A large crowd gathered in Sassari yesterday for the fulfillment of the vow to Our Lady of Grace. Thousands of people attended the solemn pontifical mass, presided over in the Cathedral of San Nicola by the Archbishop of Sassari, Monsignor Francesco Antonio Soddu , and along the procession route. The procession brought the statue of the Blessed Virgin back to the sanctuary of San Pietro in Silki, where it has been kept for centuries . Its discovery dates back to the 14th century, while the first request for intercession, formulated by then-Archbishop Arcangelo Mazzotti, dates back to 1943. He asked the Mother of Jesus to spare Sassari from the bombings of World War II.

Today the appeal, as recalled by Soddu at the Duomo, concerns peace , even personal peace, and keeping evil at bay, points also underlined upon arrival in front of the sanctuary.

The high prelate addressed Mary directly, making a specific petition. "I want to commend to you every single child of this land," he said, "especially the young people. And may this shrine become for them a driving force for good choices." The archbishop's speech also touched on the paths he had recently traveled, where, he said, "Mary has gathered our intentions."

In conclusion, the prayer of the fulfillment of the Vow, read by all those present, who crowded every space up to Via delle Croci.

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