The second stop in the Places of the Spirit series takes you to the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Urbino and offers an original and fascinating idea for April 25!
This Sanctuary stands in Ca’ Stoccolo (Urbino) and has a long and beautiful history, at the center of which is Father Elia Bellebono, apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In October 1969, in fact, Jesus appeared to Father Elia and entrusted him with the mission of having a Sanctuary erected to his Sacred Heart. From that day on, the construction of the Sanctuary became Father Elia's mission within his mission: the Sanctuary's foundation stone was laid on October 18, 1998, and on September 3, 2021, the Sanctuary was finally consecrated and dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Sanctuary's architecture: the embrace of the Sacred Heart
The Sanctuary's architecture is truly fascinating and captivates anyone who approaches this place so full of spirituality. It rises on a green and golden plain, and its elliptical shape is so enveloping that it resembles an embrace the Lord is ready to offer to anyone who seeks him with a sincere heart. This architecture interprets, with artistic and spiritual distinction, the design of Jesus' merciful love: the Lord's embrace lives in those spirals that close in on themselves, while at the same time suggesting that they open up to every pilgrim who wishes to visit the Sanctuary and every faithful person who wishes to be reconciled with the Lord through the sacrament of Reconciliation, so dear to Father Elia.
The Sanctuary's design is signed by two important names in the contemporary art world: Yasuo Watanabe and Walter Valentini, together with Interstudio of Pesaro. These artists lend their service and art to this truly monumental and meaningful work.
The imposing and richly decorated bronze portal symbolizes the gate of heaven.
The bell tower rises toward the sky; at its top is a sphere, symbolizing the world, surmounted by the cross of Christ: that symbol of death and resurrection pierces the world from pole to pole.
The majestic and imposing façade bears, in relief, the prayer recommended by Father Elia Bellebono to invoke the Heart of Jesus, to the right of the door:
Heart of Jesus, you know.
Heart of Jesus, you can.
Heart of Jesus, you see.
Heart of Jesus, provide.
Heart of Jesus, grant.
Heart of Jesus, we believe in your love for us.
Heart of Jesus, take care of it.
Every pilgrim receives these words at the entrance, and thanks to them, every faithful person is introduced to prayer and meditation.
Inside the Sanctuary, visitors are immersed in a world fragrant with God: its circular layout envelops them, placing them immediately in the Heart of Jesus.
The Sanctuary’s semicircle is immense, just as the Lord’s mercy is immense.
The white columns crown the whole structure.
Amid the surrounding whiteness, the setting of the famous painting of Jesus stands out. It is the work of the Egyptian artist Adel El Masry and is placed above the main altar at the back, clearly visible to everyone. The painter created this image after hearing Elia’s account of his vision of Christ, which took place on January 7, 1973, in the church of Villadossola. It is the painting that Elia kept until his death in the cell of the hermitage of Monte Giove, in Fano. Small in size, but immense in its beauty and message: the immense Heart of Christ, which gives itself to every person, bleeds with love. The frame of purest gold radiates the light coming from the lunette above: it looks like a jewel set in a ring. It is a precious diadem that, with its beauty, illuminates the entire Sanctuary. Thus, one of the wishes that Jesus entrusted to Father Elia Bellebono is fulfilled: «You will have a painting of the Sacred Heart made, as you see me; you will provide all the instructions. As long as you are here, you may keep it, but it is destined to be brought to Urbino because there I want a Sanctuary dedicated to My Love».
Contacts and addresses
Via Ca’ Staccolo, 5
61029 Urbino (PU)
phone: 0722 32 26 98
How to get there the Sanctuary
Hours
Monday to Saturday
Holy Rosary: 5:00 PM
Holy Mass: 5:30 PM
Sunday
Holy Rosary: 5:00 PM
Holy Mass: 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
(For confessions, arrive half an hour before Mass)
1o Friday of the month
Adoration: 8:00 PM
Holy Rosary: 8:30 PM
Holy Mass: 9:00 PM
The new publication Father Elia – Living with the Heart of Jesus will be available in a few days.
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