and the ISI Province immediately organized a fundraiser.
