Feast of Saint Felix of Cantalice

The patronal feast of Cantalice

In the heart of the Sabina region, perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Rieti basin, the village of Cantalice celebrates its patron saint, Saint Felix, every May. It is one of the most deeply felt traditions in the Rieti area of Lazio, drawing faithful, returning emigrants, and visitors from across the province. For four days, the town experiences a blend of devotion, memory, and popular celebration that renews an ancient bond between the community and its saint.

Saint Felix, the first Capuchin saint

Born in Cantalice in the 16th century, Felix was the first saint of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. A humble begging friar, he wandered the streets of Rome collecting alms and bringing food to the poor and needy: hence the tradition, still alive today, of blessing and distributing bread to the faithful. Saint Felix is the patron of Cantalice and co-patron of the city and diocese of Rieti, and his liturgical feast falls on May 18th. Popular devotion also links him to the famous miracle of the water, which tradition says he caused to spring forth by striking the ground with a staff at the site where the Sanctuary of San Felice all'Acqua stands today.

The days of the feast

The festivities begin with a preparatory triduum in the days leading up to the solemnity, featuring the Rosary and Holy Mass in the late afternoon. The central moment arrives on May 18th, the day of the feast: after a solemn mass in the church dedicated to the saint, the wooden statue of Saint Felix is carried on shoulders in a procession through the village streets, followed by local confraternities, civil and military authorities, and the local population. The relic of the saint is then used to impart a blessing upon the city of Cantalice and the entire diocese.

Music, tradition, and entertainment

Alongside the religious dimension, the feast offers a rich secular program. The Cantalice City Band accompanies the celebrations throughout the day, while evenings come alive with concerts and dance orchestras that fill the town squares. The grand finale is provided by a fireworks display, preceded by the traditional lottery draw, which illuminates the sky above the village and marks the conclusion of the festivities.

A village to discover

The feast is also the perfect opportunity to discover one of the most charming villages in the Sabina region: its medieval alleys, the Church of Saint Felix, the Scentella fountain, and the panoramic views over the valley and Mount Terminillo. A short distance away, you will find the Sanctuary of San Felice all'Acqua, the Saint Francis Way, and the famous Franciscan sanctuaries of the Rieti Holy Valley, from Greccio to Fonte Colombo. It is a setting where faith, nature, and tradition merge, making the Feast of Saint Felix much more than a simple religious appointment: it is a moment of identity for the entire Rieti community.