| The devotion for St. Mauro is widespread in Europe and especially in Abruzzo. He was a monk and disciple of St.Benedetto and he became very well known even in his youth thanks to his miraculous recoveries. The most well known worship centre in Abruzzo is the Sanctuary of Bomba. The primitive church was built in the 12th century and was situated in the middle of the village. It was the destination of many pilgrims coming from Abruzzo and other regions. In 1954 Bomba´s people started to build the current church funded by offerings, which was opened in 1963. The project was made by the Architect Dr. Alessio Mancini of Rome (whose wife is native of Bomba). It is in a modern Gothic-Roman style and it is an aisleless church. The inside is characterized by a thin decoration of golden plasters and in the middle of the vault there is a reproduction of the Annunciation Day by the painter Reni, made by the Bravo brothers from Atessa. The arch of the entrance is characterized by a mosaic (made by Favet firm) representing St. Mauro together with the frail. The temple is enriched by a beautiful arcade, built with red bricks. Beside this new church there is a beautiful bell tower also made with red bricks, where one can see the little bell of St. Mauro. There is also a pilgrim’s room with all the votive offerings and the souvenirs. There are two statues of the Saint. The first one of 17th century is made in polychromatic terracotta, it is always preserved in the niche of the high altar of the sanctuary and it is never taken away from the church due to it being very brittle. The other wooden statue is preserved in the parish church and it is used for processions. St. Mauro is invoked as the protector against all pain; in particular, people suffering from rheumatic and arthritic pains and also toothache adore him. As a remedy for rheumatic and arthritic pains, the believers use blessed oil that they find inside an ancient stone. They dip their fingers in this oil and make the sign of the cross. At last they massage the painful parts of their body and it is also possible to take away this oil; in fact it is put into many little bottles. For toothache, believers normally grasp a rope with their mouth tied up to an ancient little bell (called the little bell of St. Mauro) and ring it. You may discredit such practices as mediaeval, superstitious beliefs; it could be so, however, it is sure that believers encouraged by the great faith, receive the hoped consolation. All this is proved by the many votive offerings in the pilgrim´s room. |