The Prayer in the Olive Grove
The scene represents Jesus praying in the olive grove while an angel is holding the chalice of the Passion.
The statues were shaped by Giovanni d’Enrico in 1604. In 1776, a portico was built on the south side of the square of the Basilica, so as to unify the chapels of the Last Supper (chapel 20)and of the Prayer in the Garden (chapel 21). Also the ancient votive chapel was incorporated and expanded, to create a lateral space, in which the statue of Saint Charles in prayer was placed. Before it was only painted on the wall. This statue was shaped and donated to the Sacro Monte by the sculptor of the royal house of Savoy, Giovanni Battista Bernero, in 1776.
It was Bishop Bascapè who wanted to recall the prayers and meditations of Borromeo in front of that mystery. In 1778, Antonio Orgiazzi the Elder completed the decoration of the chapel and repainted the statues.