Amleto Cardinal Cicognani
National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
In Memoriam
Amleto Cardinal Cicognani
Apostolic delegate to the United States 1933-1958
Cardinal Secretary of State 1958-1973
Under Pope John XXIII - Paul VI
While serving as apostolic delegate to the United States Amleto Cardinal Cicognani frequently sought the beauty and spiritual solace of this historical sanctuary through private pilgrimages - often, with a bouquet of flowers to present to our Lady in thanksgiving.
His great devotion inspired a vision of the grotto accessible to the general public, prompting him to encourage Msgr. Hugh J. Philips, chaplain of the grotto, October 1958, to develop and enhance the entire grotto area and facilities.
From his office in Rome, as secretary of state, his eminence continued this interest by arranging for a rich grant of indulgences for shrine pilgrims. Pope Paul VI, instructed that the prayer, “O Mary, Virgin and Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me”, be added to the requirements for gaining the indulgences. In 1963, he approved the title of the grotto to be The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1965, Pope John Paul VI requested Lawrence Cardinal Shehan to designate the grotto a public oratory.
The devotion of Cardinal Cicognani to this shrine continued to his death in 1973.
Requiescat in Pace
Courtesy hmdb.org
