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The Crypt
The Crypt was inaugurated on 28 August 1968. It is
circular in form and has an external diameter of 80
meters an internal of 38 meters and a height of 9
meters. It has 18 entrances and can seat 3,000
people.
The central altar is constructed over a rose granite
flooring. The presbytery with its semicircular form
indicates welcoming. The image of Our Lady of Tears
was at this altar from 1968 to 1987 and from 1
May1994 to November 4, 1994.
In the Crypt are found various chapels.
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One of these chapels is adapted for the celebration
of the sacrament of Reconciliation; another has a
permanent Nativity scene with clay sculptures from
Caltagirone of various epochs; another is a "Museum
of Liturgical Vestments."
The other eight chapels are enriched with icons in
mosaic dedicated respectively to: the Holy Family,
to St. Lucy, to St. Agatha, to St. Conrad, to St.
Francis of Assisi (The Mellini Artistic Institute of
Florence); to the Crucifix ("Arte Musiva" of Milan);
to SS. Peter and Paul and to The Sacred Heart of
Jesus (The Fra’ Angelico School of Milan).
In the Crypt is also conserved the "Christ of the
Light," work of the artist Francesco Scialfa of
Catania; the painting of the Madonna with the Child
Jesus, St Elizabeth and St John, and St Joseph and
St Joachim by and unknown artist of the 18th Century;
the painting of the Most Holy Trinity and the souls
in Purgatory by an unknown artist of the 19th
Century; and eight artistic paintings inaugurated in
2003 on the life of Our Lady by the artist Austin
Camilleri, from Goza-Malta: the Annunciation , the
Visitation, the Nativity, the Flight into Egypt, the
Wedding at Cana, the Pietà, Pentecost and the
Assumption.
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The Chapel of the Sacred Heart
This is the Chapel in which the Blessed Sacrament is
kept. The figures represented here are not well
defined, and all is hazy, because it is not to be
the images that sustain the prayer of the faithful,
but instead it is the Tabernacle (in a golden color
and diamond shaped) containing the presence of Jesus
in the Eucharist.
In the
mosaic is represented the apparition of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus (the figure standing) to St. Margaret
Alacoque, (the figure kneeling). Jesus shows his
heart, symbol of his love. All is wrapped in a
vortex of color beginning from the Tabernacle: the
love of Jesus in the Eucharist attracts, as in a
vortex, all to himself. |
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The Chapel of
SS. Peter
and Paul
In this
Chapel, in which are represented the two supporting
columns of the Church, there is present an
iconostasis. Here are held the Eucharistic
celebrations of the Orthodox Rite. |
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The
Chapel of St. Lucy
In this Chapel dedicated to the Patroness of
Syracuse, lies the tomb of HE Calogero Lauricella,
Archbishop of Syracuse from 1973 to 1989, who worked
for the construction of the Shrine to Mary for whom
he had a filial devotion. The monument containing
his mortal remains was designed by Franco Vasquez.
The bronze bust is the work of Francesco Caldarella.
The Byzantine Hypogeum
Looking at the major altar, towards the left one
sees an archeological find (a late Byzantine
Hypogeum – a burial room?) under which there are two
ancient Greek-Roman ruins (not accessible) near to
which runs a little source of water (not visible). |
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The Christ of the Light
The Crucifix, painted upon beech wood, is the work
of Francesco Scialfa, which he entitled "Christ of
the Light": from the hands, feet and head, emanate
rays of light, a light recalling the Resurrection. |
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The Paintings
Next to the "Christ of the Light" are two paintings.
On the left
Our Lady with the Child Jesus, St Elisabeth with St
John, St Joseph and St Joachim (unknown artist from
the 18th centrury); to the right, the Trinity with
the souls of Purgatory (unknown artist from the the
19th century)
The Shrine |
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