Santuario della Madonna del Buon Consiglio

The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio (Our Lady of Good Counsel) is a place of worship in Frigento, in Piano della Croce, on the slopes of the homonymous plateau.

The centre of a heartfelt Marian devotion, the building was erected in the early 20th century on the site where a local farmer found a majolica depicting the Virgin Mary holding the Baby Jesus in her arms, clasping him to her heart and face, while he places his hand on his mother's chest and grasps her neck with the other. In the years immediately following its construction, graces and miracles occurred, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, which helped to strengthen its devotion. The Sanctuary became a destination for pilgrims from all over Irpinia (and beyond) in 1970, when the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception, a religious institute founded in the same year by Father Stefano Maria Manelli and Father Gabriele Maria Pellettieri of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, moved into the nearby convent. 

Today, the Sanctuary is the home of the Institute. It has a single nave and is characterised by precious frescoes depicting scenes from the Gospels along the side walls. Inside this building it is still possible to contemplate the majolica of the Madonna and Child found a century ago, located above the altar and venerated by the faithful. The vault and ceiling are also decorated with two beautiful paintings that add to the splendour and charm of one of the most significant places of worship in the Ufita Valley.

A place of great artistic value, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio contains a beautiful story of faith, which has contributed to the spread of a cult that has branched out to four different continents.