Ferrero Rocher is a widely known brand of chocolate chocolates. It belongs to the Ferrero group, which includes renowned brands such as Nutella, Kinder or Tic Tac. Founded in 1946 in Piedmont (Italy) by the pastry chef Pietro Ferrero, it became an international empire when the founder's son, Michele Ferrero, set about opening factories in other European countries.
Michele Ferrero, a fervent Catholic, wanted to link one of the company's flagship products to the Virgin Mary. For this reason, the golden paper chocolates are called Ferrero Rocher, in allusion to the grotto of Massabielle, where the Virgin Mary appeared. Lourdes. "Rocher" means "rock", because the cave of the apparitions is a crack in a rock wall. In fact, "Massabielle" is "old rock" in Romance language.
Knowing this, doesn't the rough chocolate wrapper remind you of something? Some say that Michele was inspired by the rock walls and its various cavities to design the paper that envelops the chocolate. On the inside, don't the almond pieces covering the chocolate look like the irregular peaks of a rock?
Success thanks to Our Lady
The Italian owner was so devoted to Our Lady of Lourdes that every year he visited the shrine together with members of his staff and organized pilgrimages for his workers. He was convinced that the company's success was thanks to Our Lady of Lourdes and, so that no one would forget it, he placed an image of Our Lady in every factory and office.
Praising Saint Mary in a message given by Michele for the company's 50th anniversary, the Italian said that "we owe Ferrero's success to Our Lady of Lourdes. Without her, we can do very little".
Return the favor
As a sanctuary coordinator told ACI PressShortly before Michele Ferrero's death in 2015, a flood caused damage to the Lourdes shrine. The owner of the chocolate company promised to help with repairs, however, he passed away on February 14.
His heirs, aware of Michele's wish, made a large donation that helped defray the expenses. Knowing all that she had given him, Ferrero wanted to give back at least a little of what Our Lady of Lourdes had given him.
