The picturesque city of Frascati, Italy, lays 15 miles from Rome. As the city is located on the Alban Hills, the citizens have a wide and beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.

While Frascati has been a source of white wine for centuries, one particular vineyard is of great historic interest. Long ago, an unknown artist expressed loving devotion to Our Lady and Her Child Jesus by painting their image on a small portion of the wall surrounding the said vineyard. It was a pleasant reminder of Her watchful presence, and those who passed by the wall often stopped for a short prayer. This wayside fresco adorned the vineyard’s wall for many years.

But everything changed in the year 1527. Due to political turmoil, Italy’s capital became under the siege of an angry imperial army. The soldiers and mercenaries considered themselves underpaid by the emperor and solved the problem by plundering Rome like vicious thieves.

18,000 infantrymen, 3,500 horsemen, and an unrecorded number of others caused Rome misery and destruction for two months. Unchallenged in their crime, the ruffians looked to the surrounding cities. It was not long before Frascati became a choice target to raid.

From the Alban hillsides, the people of Frascati could see the army of marauders approaching in the distance. The city officials hurriedly planned the best defense they could. The women with their children rushed to the churches, begging Our Lady’s protection.

As the soldiers neared, the terrifying sounds of their shouts and marching echoed across the countryside. They reached the border of the city, coming right up to the simple vineyard wall with its holy image. Suddenly, the men in the front lines stopped. To their amazement, and terror, the painted mouth of Our Lady opened, and a voice filled with power and authority commanded: "Indietro, fanti! Questa terra e mia!" "Back, soldiers! This land is mine!"

No one dared to incur Her wrath. In a state of soul-gripping fear and shock, the entire army fled, leaving Frascati untouched.

The people of Frascati were extremely grateful to the Mother of God for Her loving protection. At the city’s entrance, not far from where the fresco originally stood, they built a chapel, where the painting was enshrined with great veneration. This particular Madonna and Child has come to be known as Our Lady of Capocroce, who, over the following centuries, would continue to reward the love of her children - sheltering them with blessings and protection for many generations.