Arte Sacra Marchetti
Distributors of both icons and amaretto of the Sanctuary

Pier-Luigi Marchetti's interview, owner.

Can you briefly introduce us your company and your production?

Our company was founded in 1931 with the opening of a shop in the city centre of Verona. What we are today is thanks to three generations that have constantly researched for new articles, desired to do and being aware of the market. In addition to the shop, we currently deal with the distribution of hand-painted (although it would be more correct to say hand-written) icons and the production of metal symbols for catechesis which are used in school camps. The longevity of our company, the reliability we have proven, and the experience we have gained over the years have led us to become dealers for the distribution of the Amaretto del Santuario, the first liqueur dedicated to Our Lady authorised by the Diocesan Ordinary.

How do you consider the current situation and the perspectives of the religious articles market, after both the pandemic and the current difficult period due to the war in Ukraine?

Market prospects are directly proportional to the faith of the area. The more faith there is, the more demand there is for symbols referring to it. Consequently, the market for these articles is doomed to disappear if there is less faith. The pandemic has surprised everyone, no one ever expected to experience such a situation. All the mistakes that have been made during the management of pandemic are jeopardising the future of many companies even in our field, which niche is much more important than you might think. That not only refers to numbers, we want to leave them to accountants, but to the moral support that shops give to customers. We realise how much need of humanity, contact and communication there is, only by working in contact with the customers that buy sacred art. These are feelings that cannot be bought online. After the pandemic, the Ukrainian war is also putting a strain on our market, the difficulties we have in finding raw materials and the disproportional increased of costs make everything more difficult. The market for religious articles is being held up by small artisans with limited power of supply, but with a great spirit of self-denial to overcome many difficulties.

The third edition of "Devotio" is around the corner and its aim is that to represent a moment of restart for the entire industry. What do you expect from this exhibition?

The restart of this market will also depend on the modus operandi of all those who are involved in this industry. We are dealing with a market linked not only to faith with the concept of “I believe in God”, but with the attendance to both parishes and Sunday Masses, catechism and parish community life. I find it useless to have the most beautiful Marian icon when people do not know that Our Lady exists. I hope that I made the point. From this exhibition, I expect that the exchange of ideas and opinions will increase interest in this world that may seem “fantastic”, but it is instead much more real than one might believe.

Will you bring some novelties to “Devotio 2022”? Which ones?

At Devotio 2022, in addition to the presentation of new icon subjects, we will have a tasting of the amaretto of the Mater Misericordiae Distributors of both icons and amaretto of the sanctuary, an artisanal product born from both desire and faith experience.

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