Our Lady of Mercy - Savona Italy

Our Lady of Mercy, Ash Wednesday, and Lenten Fasting | Mary’s Message with Fr. Perry Kenaston

Cristy Murray and Father Perry Kenaston welcome listeners to Mary’s Message: Leading Hearts to Jesus and open with a Prayer to Our Lady of Mercy. Father Perry highlights Ash Wednesday and encourages listeners to receive ashes at their local parish, noting a special Ash Wednesday episode is coming. 

The episode shares the history of Our Lady of Mercy in Savona, Italy, including the 1536 apparitions to farmer Antonio Botta, Mary’s request for three Saturdays of fasting and three processions, the spread of pilgrims, and the building of a shrine and church; it also mentions Pope Pius VII’s exile in Savona (1809–1812) and his later crowning of the statue in 1815, as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 visit. The conversation reflects on Mary’s mercy and maternal care, discusses fasting as a spiritual practice during Lent (including Church practice on Ash Wednesday, personal intentions, charity such as supporting food banks, and time in Eucharistic adoration), and references a past “Mary’s Mantle” devotion involving daily rosary, readings, and scheduled fasting. They close with a Marian prayer asking for forgiveness, help for the suffering, and intercession for the clergy and consecrated women, and invite listeners to subscribe, leave a review, share the episode, and check show notes for links and resources.

00:00 Welcome to Mary’s Message + Today’s Topic: Our Lady of Mercy
00:51 Ash Wednesday Is Coming: Ashes, Sackcloth & a Lenten Kickoff
01:59 Opening Prayer: Prayer to Our Lady of Mercy
03:01 Extra Resources: Chaplet of Our Lady of Mercy & St. Augustine Prayer
03:55 Apparition Story (1536): Our Lady of Mercy Appears in Savona, Italy
06:50 From Shrine to Popes: Feast Day, Pius VII’s Vow & Benedict XVI’s Visit
07:54 Lenten Season Setup + Alaska Small Talk & Upcoming Holy Week Plans
11:46 What’s Mary’s Message Here? Mercy, Compassion, and the Mantle Hug
15:38 Fasting & Processions: Why Mary Asked for It (and Why It Matters)
16:24 How to Fast for Lent: Practical Ideas, Charity, and Adoration Time
21:08 Mary’s Mantle Devotion: Group Fasting Plan & Inviting Listeners to Join
22:58 Podcast Updates, Tech Help, and Closing Prayer + Farewell

CLICK HERE TO GET THE Prayer TO Our Lady Of MERCY

https://sendfox.com/lp/mn472x

🎧 Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode to help Mary’s message reach more hearts.

Inform the Travel Company that you heard about the Pilgrimage from this podcast.  

Divine Mercy Pilgrimage Link - Poland November 2026

Subscribe to our YT Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@BlessedMarysMessages

JOIN our Mailing LIST to get updates and be part of our prayer community

https://sendfox.com/blessedmarymessages

Show Sponsors:

BlueVeil Wellness                                                               

Balance. Nourish. Thrive.

