Celebrations in Honor of Saint Menna the Hermit (Patronal Feast)
The patronal feast of Vitulano, from the village to the Hermitage on Mount Pentime
About Feast of Saint Menna the Hermit
The most cherished festival in Vitulano
In the municipality of Vitulano, in the province of Benevento (Campania), at the foot of the Taburno-Camposauro massif, the Celebrations in Honor of Saint Menna the Hermit are much more than a religious anniversary: they are the moment when the entire town, and with it the whole Vitulanese Valley, rediscovers its identity. Saint Menna is the patron saint of Vitulano and co-patron of the valley, and the locals affectionately call him «Santu Mennato». For several days, the liturgical calendar and the secular program intertwine in Piazza SS. Trinità, along the streets of the village, and on the paths leading up to Mount Pentime.
Saint Menna, the hermit of Sannio
Born in Vitulano to a noble family in the first half of the 6th century, Menna chose a solitary life at a very young age, retreating to a cave in the mountains of Sannio, where he spent years in penance and prayer. He died around 583, and his reputation for holiness is attested by an exceptional source: Pope Gregory the Great, his contemporary, who mentions him in his Dialogues. His body was taken to Sant'Agata de' Goti and in 1094 translated to Caiazzo, but the bond with his hometown has never been broken: on the heights of Vitulano, an ancient oratory marks the place of his death and has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries.
The Hermitage on Mount Pentime
Where tradition places the Saint's cave, a church was built around 975, commissioned by Teodrice and Assueto, sons of Aroaldo di Tocco. Restored after the 1688 earthquake, the Hermitage of Saint Menna remains the spiritual heart of the festival: a building nestled in the woods on a ridge of Mount Pentime, reachable on foot. The procession's ascent to the Hermitage, led by the marching band, is the most intense moment of the week: a journey of faith that, as the Festival Committee notes, becomes a moment of prayer and community. Mayor Scarinzi defined it as the most authentic heart of the town, where families, young people, and the elderly gather together along the Saint's path.
The program: seven-day prayer, processions, concerts
The celebrations open with the seven-day prayer cycle in the Church of the SS. Trinità: every day includes the recitation of the Holy Rosary and Holy Mass with an invocation to Saint Menna. Then the secular program, curated by the Festival Committee chaired by Gianluca De Maria, comes to life with a formula that alternates performances by local schools, polyphonic choir festivals, musicals, cabaret, and concerts by well-known artists.
- Seven-day prayer cycle in the Church of the SS. Trinità
- Visit of the Saint's image to the Sirignano district
- Polyphonic Choir Festival, reaching its 23rd edition in 2026
- Procession through the town streets with the «Monetti» Marching Band of Cervinara
- Procession and Holy Mass at the Hermitage of Saint Menna on Mount Pentime
- Evening concerts in Piazza SS. Trinità and midnight fireworks display
Flavors of Sannio and village atmosphere
Throughout the festival, food stalls are open featuring typical local products, an authentic expression of local cuisine, while artistic illuminations and floral decorations transform the town center. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a corner of inland Campania still little touched by mass tourism: the Vitulanese Valley, the marbles of Vitulano, and the paths and woods of the Taburno-Camposauro Regional Park.
When it takes place
The patronal feast of Vitulano falls on variable dates between late May and early June: in 2026 from May 22 to 26, while in 2025 the grand finale was held on June 9 and 10. The liturgical memorial of Saint Menna in the calendar is set for November 11. It is therefore advisable to check the program published annually by the Festival Committee and the Municipality of Vitulano.
Feast of Saint Menna the Hermit — edition 2026
Saint Menna the Hermit 2026: five days of faith and entertainment
The Festival Committee chaired by Gianluca De Maria officially released the program at the beginning of May, structured around a seven-day prayer cycle (from May 18 to 23) and five days of celebrations, from May 22 to 26, 2026. The religious and secular programs intertwined between the Church of the SS. Trinità, Piazza SS. Trinità, the «Paolo De Filippo» Hall, and the Hermitage of Saint Menna on Mount Pentime.
The most attended moment was Monday, May 25: Holy Mass at 7:00 AM, procession through the streets of the town, and the uphill march to the Hermitage, where Mass was celebrated at 10:30 AM; after a day of celebration in the woods, the image descended toward the town at 2:00 PM. The evenings featured the 23rd Polyphonic Choir Festival, the musical Notre Dame de Paris by the Padre Isaia Columbro Middle School with the student band «Neverminders», the conference «The Music of Our Land», and concerts by the Popular Beat Collective, «Le Stelle Italiane», and Giusy Attanasio, along with the comedy show by «I Ditelo Voi» from Made in Sud.
