Image of Our Lady of Good Counsel is carried by angels through the clouds from Albania to Italy

The history of the image of Our Lady of Good Counsel has two distinct moments: its origin in Albania and then its current location in Italy.

First: image in Albania

The image of Our Lady of Good Counsel in the city of Scutari, Albania, was much worshipped and the source of numerous miracles. Devotion was growing rapidly. But these were tumultuous times in the Middle Ages. In 1467, a Turkish invasion took place in Albania, dominating the region and culminating in severe persecution of the Christians, who had no choice but to flee. Two very devout Albanian soldiers, Solavis and Georgi, go to the church to say goodbye to their Mother of devotion. As they looked at the image, the first great miracle took place before their eyes:

A cloud surrounded the image and detached it from the wall, lifting it up to the heavens. Human hands would never have been able to remove the image, which was painted on the plaster of the wall (a technique called fresco) and was as thick as an eggshell, without breaking or damaging it. They were angelic hands. Slowly, the image began to move, as if inviting the soldiers to follow. And the devotees did so without blinking an eye. It was heading towards Rome, passing by the Adriatic Sea... The two trusted in God and, like St. Peter, walked on water!!! The total journey of 300 kilometers took days and they didn't feel tired or hungry. During the day the image protected them from the scorching sun and at night it illuminated them with its brightness - equivalent to how God led his Hebrew people during the exodus in the middle of the desert.

When they reached the outskirts of Rome, the image drifted away through the clouds until it disappeared. Although they didn't understand why, devotees began to search for it in the area, but to no avail.

The second moment: the image in Italy

Another completely different story was unfolding in the city of Genezzano, Italy. The church of Our Lady of Good Counsel in that town was practically in ruins, on the verge of collapsing. But a widow called Petruccia de Geneo, with a lot of resources, set about trying to restore it after receiving a vision of the Blessed Virgin giving her this mission. But the task was very difficult and her resources were not enough. She relied on the faith of her neighbors, but they only ridiculed her for such a great work. They called the restoration: "the madness of Petruccia".But the widow fully trusted in the providence of God and Our Lady and that the work would somehow be completed. That year, 1467, there was a feast in the village for St. Mark's Day. The sky was clear and blue, but a formidable-looking cloud stood out above, when it began to descend from the heavens chanting sounds of beautiful music, drawing the attention of the population... And it didn't stop:

When the cloud descended close to the ground, everyone was amazed and began to watch it closely. The cloud landed on one of the walls of the church that was being restored, and out of it came a beautiful image of Our Lady with the Child Jesus. The extremely fragile image was placed upright, unsupported on the church wall. The bells of the church and the other churches in the city immediately began to ring out, calling the people to admire the incredible miracle and God's gift to them!!!

They ran to tell Petruccia about the miracle, and she went fervently to the place. She knew it was confirmation of her vision and the Blessed Mother coming to take possession of her church. Songs and praises were sung to Our Lady on the spot.We return at this point to our two devout soldiers and pilgrims. They soon heard about the image that had come down from heaven and went to the town of Genazzano. When they arrived, they found their Mother again!!! They told everyone about the image's origin and its miraculous journey through the clouds from Scutari in Albania.

In the following four months alone, 171 miracles were formally recorded. Because of such graces, the image also became known as Our Lady of Paradise and Our Lady of Miracles. 

Naturally, donations increased enormously, allowing the restoration to be completed.

The Vatican investigation commission carried out numerous analyses and found that the image of Our Lady of Good Counsel that appeared in Italy was exactly the same as the one that miraculously left Albania. Even the empty space left in the wall of the church in Scutari matched the size of the image in the church in Genazzano.

The Italian church withstood the centuries, including earthquakes in the region, but with the image always remaining intact. But the Second World War came and bombed the town... A bomb fell on the main altar, completely destroying it along with the church's images, except for one:

Miraculously, the image of Our Lady of Good Success didn't suffer a scratch, and to this day it looks as new as it did centuries ago.

Watch our video summary of this beautiful miracle story below:

Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel

When you need to make decisions, whether big or small, ask Our Lady of Good Counsel for help, for she is the lady of good counsel! Say the following prayer:

"Most Glorious Virgin, chosen by the Eternal Counsel to be the Mother of the Eternal Word made flesh, thou who art the treasurer of Divine graces, and the advocate of sinners, I, thy most unworthy servant, have recourse to thee; be thou pleased to be my guide and counselor in this vale of tears. 

Obtain for me through the Most Precious Blood of thy Divine Son, the forgiveness of my sins, the salvation of my soul, and the means necessary to obtain it. 

In like manner, obtain for Holy Mother the Church victory over her enemies, and the spread of the kingdom of Jesus Christ upon the whole earth. 

Amen."

_{References: A12, Paróquia Nossa Senhora do Bom Conselho, Center for Divine Mercy, Irmãs Agostinianas Servas de Jesus e Maria, Monsenhor João S. Cla Dias}