Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua

A festival with an ancient heart in Ruvo di Puglia

The Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is one of the most heartfelt religious events in Ruvo di Puglia, a town in the Province of Bari, in the heart of Apulia. Saint Anthony is among the most venerated saints by the local community, and his feast, celebrated every year on June 13th, brings the entire town together, united by faith and tradition. The festivities are organized by the San Michele Arcangelo Parish, which guides the faithful through a spiritual preparation process lasting several weeks.

The Tredicina and the Triduo

The journey toward the feast begins with the tredicina, thirteen days of prayer that mark popular devotion with morning Holy Mass and, in the late afternoon, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Holy Rosary, and the Eucharistic celebration. Preparation intensifies during the triduo, with catechesis and reflection sessions dedicated to families, adolescents, and young people. The eve culminates with the celebration of the 'Transitus' and the blessing of the lilies, in an atmosphere of quiet reflection that precedes the big day.

The Feast Day: June 13th

On June 13th, the city wakes to the sound of the band marching through the streets, while Holy Masses are held throughout the day at the parish. At the end of each celebration, one of the most cherished Antonian rites is renewed: the blessing of Saint Anthony's bread, a symbol of the Saint's charity linked to an ancient vow of gratitude. In the afternoon, the solemn procession of the statue of Saint Anthony begins, winding through the neighborhood streets accompanied by the "B. Giandonato" Band Complex.

Music, tradition, and fireworks

In the evening, the solemn Eucharistic celebration is animated by the "M. Cantatore" Polyphonic Choir, while the traditional band concert and the performance of the hymn to Saint Anthony accompany the faithful until the final moments. The festivities conclude with the inevitable fireworks display, which illuminates the sky over Ruvo di Puglia in a shared moment of joy.

A deep-rooted devotion: The Thirteen Tuesdays

The June 13th feast is part of a much broader devotion, that of the Thirteen Tuesdays of Saint Anthony: an ancient practice, initially consisting of nine Tuesdays and progressively extended to thirteen in memory of the Saint's death. This evolution, born from growing popular participation, testifies to the deep bond between Saint Anthony and the community of Ruvo di Puglia, which renews its most cherished tradition with faith and affection every year.