Recovered in the seabed about twelve miles from the coast, the Madonnina who holds and protects the renowned dry of Amendolara and the whole country, identified by Homer with the island of Ogigia, where Calipso retained Ulysses according to the Odyssey and where the same stayed for seven years, is recognized among the distinctive identity markers of extraordinary Calabria. For thirty years, every decade has been renewed the traditional ritual of recovery and subsequent laying on the seabed of the dry of the Virgin of Health. The expected appointment, inserted in the rich and varied summer billboard promoted by the municipal administration led by the mayor Maria Rita Acciardi, saw the presence of many faithful, residents and tourists, who found themselves at the “San Francesco” pier to welcome the bust of Mary and tighten around it for a moment of prayer led by the parish priest of the Parish of the Navy, Don Nicola Mobilio. Satisfaction with the extraordinary participation in the event was expressed by the director of the “Secca di Amendolara” Marine Park, set up on the proposal of the regional councilor Pasqualina Straface, Antonello Ciminelli, who promoted the initiative together with the Ogcia Diving Center, responsible for the material recovery of the statue thanks to its experts and technicians led by Pino Golia. The lawyer Ciminelli thanked Raffaele Greco, general manager of the regional marine parks of Calabria, for granting authorization to carry out the day. “It is a gesture of love and total entrustment to the Madonna by the Amendolarese community that we shared all together,” said the first citizen Acciardi. The restoration of the sacred simulacrum will be entrusted to some local craftsmen specialized in ceramic. The Madonnina can be venerated today on the city beach, and then be taken by sea to Roseto Capo Spulico next Wednesday and Trebisacce on the following Sunday. After being carefully cleaned, on August 20 it will be repositioned at sea.
John
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