Nizza Monferrato (Italy). On 20 June 2025, in a suggestive and warm evening, the Communities of Our Lady of Grace and Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello of Nizza Monferrato (AT), Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI), with the Sisters of Project Mornese in English and some lay benefactors went up to the hill of the Motherhouse praying the Rosary, to honor Mary Help of Christians finally “returned” to her place.
This year, in fact, the statue that from time immemorial watches over the house from the top of the hill has been restored with the generous contribution of various local Lions Clubs.
For all the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians it is a very dear statue, because it was given by Don Bosco to the first Community of Mornese shortly after the foundation of the FMA Institute (between 1872 and 1874).
Mother Mazzarello wanted a beautiful statue of the Madonna and Don Bosco generously provided to fulfill her wish. When in 1878-’79, the first community of the FMA from Mornese was moved to Nizza Monferrato, the statue was also brought to Nizza.
Initially, it was placed inside the Motherhouse, but then – remembering how it was done in Mornese – it was placed in a small area in the vineyard, to guard the house, as had been done by the first sisters in Mornese with the so-called “Madonna of the woods”.
More than of artistic value, the statue has therefore a high emotional and spiritual value, in memory of the great love for Mary Help of Christians, the true Superior of the Community, as Mother Mazzarello called her.
The rosary was prayed in different languages and then, arrived on the hill, they sang to Mary, imploring the gift of peace that is so needed. The chaplain of the House, Father Vittorio Bazzoni, blessed and incensed, not only the statue, but all the pilgrims who, together with a representation of the Lions of the Monferrato area, wanted to honor Mary, invoking her as guardian of the House of Nizza and of the whole Institute.
