Feast of Our Lady of Grace and Saint James

A patronal feast at the foot of Montecassino

Every year in late August, the village of Piumarola in the municipality of Villa Santa Lucia, Frosinone, gathers around its patron saints for the Feast of Our Lady of Grace and Saint James. It is a classic Ciociaria patronal feast: days where religious celebrations promoted by the parish of Saint James the Apostle intertwine with evenings of live music and the intimate atmosphere of a village rediscovering its communal identity. All this in a picturesque setting in southern Lazio, on the western slopes of Montecassino, just a few kilometers from the famous Benedictine abbey.

Two devotions, one community

The feast unites two figures dear to the inhabitants of Piumarola: Our Lady of Grace, venerated in the sanctuary overlooking Villa Santa Lucia, and Saint James the Apostle, the titular saint of the village parish church on Via della Sorgente. This dual dedication reflects the spiritual geography of the town: on one side, the Marian sanctuary on the mountain, a pilgrimage destination for over four centuries; on the other, the village church, the daily heart of religious life in Piumarola. The late August festivities, organized by the S. Giacomo Apostolo Piumarola Festival Committee, are the moment when these two devotions are celebrated together.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace was founded in 1595 when, according to tradition, a shepherdess discovered an image of the Virgin and Child painted inside an ancient shrine. From a small tabernacle, the site soon transformed into a chapel guarded by hermits, later expanded and embellished during the 18th century until its solemn consecration by the Bishop of Aquino. Inside, it houses the Sacred Effigy of the Madonna, a fresco depicting Mary nursing the Baby Jesus. On July 2nd, the sanctuary celebrates its liturgical feast, while in late August, Marian devotion returns to the spotlight in Piumarola alongside Saint James.

Piumarola, a village rich in history

Piumarola is no ordinary village: its castle was among the most important in the abbey administration of Montecassino, and its territory was inhabited as early as the Roman era, as evidenced by the so-called "Fasti of Piumarola," an inscription dating between 67 and 75 AD, now preserved in the Capitoline Museums in Rome. The village also maintains a lively tradition of popular festivals, such as the historic Saint Martin's Festival in November; the summer patronal feast is part of this community fabric that loves to gather in the square.

Music in the square: the secular heart of the feast

Alongside the religious moments, the feast is known for its musical evenings in Piumarola. In the 2025 edition, the stage hosted the Tequila e Montepulciano Band, one of the most sought-after Italian folk music groups in the squares of Central and Southern Italy, with a concert that joyfully closed the festivities on the evening of August 31st. It is the typical format of Lazio's patronal feasts: music for all ages, families in the square, and a genuine village atmosphere.

Why visit

The Feast of Our Lady of Grace and Saint James is an authentic opportunity to discover a little-known corner of Lazio. You can combine an evening at the festival with a visit to the sanctuary, the historic center of Villa Santa Lucia, and, just a few minutes' drive away, the Abbey of Montecassino. A small journey into the most genuine Ciociaria, far from the crowded tourist circuits.