The ancient church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Audioguide created in collaboration with the students of "A. Gussio" scuola secondaria di primo grado Sant'Alessio Siculo.

Narrated by Samuele Fiumara.

The building was opened on March 14th1937, by Monsignor Paìno, Bishop of Messina. Its construction is due to the constant commitment of Father Antonio Musumeci, a historical figure and a war martyr. He wanted to remain in charge of the building during World War II, to protect and support the elderly and displaced people he had welcomed into the rectory.

On August 14th 1943, one day before the entry of British troops into Sant'Alessio, some retreating Germans soldiers saw him on the terrace, assaulted the rectory with hand grenades and killed him with gunshots. The remains of Father Musumeci rest in his Mother Church, where a funeral monument has been erected to remember his sacrifice.