Madonne Armate ― La Madonna delle Milizie - Armed Madonna ― Our Lady of the Militias
The "Madonna Armata" (Armed Madonna), also known as "La Madonna delle Milizie" (Madonna of the Militias) or "Our Lady of the Militias," is a unique Marian devotion in the Catholic tradition, centered in Scicli, a town in the province of Ragusa, Sicily, Italy. She is venerated as the co-patron saint of Scicli, alongside Blessed Guglielmo da Vercelli, and is depicted as the only "warrior Virgin" in Christianity—a crowned figure in armor, wielding a sword, and riding a white warhorse. This portrayal symbolizes divine intervention in battle, blending history, legend, and folklore.
Historical and Legendary Origins
The devotion stems from events in 1091 during the Norman conquest of Sicily, when Arab-Saracen forces were besieging the region, including Scicli. As the outnumbered Normans and local inhabitants faced defeat, they invoked the Virgin Mary through fasting and prayers. According to tradition, Mary …More
Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos!
Awesome! But they should have painted her riding side saddle a least. Like all the ladies did.
The Sicilians love their Saints. They would hold 3 days honoring some the Saints. Tables and booths full of food. Processions and Mass, prayers and so on. In NJ and NY when I was very young, I remember what a huge deal it was in certain parts and the streets full of happy people, food and religious. I miss those days a lot.