https://blueveilwellness.com

Fiat Wellness

Restoring Women's Wellness: Catholic Principles, Functional Approaches

https://fiatwellness.com

Transcript

Restream recording Feb 15, 2026 • 01:15:43 AM 0:02

Hello everyone and welcome to Mary's Message, leading Hearts to Jesus today. The podcast where we listen to the voice of the blessed mother and allow her to guide us ever closer to her son in our modern world. I'm Cristy Murray, along with Father Perry Kenaston, and each week we explore stories of faith, conversations with Catholic voices and practical spiritual tools to help you encounter Christ more deeply in a world longing for peace and clarity. Mary continues to speak to her children with love, hope, and a mother's gentle wisdom. Thank you for joining us as we open our hearts to Mary's message and let her lead us into the loving embrace of Jesus. Welcome Father Perry. Today we're talking about our Lady of Mercy. Would you like to start us in prayer? Ah, yes. So thanks Cristy. You know, guys, hey, guess what's coming up on Wednesday. Hey, Wednesday is gonna be, you get some ashes. Hey. I love that. Well, do I love that. I love to give out ashes to people. Most of the time I just use a bucket, but that's okay. No problem at all. Uh, you know, remember th it does and does shall return. That's the formula. Uh, the different parishes that I've had, uh, I've always shared it in a joking way that I've ordered sackcloth and ashes for every parishioner. And unfortunately what happens, the post office never happens that they deliver on time. And that's the case here too. Of course, I'm not in a parish right now, but anyway, you'll be sometime in Ash Wednesday. The, the times will be posted at your local parishes, so I would definitely strongly suggest that you, uh, go get some ashes. Now, as far as the s sat cloth goes, if, if the pastor comes in with s sat cloth wearing, I would be a sight to see you for sure. Uh, yes. A prayer. Prayer of our Lady of Mercy. Oh, almost Worshipful mother. You who opened Father Son of the Cross. Oh, I guess we should do that too. We're Catholic too. You know. Name of the father, the son. Holy, holy, holy Spirit. Amen. All almost merciful. Got mother. You who open your heart to all our Sih refuge. Wrap us in your mantle of your compassion. When our burdens feel too heavy, be our comfort and strength. Guide us gently toward our son that we may find mercy in his mercy and courage in his love. Teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven to serve. As we have been served, and to love. Without measure. Our Lady of Mercy intercede for us and our needs. Protect us in our trials and lead us always. Towards the light of hope, your son Jesus. Amen. Now, here's a, here's another, a couple of little things that I'm gonna throw out here because it's so important for us to, uh, to do this. The chaplain of our Lady of Mercy says, I'm not gonna, I'll just share some with you and if there's a, I don't know how to do this, but it would be really nice if this is all included in the podcast. I'm not quite sure how, how that worked and everything else. But there's a chaplain of Our Lady of Mercy that there's a beginning and it's said and it totally outlined and everything else. And there's another Prayer of Mercy done by St. Augustine of Hippo and um. Okay. That's on there too. So, uh, we'll, uh, we'll go from there. Okay. But the, um, so let's, let's begin with a little short. The first Our Lady of Mercy see Italy 1536. The first appeared to Antonio Poto and basically the, uh, the research. In this decorated church in Savona owns its origin to an elderly farmer named Antonio Boto, who witnessed the apparition of the Queen of Heaven on March 18th, 1536. The farmer described the Virgin Mary as being dressed in white and surrounded by dazzling light. The vision stood on a large rock overlooking a stream near the river. The team bro, as he knelt reverently before the vision, the blessed virgin directed Antonio to his confessor with request that three Saturdays of fasting be observed and the three processions be honored in honor of our of God and the mother of Jesus. The apparition then asked. The farmer to return to the same place on the fourth Saturday to receive another message meant for Kira and the people of Savona, obeying the words of the Madonna. Antonio went immediately to inform the local priest, Monsignor Barth name, who had then shared the message with the bishop of the diocese, although they were. Receptive of the request of the bandana based on the certainty and humility of the farm farmer. The majority of the area. Za Doria was not. He promptly summoned the farmer to the castle for questioning and the circumstances of the same vision. Legend tells that during Antonio's interrogation, some fishermen of off the coast of Savona. Saw three flames that rose high in the sky above the cathedral and the castle. The second operation took place April 18th, 1536, and news of the operation spread quickly and was such an increase. The number of pilgrims that a committee was formed to organize the influx, the large sums of money offered by the pilgrims. Resulted in the building of a place of worship. A chaplain at the site of Apparition was authorized by Bishop Chambers on April 21st, 1536. The new project was approved by the Council of Savona and the Cardinal Ho Raz was on July 