Vatican City:As the Jubilee of Hope draws to a close with the Christmas season, an image of Our Lady of Hope from southern Italy will accompany the faithful during Christmas liturgies celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in St Peter’s Basilica.
The wooden statue, coming from the parish of Saint Mark the Evangelist in San Marco di Castellabate, arrived at the Vatican on Monday. It will remain near the Altar of the Confession for all Christmas season celebrations and will return to its home parish after January 6, the feast of the Epiphany.
Our Lady of Hope is shown holding the Christ Child in her arms, while her right hand carries a golden anchor firmly set into the ground. The anchor is a symbol of hope and trust in God, especially during times of difficulty.
The image recalls another representation venerated at the Shrine of Saint Mary of Hope in Battipaglia, which was brought to the Vatican for the opening of the Jubilee in 2024. The current statue was crafted in 1954 by the Stuflesser Workshop to mark the Marian Year proclaimed by Pope Pius XII.
Before being placed permanently in the church, the statue was welcomed into local family homes, reflecting the strong bond between the people and the Virgin Mary. Recently restored for the Jubilee, the image was returned to its place at the start of the Holy Year.
Standing 1.45 metres tall, Our Lady of Hope is deeply loved by the 1,300 residents of San Marco, as well as by the many visitors who arrive during the summer months. Her feast is celebrated on the last Sunday of August and is the only Marian feast dedicated to Our Lady of Hope in the Diocese of Vallo della Lucania.
During the annual celebrations, a painted nineteenth century image of Mary is carried in procession, inspiring devotion and prayer. The procession reaches the port, where local fishermen entrust their lives and work to Mary’s protection.
Coming from the region between the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, the image also carries the voice of Italy’s inland communities, areas marked by depopulation, aging populations, and limited access to basic services.
The idea to bring Our Lady of Hope to the Vatican was first proposed by Fr Pasquale Gargione, then parish priest of Saint Mark the Evangelist, to shine a light on these often forgotten communities. Today, under the care of Fr Francesco Giordano, the parish continues this mission of hope.
As she stands in St Peter’s Basilica during Christmas, Our Lady of Hope becomes a sign of comfort and encouragement, especially for those who feel forgotten, reminding them that they are seen, loved, and never alone.