The story behind the devotion to and image of Our Lady of Good Counsel is amazingly interwoven, multifaceted, ancient, and miraculous. The heart of its history, however, is to be found in the Italian city of Genazzano, where in the fourth century, a Church was built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the first one under her title of "Our Lady of Good Counsel".

The location of this Church was, in pagan times, a place of idolatry and vice. But after Emperor Constantine the Great converted, he gave this land to Pope St. Sylvester, whose successor (Pope St. Marcus) later consecrated this place and had there erected the Church dedicated to Our Lady. The heathen practices where replaced with Catholic festivities and the faith and devotion of the people of Genazzano flourished.

Sadly, however, as time passed, the faith lapsed and the church fell into decay. And thus it was until, in 1436, a pious widow named Petruccia Noteria felt a special calling to do something about it. She believed, as had been revealed to her by the Blessed Virgin Mary in a vision, that she had been confided with the task of restoring the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel.

The noble hearted woman dedicated herself completely to this task, but soon found that the obstacles were formidable. In vain, did she try to receive the support and assistance of the townspeople. Instead, the mere prospect of the undertaking made her the laughing stock and scorn of the entire city.

Widowed as she was, and having no children of her own, Petruccia used up all of her own financial resources to repair and rebuild the old church. But it was not enough. She soon lost even the means to support herself, and she scoured for friends and resources that would help fulfill this holy cause. But the longer and harder she tried, the more her friends and neighbors taunted and ridiculed her. At length, however, for a want of means, she had to abandon the project, leaving the unfinished walls of her renovation standing as in testimony to what the people called "Petruccia’s Folly".

But despite her old age and the constant attack she received from all fronts, Petruccia staunchly clung to her fervent belief that Our Lady wanted this accomplished - and therefore nothing would get in its way… no matter how hopeless it seemed. And indeed, when all hope seemed to have failed, God and Our Lady rewarded the faithful confidence of this noble woman in a truly remarkable way.

It was when the entire city was celebrating the feast of St. Mark, April 25, 1467, in the plaza not far from the unfinished remnants of Petruccia’s work, that the people soundly heard the sound of music. In fact, it was singing that they heard - heavenly and celestial, and all eyes turned to the source of the sound. It was then that they saw a mysterious cloud, bursting with light, hovering towards the old church. It slowly descended and finally rested upon one of Petruccia’s incomplete walls. Suddenly, the bell in the Church steeple began to ring. Everyone stared, as there was not a single person ringing it. And then, all at once, the other church bells of the city began to peal out in loud and joyous strains. Then, as the people crowded in towards the mysterious mist, the cloud slowly disappeared, revealing a beautiful picture of Our Lady and the Christ Child.

Immediately, the cry of ‘Miracle’ resounded throughout the entire city. And people came from near and far to see the blessed picture. Petruccia, too, beholding with her own eyes this amazing answer to her persevering and fervent prayers, thanked God and Our Lady with all her heart. For not only did this reawaken the faith in the people, but it naturally won for Petruccia her well-earned and long awaited support. Donations were made and resources were unlimited - as the project of her life was finally realized in the complete restoration of the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel.

But the reward for Petruccia’s fidelity continued. For not only had the holy picture arrived at the church in a miraculous way - but Our Lady showed to her children that She had blessed this image in a special way. For, starting the very day it arrived, miracles of all sorts began taking place because of the prayers offered up before this miraculous picture - which was henceforth named and known after the church in which it rested - Our Lady of Good Counsel.

To learn more about the amazing miracles received from this picture; the fascinating history of where it came from; how it dates back to the days of the Apostles; and just what happened to it when it got carried off in a cloud to Genazzano, be sure and read the book in the Monastery School’s library, entitled "The Virgin Mother of Good Counsel"