24th by August 11th. The same year the construction of the new church was began four years after the operation. The local community of Savona Decreed that March 18th will be observed as an annual festival with a voting procession in the shrine Savons hospitality to Pope Pius II SI is known of for offers offering hospitality to Pope Pius ii, who was exiled there by. Order of Napoleon in the year 1809 and held there until 1812. During those years, he vowed that if he was released, he would crown the statue of our Lady of Mercy. The promise was kept where the PLA napole placed a rail diamond, a statue on May 10th, 1815. More recently. The church and our lady were, were honored by the Pope visit of Pope Benedict the 16th who went through the pilgrimage on May 15th, 2008. So that's our history. And as always, you know, she doesn't surprise me at all. She takes care of the little people, and that's what we need to do. And I, what a wonderful way to, to start. Uh. Beginning of letting and everything else. And just to let you know, I'm not quite sure how this is gonna work, but we're gonna have a special, uh, presentation and everything else about Ash Wednesday, so coming up. So just, just let it go from there. I, I don't know where you are, how you're living or anything else like that, but, uh, I look out the window here and there's some guy in a. Oh, dressed up and everything else. And he is driving a bicycle. Now that can only happen in Alaska at 500,000 degrees below zero. I mean, that's, that's an exaggeration. Of course, it's, it's probably about 35 degrees today. So we, that's it. Let me see. It's, um, short sleeve weather for us here in Alaska. For some of you who are south of us, we, uh, that's probably cold. Well, what's the Google say? 29 degrees. Oh, there you go. Yeah, it's kind of hazy and it's a little bit snowy, but the snow is, it's kind of warm outside actually. Yeah, well see. That's Alaska for you, sure's. Good weather dog walking time. Yeah, dogs. The dogs have sweaters too. Yeah, they also have little pie things. Yeah. That, that they, that they were, some of the owners were, of course the owners were too. I mean, not, not that, let me get that straight. Don't wear the dogs' books. Okay. They have their own little glos and everything else. Yeah. Don't wanna make sure that we understand each other because, and one day, my friends, one day we're gonna go live. Hey. And that'll be a trick. But anyway. We'll, well, we are live, we're just live through YouTube right now. Oh, we are, oh yeah. Let me comb my hair again. Hey, I just got another haircut, guys, and that's what happened. I said number one, and they did that. They did a minus zero. No, I'm only two, but that's me. Okay. Uh, I like to have fun and we just, uh, we're just doing this here someday. Someday. What might happen here is that during Holy Week, of course we'll have our presentations, uh, like holy Thursday, good Friday. Mm-hmm. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. 'cause they'll, it'll be all out outline. But for right now, I've got a, it's all prepared and everything else, all I have to do is kick it into the computer here and, uh, we'll do the history. Our first one will be the history. Of Ash Wednesday and it's all outlined in Inform and everything else. And as a, you know, it says the chaplain of Our Lady of Mercy, and I don't know if we can snapshot this or however and put it on the, the podcast. I have no idea how that's been done or Yeah, I can make a link. Um, I can make a link where people can access it, so. Okay. And I'll put the link on, um, the show notes. Hmm. So that's, that's it. I talked to a friend today and, uh, confirmed that they're receiving the podcast. So that's it. And I, I sent out, oh, it must have been, well, I've got through my, through my podcasting thing here, I've got over 300 contacts that I sent out to, so, all right. Very good. Well, then it would be nice to be able to. Well, we can talk offline on this stuff because I do have some questions though about her appearance. So this time, so we've had some, um, episodes where, you know, she appeared to fishermen, um, now farmer, Antonio Boda is a farmer. And what, what's the main message for this apparition that she was trying to convey? Well, I, I think basically she's just trying to teach you, you know, he's another humble guy. Mm-hmm. You know, and he says, you know, just our many of mercy. And that's, that's essentially right there. I gee, you know, uh, in her prayer it says, it says, basically that's our message right there. Wrap us around the mantle of your compassion. Can you imagine that? My friends? Oh, mama. Coming down and just wrapping her, her mantle around you, and as you're saying the prayers and everything else, when you say the rosary, why just, just ask Mama. You know, if you're having a problem or something like that, just ask Mama Mary to give you a hug. Because that's what all this is. That's what this is all about. I mean, it says right there, teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven to serve. As we have been served and to love without measure. If Mama can love us just like we are, why can't we love everybody else? It's the same way. I think that's good. Gee, you know, if you really enter into mama, I, I got a, oh, she, she goes to Catholic University and I, every time she comes up on from