Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
The Franciscan patronal feast of Manduria, from the seven-day prayer to the solemn procession on October 4th
About Feast of Saint Francis
The Franciscan feast of Manduria
The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most deeply felt religious events in Manduria, a Messapian city in northern Salento, in the province of Taranto, Apulia. Every year, between late September and October 4th, the community gathers around the church and convent dedicated to the 'Poverello' of Assisi to celebrate the Patron Saint of Italy through a blend of liturgy, popular tradition, and shared devotion.
The seven-day prayer and the Transitus
The festival is preceded by the settenario, seven days of spiritual preparation (from September 27th to October 3rd) marked by the Franciscan Crown and daily Eucharistic celebrations. On the evening of October 3rd, the Commemoration of the Transitus of Saint Francis is held in the church of Santa Chiara with solemn First Vespers, a moment of intense participation that recalls the Saint's death in 1226.
The solemnity of October 4th
The feast day, October 4th, begins in the morning with a Eucharistic celebration and a tribute from local school children. In the afternoon, the Franciscan Crown precedes the lighting of the Lamp of Peace by the Mayor, a symbolic gesture linking the civil and religious communities. Following the solemn concelebration, the procession with the statue of the Saint takes place in the evening through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by the town's brass band. The return of the procession is greeted by the traditional fireworks display that concludes the festivities.
The 2026 edition and the 8th Centenary
In 2026, the Feast of Saint Francis in Manduria is part of an extraordinary year of grace: it marks the 8th Centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis (1226-2026) and the Franciscan Jubilee Year, which opened on January 10, 2026, and runs until January 10, 2027. For this occasion, three jubilee churches have been designated in Manduria — Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Anthony, and Santa Chiara — where the faithful can experience the pilgrimage of the holy year. A program of spiritual and cultural initiatives accompanies the community throughout the year, culminating in the solemnity of October 4th.
Between faith and civic identity
Franciscan devotion in Manduria has ancient roots: the fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order, linked to the convent of Saint Francis, was canonically established in 1885 and operates within the Diocese of Oria. The festival thus unites the memory of the Saint of Assisi with the identity of a city known for its Messapian walls and Primitivo wine, offering residents and visitors days of reflection, music, and tradition along the streets of the center.
Feast of Saint Francis — edition 2026
Feast of Saint Francis 2026 in Manduria
In 2026, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi in Manduria (TA) takes on a special meaning: it falls during the year of the 8th Centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis (1226-2026) and the Franciscan Jubilee Year, which opened on January 10, 2026. The three local jubilee churches — Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Anthony, and Santa Chiara — will accompany the faithful throughout the holy year.
Following established tradition, the feast is preceded by the settenario (September 27th - October 3rd) with the Franciscan Crown and daily Eucharistic celebrations, the Commemoration of the Transitus on October 3rd at Santa Chiara, and culminates in the solemnity of October 4th, with the solemn mass, the lighting of the Lamp of Peace, the procession with the statue of the Saint accompanied by the brass band, and the final fireworks display.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including times and events, will be released by the Franciscan Family of Manduria in the weeks leading up to the feast.
Programme Feast of Saint Francis 2026
Traditional structure of the feast (the detailed 2026 program will be published closer to the date):
- September 27th - October 3rd — Settenario: Franciscan Crown and daily Eucharistic celebration.
- October 3rd — Church of Santa Chiara: Solemn First Vespers and Commemoration of the Transitus of Saint Francis.
- October 4th — Solemnity of Saint Francis: morning Eucharistic celebration; in the afternoon, Franciscan Crown and lighting of the Lamp of Peace by the Mayor; solemn concelebration; evening procession with the statue of the Saint accompanied by the brass band; final fireworks display.
As part of the 8th Centenary of the Transitus, spiritual and cultural initiatives related to the Franciscan Jubilee Year are also planned.
Highlights Feast of Saint Francis 2026
- 8th Centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis (1226-2026)
- Franciscan Jubilee Year with three jubilee churches in Manduria
- Commemoration of the Transitus in the church of Santa Chiara
- Procession on October 4th and fireworks display
Prices Feast of Saint Francis 2026
Practical information — Feast of Saint Francis
Location
The celebrations take place at the Church and Convent of Saint Francis of Assisi and in the church of Santa Chiara, in the historic center of Manduria (TA), with the procession winding through the city streets.
How to get there
By car: Manduria can be reached via the SS7 ter, approximately 35 km from Taranto and 55 km from Lecce. By train: Manduria station on the Ferrovie del Sud Est line. Nearest airports: Brindisi-Salento and Bari-Palese.
Admission
Participation in religious celebrations, the procession, and the fireworks display is free and open to all.
Information
Franciscan Family of Manduria — Secular Franciscan Order, convent of Saint Francis of Assisi.
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Where does it take place — Feast of Saint Francis
Chiesa e Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi