At a time when Europe was threatened by an invasion of the Ottoman Empire (Muslim Moors), the Virgin Mary appeared on August 4, 1716, on the island of Pellestrina to a young boy, Natalino Scarpa, 14, with a message to have Mass said on behalf of the souls in purgatory in order to obtain victory.
The local priest did as the Virgin Mary asked. A few weeks later, in Corfu, the Venetians defeated the Ottomans, who were forced to retreat.