school and everything else, we see each other. And I sent it to her to the other day and she said, oh, father, you know how to hurt. You know how to hurt. Hit my heart. I love, I love Mama marries. And I love her intentions and everything else like that. So see, it's out there. All we gotta do is, is be simple enough like she was, and be that, be the humble, you know, she remember what it says. They went to the, you know, they went to the priest and they went to the bishop, uh, and then they had some doubts, but then some fishermen outside there who were fishing and they saw that. A miracle that took place and that that set it up right there. How can I, you know, you asked me the question. The only question is, is she wants to, to have her kids come to her and say, mama, I need some help. Mm-hmm. Help me today. You know, I'm sure the farmer had something to, you know, had some problems with everything else like that. I'm sure the hotel had problems. Yeah. But as we begin our season event and Ash Wednesday. Alls I have to do is, you know, there's a simple prayer out there. It says, Lord, I give you permission to do some spring cleaning for me and spiritually, and that's it. Now you know there is spraying, cleaning, there's a spiritual type, and my friends, I don't want to burst your bubble. Because you may, you may think I'm bursting your bubble here, but you know what the garage is for. Huh? Now what are you gonna say? Uh, well, the, the thing I'm gonna say is that the garage is for, for the two cars that you got. It's not all that special stuff that you have inside it. Good luck with the spring cleaning in the worldly world. See how much stuff you can get rid of. But that's it. So yes ma'am for this one too. Then didn't she request three Saturdays of fasting and processions? Yeah, that's she and they, and they did that, you know, and that's, you know, there's, that's why there's a, the first Saturdays, you know, on Friday and the first, and the first Fridays, and then the first Saturdays are on Saturday. Saturday. She just, she wants, you know, I'm fascinating. Is. It is a good thing. Not only is it in scripture, in the Bible, but it's also healthy. Mm-hmm. It's also healthy for you too. It isn't, it doesn't take too much to go without a meal, you know? I mean, all I gotta do is look in the mirror and I know that so. Oh yeah, that. Well, we won't go there. This is supposed to, this is, well, like for fasting. So I wanna talk about fasting. Um, I know there's different types, right? So like, and you always offer it up. You, you always do something with intention. I correct. So like, I know some people they fast for a whole day, two days, three days. Um, like what would be an acceptable type of fasting? Well, if I remember correctly, I. I think I put out something or thereabouts and it says that the Catholic church, uh, if you're under the age of X number of years, you gotta fast. But then after you get more mature, like some of us, uh hmm it doesn't make too much difference. But a fast is between you and Jesus, you know, and say, Hey Lord, what am I gonna supposed to be doing today? Can I give up that extra piece of chocolate? Why you, come on guys, you don't need the chocolate anyway. But that's, that's all part of it, huh? But this, you know, pick something, pick something that you know that, that you really don't need, or, or like what we do, it's, um, the church that I'm associated with, it's amazing the people that during lent time, it's amazing the amount of canned goods and other goods that are collected for the different organizations that are here locally. And it doesn't, you know, you have. You have your main meal sometime? Um, generally in the afternoon, sometimes, well, we're around, it works out for you and your schedule, but people, you know, you don't have to, like on Wednesday supposed to have this one, uh, Ash Wednesday, you're supposed to have just one main meal, you know, and then the rest of it is, you just have little bites, I guess, or something like that. But. But fasting is, is, is a thing, you know, and well, and there's, and if you really, you know, if you really wanna understand, what you gotta do is say, Lord, what do you want me to do for fasting? So I can experience, you know, something a little bit closer to you. 'cause it's not gonna hurt any of us, my friends. It's not gonna hurt any of us to go without a meal or a smaller meal. I can almost guarantee you that one because, um, so, because Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert and that made him spiritually stronger. Yeah. Well, 40 days is, is like, is a, is a symbol, meaning a long time. Mm-hmm. And it's like the, you know, the number seven is, is a universal number. Uh, uh, 40 days is meant for. For us as an illustration. And it, it's true that it did, but it's, it's meant for, for us all to, 'cause there's a few, if you use the, uh, the Bible and look through, just look up or even if you wanna go Catholic answers. Dot com, they'll explain to you exactly what the, the numbering of 40 days is. Mm-hmm. As far as that goes. But 40 days may seem a long time, but at the same time, what are you fasting for the poor of the world? There's a lot of that. There's a lot, there's a lot of it right here in Anchorage. And you know, if you save up, say you're gonna have a can of soup for lunch, well put it aside. And