Blessed Sebastiano Valfrè Festival

A village festival in the heart of the Langhe

In Verduno, a small hillside village in the province of Cuneo nestled within the UNESCO-recognized vineyard landscapes of the Langhe, the last weekend of January is dedicated to the memory of its most famous citizen: Blessed Sebastiano Valfrè. This is not a large-scale tourist event, but a genuine village festival, brought back to life by the municipal administration as a moment of connection for the entire community, balancing religious reflection with convivial warmth.

Who was Blessed Sebastiano Valfrè

Sebastiano Valfrè was born in Verduno on March 9, 1629, into a modest farming family. He paid for his studies by copying books and joined the Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in Turin at a very young age, where he would become one of the city's most beloved spiritual figures. As a confessor to the House of Savoy, he remained by the people's side during the 1706 Siege of Turin, assisting soldiers, the sick, and prisoners. He refused the appointment as Archbishop of Turin to remain faithful to his mission among the poor, earning him the title of "father of the poor" and making him a precursor to the Piedmontese social saints. He died in Turin on January 30, 1710, and was beatified in 1834, the first Oratorian father to be elevated to the altars after Saint Philip Neri himself.

The meaning of the celebration

The festival takes place around January 30, the day the liturgy commemorates the Blessed. In Verduno, the day revolves around the Holy Mass in his honor, during which Valfrè's reflections are revisited, highlighting their continued relevance and spiritual power. The religious service is followed by a moment of conviviality offered by the Municipality with the collaboration of the Pro Loco: a traditional hot Piedmontese dish shared by the entire citizenry in a simple, family-like atmosphere.

Between history, wine, and legend

What makes the event special is its connection to the territory: Verduno is the home of the rare Verduno Pelaverga DOC, an indigenous wine produced almost exclusively on these hills. It is no coincidence that the festival also includes a cultural moment curated by the civic library, featuring readings of stories that intertwine the figure of the Blessed, the life of the village, and the popular legends linked to Pelaverga wine. It is a sign of a community that preserves its religious, agricultural, and gastronomic identity together.

Towards 2029

The municipal administration of Verduno is already looking ahead to 2029, which will mark the fourth centenary of the Blessed's birth. The intention is to celebrate the anniversary with a solemn event as part of a broader project promoted by the Congregation of the Oratory, the Archdiocese of Turin, and the Diocese of Alba, to which Verduno belongs. The annual January festival is the thread that keeps this memory alive in the small Piedmontese town year after year.