La Grotta del latte da Betlemme a Maranola: riti propiziatori e immagini salutifere

The crypt of the Church of St Luke the Evangelist in Maranola looks like a replica of the Milk Grotto in Bethlehem. The Milk Grotto, situated near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is supposed to be a place where the Holy Family rested during their flight to Egypt. While nursing Jesus, Mary spilled some milk, and wondrously the black cave walls turned white. To this day lactating women believe that eating some of the white powder from the walls of the Grotto they will increase their milk supply. In the crypt of Maranola, following the example of the Bethlehem grotto, salutary and propitiatory rites were performed for mothers and newborns, as well as for women desirous of motherhood.