Madonna delle Lacrime Sanctuary

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears: A Legacy of Faith and Miracles

The Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears) and its adjacent Franciscan monastery stand as a peaceful sentinel in Dongo, near the banks of the Albano stream. The site’s storied history began in the 16th century when it was home to a simple roadside shrine. This shrine held a fresco of the Virgin and Child, then known as the Madonna of the River. Everything changed in September 1553 when a miracle was witnessed: the Madonna began to weep. The townspeople gathered the sacred tears in a chalice, and within days, they expanded the shrine to shelter the image, forever after honoring her as the Madonna of Tears.

The Franciscan Monastery

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the church grew in both size and beauty. Artists like Caresana and Gabasio adorned the interior with vibrant frescoes, and in 1607, work began on the Franciscan monastery. This project was a true labor of love for the people of Dongo; ironically, it was eventually completed in 1619 with financial support from the Benedictine monks of Domaso, who had initially opposed its construction. In 1627, the church was officially consecrated as Maria Nascente by Bishop Lazzaro Carafino. Over the years, the sanctuary was further enriched by a series of striking, life-size sculptures crafted by Brother Diego Giurati and Brother Giovanni da Reggio.

The Sanctuary of Dongo: a place of worship and pilgrimage

The monastery’s survival is a testament to the town's devotion. Though it was suppressed and the monks were forced to flee during the waves of Austrian and French occupation, the Franciscans were able to return in 1871 thanks to the influential Manzi family. In 1936, the estate was formally donated to the Lombardy Order of Franciscans by its final heir, Giuseppina Manzi. For over four hundred years, this sanctuary has remained a profound site of pilgrimage and prayer, meticulously cared for by the Franciscan brothers to this day.