Castel di Leva is what remains of an old Italian castle just outside Rome. Near these ruins is a church built to enshrine a miraculous image of the Madonna and Child. The painting, entitled "Mother of Divine Love", was originally kept on a wall of the ruins, seen only by shepherds who would pray the Rosary before it while tending to their flocks. For nearly two hundred years, the painting on the crumbling wall, unknown by most.

In 1740, a pilgrim journeying to Rome suddenly came across a pack of angry sheepdogs. The ferocious animals charged out from behind some bushes and came rushing right at him! The poor man ran for his life as fast as he could but the dogs were quickly gaining on him. He caught sight of the painting of Mary, and called to Her to help him. In an instant, the furious animals were restrained, and calmed. They walked away as if nothing had happened, leaving the astonished and grateful man in peace.

He spread the word of Mary’s miraculous intervention through the painting. It wasn’t long before many people came to pray at that dilapidated castle. A historian, alive at the time, recorded that "Night and day pilgrims come continuously and receive much grace."

Eventually, a church was built on the spot, and people continued to come and pray before the miraculous image.

Perhaps one of the most astounding records of the intercession of the "Mother of Divine Love" occurred in 1935. 3,000 soldiers were preparing to fight in the Ethiopian war. They had the wisdom and grace to come to Castel di Leva and pray for Mary’s protection. Despite the dangers and horrors they faced in battle, every one of those 3,000 men returned home safely.