Closing the festivities at midnight on May 26 was the traditional fireworks display. The Committee reported extraordinary popular participation, thanking volunteers, sponsors, associations, the Municipality of Vitulano, law enforcement, and the school community.
Programme Feast of Saint Menna the Hermit 2026
Seven-day prayer cycle — from Monday, May 18 to Saturday, May 23
Church of the SS. Trinità: 6:00 PM recitation of the Holy Rosary; 6:30 PM Holy Mass and invocation to Saint Menna.
Friday, May 22
- 8:30 PM, Piazza SS. Trinità — «Songs and dances of my town», performance by the Vitulano Kindergarten with the Fortuna Folianensis Folk Group from Foglianise
- 9:00 PM, R.E.V. Vitulano — concert by Carmelo Pipitone
Saturday, May 23
- 5:00 PM — visit of Saint Menna to Sirignano and Holy Mass at the chapel
- 6:30 PM, Church of the SS. Trinità — 23rd Polyphonic Choir Festival, organized by the «S. Menna» Choir
- 8:30 PM, Piazza SS. Trinità — «Notre Dame de Paris: the musical», by the Padre Isaia Columbro Middle School, followed by the performance of the student band «Neverminders»
Sunday, May 24
- 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, Church of the SS. Trinità — Solemn Holy Masses; at the end of the 11:00 AM celebration, fireworks display
- 6:00 PM — procession with the image of the Patron Saint through the town streets, accompanied by the «Monetti» Marching Band of Cervinara
- 7:30 PM, «Paolo De Filippo» Hall — conference «The Music of Our Land» and inauguration of Vico Mario Botte
- 9:30 PM, Piazza SS. Trinità — concert by the Popular Beat Collective
Monday, May 25 — the day of tradition
- 7:00 AM, Church of the SS. Trinità — Holy Mass, followed by a procession through the town streets and the march to the Hermitage of Saint Menna with the «Monetti» Marching Band
- 10:30 AM — Holy Mass at the Hermitage of Saint Menna, on Mount Pentime
- 2:00 PM — descent of the Saint's image toward the town
- 9:30 PM, Piazza SS. Trinità — concert by «Le Stelle Italiane»
Tuesday, May 26
- 6:30 PM, Church of the SS. Trinità — concluding Holy Mass and return of the Saint's image to the patronal chapel
- 9:30 PM, Piazza SS. Trinità — show with «I Ditelo Voi» from Made in Sud and concert by Giusy Attanasio
- 12:00 AM — traditional closing fireworks display
Throughout the festivities: food stalls with typical local products, artistic illuminations, and floral decorations.
Highlights Feast of Saint Menna the Hermit 2026
- The morning procession on Monday, May 25, to the Hermitage of Saint Menna on Mount Pentime with the «Monetti» Marching Band
- The 10:30 AM Holy Mass at the Hermitage, followed by a day of celebration amidst nature and conviviality
- The 23rd Polyphonic Choir Festival in the Church of the SS. Trinità
- The concert by Giusy Attanasio and the show by «I Ditelo Voi» from Made in Sud
- The midnight fireworks display that closed the festivities on May 26
Prices Feast of Saint Menna the Hermit 2026
Practical information — Feast of Saint Menna the Hermit
How to get there
Vitulano is located in the Vitulanese Valley, about fifteen kilometers from Benevento. By car: from Benevento, continue west along the provincial road of the valley (about 20-25 minutes). By train: the reference station is Benevento, connected to Naples, Caserta, and Rome; from there, continue by bus or car. By plane: the nearest airport is Naples-Capodichino, about 70 km away.
Festival locations
- Church of the SS. Trinità — seven-day prayer, Holy Masses, choir festival
- Piazza SS. Trinità — shows, evening concerts, and fireworks
- «Paolo De Filippo» Hall — conferences and cultural meetings
- Hermitage of Saint Menna — on Mount Pentime, reachable on foot via an uphill climb
Practical tips
- For the procession to the Hermitage, trekking shoes and water are needed: the route is in the mountains and the departure is at dawn.
- The town center is closed to traffic during processions: it is advisable to park on the outskirts.
- Food stalls are open every day of the festival; food and drinks are for purchase.
- Accommodation is available in the town and nearby municipalities of the Vitulanese Valley; a wide choice of facilities is available in Benevento.
Information
Municipality of Vitulano, Viale San Pietro 15, 82038 Vitulano (BN) — tel. +39 0824 878622 — [email protected]. Organization: Saint Menna the Hermit Festival Committee.
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Where does it take place — Feast of Saint Menna the Hermit
Piazza SS. Trinità, Chiesa della SS. Trinità ed Eremo di San Menna
Piazza SS. Trinità, 82038 Vitulano