by Monica Brao

 

Memories of Tino del Grì (Giovan Battista Piacenza, born in 1929) and Nuccia (Caterina Rabbia, born in 1930) which were told to me during an autumn day in 2016 in their house in Tait Picheta.

 

The miracle of the statue of Saint Anne: 
disappeared then found, but remains lost 

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“… and as a miracle there She was, on the flooding waters of the Gesso, 
our Patron Saint left the Chapel through its only door. 
She stood strong on the wooden boards of Her pedestal 
which used to uplift Her from the humble earthen floor. 
She left and everyone saw Her still lit up by the two candelabras by Her sides, 
and all the candles were burning bright as well. Each of them. 
She left with all Her golden jewelry around Her neck and on Her wrists. 
She left her ancient home 
staggering on the tumultuous waters filled with rocks and broken wood, 
but she was still standing straight. It may seem strange, but it was so. 
She allowed us and Her mountains to gaze upon Her for a moment, 
then, revolving in front of the collapsing Chapel, She said her farewell. 
For Saint Anne and the young Mary the time had come to face 
their unfortunate fate and to follow the course of the overwhelming waters. 
And all of us, who had taken shelter in Tait Bertola, our eyes filled with tears, 
saw Her fading away into the darkness, until She disappeared. 
It was so that we lost our Saint Anne,
our Patron Saint. 
Sorrow was upon us. The water had taken everything from us:
the chapel, the chalice, the bell and She who had always protected us. 
However, shortly after, we heard that in Bombonina, in the lower valley, 
our Saint Anne had washed up on the sandy banks of the river. 
She only had lost one finger 
and was still wearing jewels on her neck. 
Filled with hope 
some of us went down there to bring Her back to Her people; 
amongst Her mountains, 
but in Bombonina She had already become their own miracle. 
Saint Anne was never given back to us. 
Alas, Saint Anne was lost”.