Our Lady of Bonaria Church

May 18, 2014

On March 25, 1370, a ship coming from Spain was traveling towards Italy when it was seized by a terrible storm that put the lives of the crew and passengers at risk. The captain, in a last attempt to save the crew of the ship, ordered the sailors to cast into the sea the ship's cargo. This was done but without any aid to the sailors.

There was a large crate within the ship’s cargo - this was cast into the sea last of all the cargo. Suddenly, upon the crate entering the water, the storm ceased. The ship, attempting to regain the cargo, followed the crate for some time. Unable to retrieve it, the ship returned to its original route. The crate, however ran aground on the beach at the foot of the hill of Bonaria.

Many people were on the beach when the crate arrived and rushed to see what it was. They tried to open it, but no one succeeded. They tried to lift it, but every attempt was in vain - the box was too heavy. Suddenly a child cried out: “Call for one of the Mercedarian Friars!” The friars came in haste, and without any difficulty, raised the heavy crate and carried it into their church.

In silence and piety, the friars opened the crate, and along with everyone there, saw the contents. In that crate was a marvelous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Child in her arms and, in her right hand, a lighted candle.

 

We think it might be because Michael always wears his name tag that says "Presidente" on it, because almost everywhere we go somebody looks at it and thinks he must be important and we always get unexpected private tours.  This time we were just hoping to take a peek inside the church because it's never been open when we drove by it on previous trips.  We wound up getting an hour long private tour.

The Church of Our Lady of Bonaria has an interesting history.  It is located next to the port in Cagliari.  When the people opened the wooden box that washed up on shore in 1370, it contained a statue of the Madonna and Child.  The Child was in the left arm and the right hand was holding a lighted candle, but the box never caught on fire.  The flame from that candle has burned continually since that time--except for the two times it went out.  That is the first miracle of the church.  The second miracle is that three mummies were found sealed up inside the walls of the original church while they were doing some expansion.

Since the church is located next to the sea, many sailors have gone there to worship.  Many sailors who built replicas of the ships they sailed on have donated them to the church and there is a large room displaying some of the models.  Even more are in the private collection in the church museum.

Little wooden ship hangs from ceiling and works like a weather vane to tell which way the wind is blowing.

Diagram of box holding Madonna and Child

Remains of wooden box holding Madonna and Child

Clothing worn by Pope.  Whenever a Pope visits a church, new clothing is made for him to wear.  Afterwards it is donated to the church.

Clothing worn by Pope

Model ships in museum

Old cistern inside church

Model ships that were in museum because they were very special.

Mummies that were found inside church.  Bottom shelf - servant, middle shelf - master, top shelf - wife and child

Shelves where mummies were originally found.