then at the end of the, then when the right time comes, uh, give it to the food bank or something. Mm-hmm. That's what, that's what fasting is. All. Sure. There's a physical fasting, uh, spiritually, you know, it just, it just helps to say your prayers. Make a make a point of if you have 24, adoration would like St. St. Elizabeth Seton does. We have 24 7, 365. So spend some time with those guys. They like to hear from you. Oh my God. Hi daddy. Hi mama. How ya doing today? Mm-hmm. Oh my son, my daughter. It's so nice. It's so nice to hear your voice. Thank you for coming. And then all you have to do is sit there and turn off your mind. Let Jesus talk to you because how can he talk to you, my friends? Oh, how can he talk to you if you're, if he's got a busy signal all the time. Why don't you, why don't you just sit, sit there and shut up. Oh, thanks. Have to edit that one, but that's okay. So, 'cause I remember Father last year I did the Mary's Mantle, um, consecration to Mary's Mantle, and that was like 48 days mm-hmm. Of, of Nina. So there's 48 of us. Well, no, it's be, it'll be good if there's 48 people, but I think on that group. There was like 20 something people that signed up. So how that works is that every, you know, every day one person's supposed to fast for the intentions of what we're praying for, for the Nina. Mm-hmm. And then your daily rosary. And then there's a reading. And then new Saturday we talk about our, our Lady and devotion to her Mary's mantle. Um, but it was great 'cause that was the first time that I actually fasted for a whole day. Okay. And then there was one time that was assigned to me. I, it was my adoration time or I think I signed up for an extra adoration. It was, it was great 'cause I was getting weak and dizzy, and then I was in adoration at 10 o'clock at night. So I felt that was like, really, um, it was designed for me to take that day and fast that day and then end up in adoration. Is there a, is there a plan like that for Lent? I have not organized another one. Maybe that's one. Uh, I I can put one together soon for Lent. That would be great. Well, we've got, you've got a, don't you have a master list? I do, yeah. I can email. Well, there you go. And then, yeah. And I can, um, for this podcast too, so anyone who wants to join, um, yeah, just let us know and we can, we can include you when we start this devotion again. Yeah, because, 'cause even the little guy could be there. Cool. You know. Just to kind of be there and say, Hey, Elizabeth, you're gonna, you're gonna start praying now, or do I have to give you the sackcloth? Yeah, let's do that. Okay. All right. We'll include it on the, on the site page that I need to work on. Um, but yeah, so everyone is also welcome to leave us review and send us a message. Um, so yeah. Yeah, let us know if you're getting, I've got my. My sheet here, and I'm, I'm hoping that it goes through because I didn't get any rejections, so I spent a whole day of the, with all my names and everything else, putting it, putting in the podcast out. So, um, we'll go from there. And I, but I've got something to ask on another quest. But, but anyway. Yeah. Uh, let us know if you're receiving the podcast. Okay. Because we're gonna, we're gonna. I try to do something with that and everything else, so, all right. That's, that's not, that's not, I'm not smart enough to do that. 'cause my, my other person is, so, I'm, I'm, I'm, uh, calling right along. I pray to, um, St. Carlo cutest for all the tech stuff that I have to do. All right, well, um, let's you wanna say our closing prayer before I say goodbye to everyone? Sure. Let's, let's do this one here. I can't, can't go wrong with this one. The name of the father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed Virgin Mary who can worthily repay you with, with praise. And thanks for having rescue to fallen world by your generous consent. Receive our gratitude and by your prayers, obtain the pardon our sin. Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven and enable them to make our peace for with God. Holy Mary, help the miserable, strengthen the discourage, comfort the sorrowful. Pray for your people. Plead for the clergy, intercede for all women who consecrated to God may all who venerate you. Feel now your health and protection be ready to help us. When we pray and bring back to us the answers of our prayers, may a continuing concern to pray for the people of God. If you were, if you were blessed by God and by worthy to bear the redeemer of the world, who is the reigns forever. Amen. Amen. Should the Lord be with you. Amen. God bless us, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. God bless. Take care, and enjoy. All right, well, thank you for joining us today on, um, Mary's message, leading hearts to Jesus. If this conversation brought you closer to Jesus, I invite you to subscribe. Leave us a five star review. And change this. Share this episode with someone who needs a little hope. And every time you do, you help Mary's message Reach more hearts for links and resources and ways to stay connected. Be sure to check the show notes below. And until next time, may Mary's message echo in your heart and lead you ever closer to the loving embrace of Christ. Now remember on Wednesday we will have a special episode for um, Ash Wednesday. All right, we'll see you guys then.