Celebrations for the Blessed Virgin of Grace – Patron Saint of Faenza
The festival of the Patron Saint of Faenza, between faith, processions, and tradition
About Blessed Virgin of Grace
The festival of the Patron Saint of Faenza
The Celebrations for the Blessed Virgin of Grace are the most heartfelt religious and civil event in the Municipality of Faenza, in the province of Ravenna, in the heart of Romagna in Emilia-Romagna. Every year, around the second Sunday of May, the entire Diocese of Faenza-Modigliana gathers around its Patron Saint, venerated in the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle, the city's Duomo. For a week, the city experiences a packed calendar of celebrations, processions, moments of prayer, and popular traditions involving parishes, confraternities, schools, families, and Rioni.
A devotion born from the plague of 1412
The cult of the Madonna delle Grazie has very ancient origins. In 1412, during a terrible plague epidemic, the Virgin is said to have appeared with open arms and three broken arrows in each hand, a tangible sign of the end of the contagion. In that year, the votive image of the Madonna of the broken arrows was painted on the wall of the Dominican church, becoming the iconographic symbol of Faenza's devotion. The first altar was consecrated on May 12, 1420, and since then the festival has been celebrated every year. After the city was spared from a new pestilence, in 1631 the Madonna was crowned and proclaimed Patron Saint and protector of Faenza, with the solemn offering of the city keys. In 1931, for the third centenary, Pope Pius XI confirmed the title of "Principal Patron Saint of the city and the diocese".
The central moments
- The solemn procession: on the evening of May 8th, the procession starts from the church of San Domenico and proceeds along Corso Mazzini to the Cathedral, where the Act of Entrustment of the city and diocese to Mary takes place.
- The Pontifical Mass on May 9th: on the culminating day, the mayors of the diocesan municipalities offer a candle to the Madonna delle Grazie, while in the evening the city's Rioni renew the offering of candles.
- The Children's Flower Offering (La Fiorita dei bambini): on the afternoon of May 9th, the youngest are the protagonists of the floral tribute and the traditional greeting to the Madonna della Torre.
- The Concert of Grace (Concerto delle Grazie): in the evening, on the Cathedral square, choirs and music accompany the conclusion of the day.
Between faith and civic identity
The festival intertwines spirituality and civil life: the gastronomic stand, the famous torta delle Grazie (cake of grace), and the extraordinary opening of art sites like the Oratory of San Pietro in Vincoli accompany the days of celebration. The festivities also mark the symbolic start of the events related to the Palio del Niballo, the great historical re-enactment of Faenza. For the people of Faenza, honoring the Blessed Virgin of Grace means recognizing themselves in a common memory that has lasted for over six centuries.
Blessed Virgin of Grace — edition 2026
The 2026 edition opened on Sunday, May 3rd, with the Rosary at the altar of the Madonna delle Grazie and the Mass presided over by the emeritus bishop Msgr. Claudio Stagni, followed in the evening by a prayer vigil for peace. From May 4th to 7th, preparation days were held for children and young people, families, vocations, the sick, and the elderly, with the Rosary in the Cathedral at 6:30 PM and Mass at 7:00 PM.
On Friday, May 8th, after the morning walk to Monte Lavane, the solemn procession departed at 8:30 PM from San Domenico along Corso Mazzini to the Cathedral, with the Act of Entrustment presided over by Msgr. Mario Toso. Saturday, May 9th, the culminating day, the Pontifical Mass at 10:30 AM was presided over by Msgr. Livio Corazza, Bishop of Forlì-Bertinoro, with the offering of candles by the mayors; in the afternoon, the Children's Flower Offering (Fiorita dei bambini) and, at 9:00 PM, the Concert of Grace on the Cathedral square with the Voices of Joy choir and the Pavone d'Oro choir. Sunday, May 10th, concluded with Mass for the elderly and sick and the Anointing of the Sick.
Programme Blessed Virgin of Grace 2026
Sunday, May 3rd
- 5:15 PM Rosary at the altar of the Madonna delle Grazie (Cathedral)
- 6:00 PM Opening Mass (Msgr. Claudio Stagni)
- 8:30 PM Prayer vigil for peace
Monday, May 4th to Thursday, May 7th – Preparation Days
- 6:30 PM Rosary in the Cathedral, 7:00 PM Mass
- Mon 4: children and young people · Tue 5: families · Wed 6: vocations · Thu 7: the sick (blessing of vehicles at Piazzale Tambini)
Friday, May 8th
- 9:00 AM Walk from Passo della Peschiera to Monte Lavane, with Mass
- 8:30 PM Solemn procession from San Domenico along Corso Mazzini to the Cathedral and Act of Entrustment (Msgr. Mario Toso)
Saturday, May 9th – Culminating Day
- 8:00 AM Mass
- 10:30 AM Pontifical Mass (Msgr. Livio Corazza) with offering of candles by the mayors
- 3:00 PM Opening of the gastronomic stand
- 4:00 PM Children's Flower Offering (Fiorita) and tribute to the Madonna della Torre
- 5:00 PM Rosary and Vespers
- 6:00 PM Mass with offering of candles by the Rioni (Msgr. Mario Toso)
- 9:00 PM Concert of Grace on the Cathedral square (Voices of Joy choir, Pavone d'Oro choir)
Sunday, May 10th
- 8:00 AM–12:00 PM Morning Masses
- 10:30 AM Mass for the elderly and sick with Anointing of the Sick (Msgr. Mario Toso)
- 5:00 PM Rosary and Vespers · 6:00 PM Mass in suffrage of deceased brothers and sisters of the Archconfraternity
Highlights Blessed Virgin of Grace 2026
Prices Blessed Virgin of Grace 2026
Practical information — Blessed Virgin of Grace
Where
The main celebrations take place in the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle (Duomo di Faenza), in the historic center. The procession runs along Corso Mazzini starting from the church of San Domenico.
How to get there
By train: Faenza station is on the Bologna–Rimini line, a few minutes' walk from the center. By car: take the Faenza exit from the A14 motorway, then follow signs for the historic center (parking in the surrounding areas). During the procession, some streets in the center are closed to traffic.
Admission
Participation in the liturgies and celebrations is free and open to all.
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Where does it take place — Blessed Virgin of Grace
Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo (Duomo di Faenza)
Via Santa Maria dell'Angelo 5, 48018 Faenza