Sanctuary of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Minor basilica in Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, Italy
The Sanctuary of Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is a basilica in Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia comprising two churches and a Passionist monastery. The older church dates from the early twentieth century, while the larger concrete structure from the seventies holds up to six thousand worshippers.
A Franciscan convent stood here from the thirteenth century until Napoleon dissolved the religious orders. The Passionists took over the site in the mid-nineteenth century and developed it into a pilgrimage destination.
The site takes its name from a young saint who lived here as a religious brother and died at age twenty-four. His tomb rests inside the older church building and draws visitors who leave written prayers or light a candle.
The complex sits at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif and can be reached by mountain road from Teramo or L'Aquila. The modern church is wheelchair accessible and offers ample space even on crowded days such as religious holidays or pilgrimage dates.
The large organ was built in Germany and shipped to Italy in more than three thousand separate parts. Each pipe was individually numbered and reassembled on site, with installation taking several months.
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