Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel

A devotion born on May 9, 1920

The Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Frigento, a town in the province of Avellino, Campania, is rooted in a specific event still recounted by locals today: on May 9, 1920, in the Piano della Croce area, farmer Carmine Capobianco unearthed an 18th-century majolica tile depicting the Virgin and Child. Local tradition holds that the location was revealed to him in a dream. The festive ringing of bells immediately drew farmers from nearby fields, and since that day, May 9 has remained the heart of Frigento's devotional calendar.

From discovery to sanctuary

On May 20, 1921, the Bishop of Avellino blessed the first stone of the sanctuary, built on the exact spot where the tile was found; the building opened for worship on May 9, 1930. Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel stands on the plateau at the foot of the village. It is entrusted to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and remains a destination for year-round pilgrimages. The religious community also operates the Tele Radio Buon Consiglio station, which broadcasts celebrations directly from the sanctuary.

The 'mezzetti': a symbolic gesture

The most iconic aspect of the festival is the procession of the mezzetti to the sanctuary: vessels filled with grain that the women of Frigento carry on their heads as an offering to the Madonna. This rural rite links Marian devotion to the agricultural cycle of Irpinia and is renewed every year with great care, featuring traditional dress, singing, and brass band accompaniment. For many local families, offering the 'mezzetto' is a commitment passed down through generations.

Religious rites and secular festivities

The program traditionally spans several days, balancing liturgical events with a vibrant secular schedule. The established structure includes:

• Preparatory Novena in the days leading up to May 9, with evening mass, vespers, the rosary, and Marian reflections.
• Procession of the icon between the sanctuary and the main church of Frigento, accompanied by local brass bands.
• Solemn Masses on May 9, presided over by guest clergy and broadcast by the sanctuary's station.
• Offering of the mezzetti and an afternoon procession through the town streets.
• Fair, traditional games, card tournaments, and a raffle.
• Dance orchestras, comedy shows, and fireworks to conclude the festivities.

An ancient fair

The religious festival has always been paired with a fair that, in historical editions, attracted merchants, stalls, and livestock traders to Piano della Croce. Over time, the commercial aspect has evolved into a more family-oriented gathering, featuring stalls selling typical Irpinian products, children's rides, food stands run by volunteers, and convivial moments that last until evening. Traditional rural dishes, from handmade fusilli to stewed meats, remain the stars of the tables set up around the sanctuary.

Frigento, the balcony of Irpinia

Frigento is a village perched on a ridge over nine hundred meters above sea level. Its panoramic position has earned it the reputation of being the 'balcony of Irpinia': on clear days, the view stretches from the mountains of Sannio to the Baronia. The historic center preserves Roman cisterns, the cathedral, and noble palaces, while the surrounding territory is a land of vineyards and olive groves, located near the Fiano di Avellino and Taurasi wine regions. Visitors attending the festival will find, beyond the religious observance, an opportunity to discover one of the most authentic inland areas of Campania.

The 2026 edition

The festival is traditionally fixed for May 9, the anniversary of the discovery of the sacred image. At present, however, neither the final calendar nor the program for the 2026 edition has been published online. Those wishing to attend can contact the Pro Loco Frigentina or the sanctuary directly for information regarding the schedule of celebrations and secular events.