The small city of Rho, Italy, housed in its church a painting depicting Our Lady of Sorrows with the Body of Her dead Son on Her lap. It was affectionately termed "l’Addolorata" ("the Griever") by those who visited this church. This ancient image was renowned as miraculous going back at least as far as the 16th century, while St. Charles Borromeo was archbishop. In the midst of his many responsibilities, the saint journeyed to Rho in 1570, to pray before the revered painting.

Even after the painting’s long history as an instrument of Our Lady’s graces, the most notable miracle was yet to come.

On April 24, 1583, two peasant farmers, Gerolamo De Ferri and Alessandro Ghioldi, knelt in prayer before the familiar image. As they’d done many times before, the good men reverently beheld the grieving Mother and Her Divine Son. But this time, a detail caught their eye - something they had never seen before…

To their surprise, the painted eyes looked swollen, as though the Madonna in the picture had just been weeping. It was a marked change from the revered image they knew so well. The two men got up and took a closer look. Perhaps they’d been mistaken at a distance?

But an even more stunning change awaited them. When they reached the painting, the eyes were not only swollen, but actually shedding tears - of blood.

Cut to the heart at the tragic sight, the farmers called out to others in the church, calling them to witness the soul-stirring miracle.

A man, unnamed in historical accounts, came forward with some doubt as to the miracle. With a linen handkerchief, he wiped away some of the tears. He thought the supposed blood might really be red paint, melted in the heat and thus dripping down the rest of the image. However, close examinations of the stained handkerchief only confirmed that it was actual blood.

News of the Madonna’s tears spread quickly, and the church was filled with parishioners eager to see the miracle for themselves. Word of this miracle spread to surrounding areas, and quickly reached the saintly archbishop, Charles Borromeo.

The saint quickly sent trusted representatives to verify the truth of the incredible story. The investigation was led by Carlo Bascape, who worked in Rho for three weeks, during which time depositions from 40 witnesses were carefully recorded. Bascape reported his findings to St. Charles, and the latter mailed the depositions to Rome.

Rome sent a speedy response, and St. Charles promptly went to Rho, to the church that had been filled to capacity. There, he was deeply pleased to make the announcement himself. The miracle had been officially declared authentic. Having shared the wonderful news, the archbishop humbly knelt in prayer before the image. Then he rose, and turned to his people, promising to build a basilica worthy of the Blessed Virgin and Her miraculous image. If She had chosen to show this sign of grief, it was to inspire Her loving children to make reparation for Her sorrows.

Almost a year later, on March 4, 1584, St. Charles laid the first stone for the new basilica. But he did not live to see its completion. Just eight months later, St. Charles Borromeo passed away. And though the people grieved this loss, they continued the work, confident that their beloved archbishop was with the loving Madonna in Heaven.

In time, the beautiful basilica was complete. On the 300th anniversary of the saint’s death, a large statue of the saint was placed in the square. It is made of bronze, and faces the magnificent structure which the saint had arranged to be constructed in the Madonna’s honor.

The miraculous painting itself is situated above the main altar, the honored centerpiece of the beautifully decorated basilica. Also within those walls is a depiction of St. Charles in prayer before the holy image. One of the large side chapels is dedicated to him.

The basilica is under the care of the Oblate Missionaries of Rho, known in Italian as Missionari dell’Addolorata, the Missionaries of the Griever.

The linen handkerchief, still stained with Our Lady’s tears of blood, is kept behind a crystal oval. This is stored in a large silver reliquary, in a safe designed like a tabernacle.

The people of Rho hold grand ceremonies every year on April 24th to celebrate the anniversary of the day Our Lady touched their hearts with the amazing miracle. Moved by Her incredible grief, the people remember with solemn devotion every September 15th, the feast of the Sorrowful Mother: the day that reminds us all how much acts of love and prayer are needed to dry the eyes of our Heavenly Mother, who weeps such bitter tears for sinners.