Feast in Honor of the Patron Saint John the Baptist

The most cherished festival in San Giovanni Incarico

The Feast in Honor of the Patron Saint John the Baptist is the most significant religious and community event in San Giovanni Incarico, a village in the province of Frosinone, in southern Lazio. The town bears the name of the saint who protects it: a coincidence that speaks volumes about the deep bond between the community and its patron. Every year, around June 24th—the liturgical solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist—the historic center comes alive with celebrations, music, and gatherings that involve all generations.

The parish church, the heart of the festival

The focal point of the festivities is the parish church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, a building of ancient origins; while the first structures date back to around the year 1000, scholars trace the current layout to no later than the 14th century. This church, which houses the statue of the saint, is the starting point for the traditional procession that winds through the entire historic center, the highlight of the festival and an occasion for the whole town to gather in the streets.

The traditional program: novena, solemn mass, and procession

The festival follows a well-established structure. In the days leading up to the solemnity, a preparatory novena takes place, with the rosary and mass celebrated every evening in the parish. On the day of the feast, the religious program includes a morning mass and, in the late afternoon, a solemn Eucharistic celebration followed by the procession with the statue of Saint John the Baptist through the town streets. The statue is carried on the shoulders of volunteers and members of the "Vergine Santissima della Guardia" Pious Congregation, while the procession is accompanied by the notes of the "Vincenzo Bellini" Musical Band, an authentic local institution directed by Maestro Gianfranco Ricci. The parish choir adds solemnity to the liturgies. Additionally, there are civil evenings in the square organized on the eve of the feast, featuring free musical performances.

The 2026 edition: a celebration with Bishop Monsignor Andrea Carlevale

The 2026 edition was truly exceptional: on Sunday, June 28th, the solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Monsignor Andrea Carlevale, who was ordained auxiliary bishop of Rome on May 2, 2026, and is linked to San Giovanni Incarico through his paternal origins. Concelebrating with him were the parish priest Father Francis Ngareh, the local vicar Father Giansante Salvi, and other local priests. Civil and military authorities of the municipality also took part in the festival, testifying to the event's identity-defining value for the entire community. At the end of the mass, the bishop led the procession through the town streets, in a day of intense popular participation.

A tradition of the Liri Valley

Like many patronal festivals in the province of Frosinone, the Feast of Saint John the Baptist combines religious dimensions with village social life: it is the moment when those who have emigrated return to the town, families reunite, and the community renews its sense of belonging. The Municipality of San Giovanni Incarico supports the festivities promoted by the parish every year, making the festival one of the most anticipated summer events in lower Lazio. For those visiting the Lazio region away from the major tourist circuits, it is an authentic opportunity to discover the soul of a village in the Ciociaria area.