Feast of Saint Paschal Baylon
The devotion of the Valle Caudina to the Saint of the Eucharist, featuring a novena, processions, and fireworks
About Saint Paschal Airola
A devotion spanning the Valle Caudina
In Airola, in the Province of Benevento, spring has a fixed appointment: the Feast of Saint Paschal Baylon, celebrated on the third Sunday of May and the two following days. It is neither a food festival nor a series of shows: it is the identity-defining feast of a community that has recognized the Saint of the Eucharist as its daily protector for generations. Those arriving in Airola during these days will find a town in celebration, families waiting on their doorsteps for the statue, and a rhythm marked by the convent bells.
The Convento SS. Concezione, the heart of the feast
Everything revolves around the Convento SS. Concezione, on Corso Caudino, which the locals simply call San Pasquale. Its foundation stone was laid on November 10, 1723, and the community of Franciscan Friars Minor that resides there remains the organizational soul of the festivities today. Inside the church, the high altar is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, while the statue of Saint Paschal Baylón is kept in the left chapel: from there, every year, it begins its journey through the town's streets.
The novena: nine evenings of preparation
The feast does not begin with the procession, but much earlier, with the solemn novena. Every evening at 7:30 PM, the church fills up for the chanting of litanies, the supplication to Saint Paschal, Eucharistic adoration, and benediction, with a reflection on the Word guided by a preacher invited for the occasion. These are evenings where popular devotion and Franciscan spirituality intertwine, and where specific days are dedicated to the sick, the elderly, healthcare workers, and the Eucharistic Day.
Three days of procession, house by house
The most anticipated moment is the pilgrimage of the statue. After the first morning mass, Saint Paschal leaves the convent carried on the shoulders of devotees dressed in white with red cords, accompanied by the brass band. The procession is not limited to the historic center: it continues for three days, reaching even the most distant rural districts, as tradition dictates that the Saint must pass in front of every family in Airola. It is a long and tiring rite, and for this very reason, it is deeply felt.
Blessed bread and the children's day
Among the most recognizable signs of the feast is the distribution of the blessed bread of Saint Paschal, which the faithful take home. The final day is dedicated to children: at 9:00 AM, at the Oasi della Pace, the floral tribute to the statue and the blessing of the little ones take place. The farewell is spectacular: the statue enters and exits the church three times amidst the festive ringing of bells, and the festivities close with fireworks.
Why it's worth the trip
The Feast of Saint Paschal Baylon is one of the best opportunities to understand how popular religiosity is experienced in the Sannio region and Campania: no stages, no tickets, just an entire town walking behind its Saint. The Municipality of Airola is conveniently located halfway between Benevento and Caserta, at the foot of the Taburno-Camposauro massif, and the visit can be combined with a tour of the villages in the Valle Caudina. All celebrations are open to the public and free of charge.
Saint Paschal Airola — edition 2026
The 2026 Saint Paschal in Airola
The Convento SS. Concezione announced the celebrations for the Feast of Saint Paschal Baylon from May 17 to 19, 2026, following the traditional schedule of the third Sunday of May and the two following days. As always, the festivities were preceded by the solemn novena, nine evenings of preparation dedicated to prayer and listening to the Word.
In the presentation of the edition, the Franciscan Friars Minor described these days as a time of prayer, reflection, and sharing, an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of faith and Franciscan charity around the figure of Saint Paschal, venerated as the Saint of the Eucharist for his humility and his devotion to the Sacrament.
The heart of the feast remained the pilgrimage of the statue: carried on the shoulders of devotees and accompanied by the brass band, it crossed the historic center of Airola and the more distant rural areas of the municipality for three days. The concluding moment, traditionally dedicated to children, closed with the floral tribute at the Oasi della Pace and the fireworks.
Programme Saint Paschal Airola 2026
Structure of the days
The Convento SS. Concezione announced the celebrations from May 17 to 19, 2026, preceded by the solemn novena. The detailed hour-by-hour liturgical calendar was not published online in its entirety: below you will find the structure confirmed for 2026 and that documented by previous editions.
- Before the feast, solemn novena: nine evenings of preparation with chanting of litanies, supplication to Saint Paschal, Eucharistic adoration, benediction, and reflection on the Word.
- Sunday, May 17, third Sunday of May: central day of the feast, with morning masses at the convent and the departure of the statue of Saint Paschal carried on shoulders, accompanied by the brass band.
- Monday, May 18: continuation of the pilgrimage of the statue in the historic center and towards the districts.
- Tuesday, May 19: final day, traditionally dedicated to children, with floral tribute and blessing at the Oasi della Pace, triple entry and exit of the statue from the church amidst the festive ringing of bells, and final fireworks display.
During the festivities, the blessed bread of Saint Paschal is distributed. For the final times, it is advisable to refer to the convent's website, sanpasqualeairola.it, and its Facebook page.
Highlights Saint Paschal Airola 2026
Prices Saint Paschal Airola 2026
Practical information — Saint Paschal Airola
Where it takes place
The celebrations are held at the Convento SS. Concezione, commonly called San Pasquale, at Corso Caudino 33 in Airola (BN). The processions cross the historic center and the rural districts of the municipality.
How to get there
- By car: Airola is located in the Valle Caudina, on the axis between Benevento and Caserta, at the foot of the Taburno; the town is about 25 km from both cities.
- Parking: during the days of the feast, the center is affected by the processions; it is advisable to leave the car in the outer areas and continue on foot.
Mass times at the convent
- Weekdays: 7:30 AM Morning Lauds, 8:00 AM Holy Mass.
- Holidays: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 7:00 PM (8:00 PM during daylight saving time, from March to October).
- The 17th of every month: Eucharistic Adoration at 8:00 PM.
- July and August: Holy Rosary every weekday at 9:00 PM at the Oasi della Pace.
Contacts and information
Convento SS. Concezione, tel. +39 0823 711156, [email protected]. The updated program is published on the website sanpasqualeairola.it and on the convent's Facebook page.
Costs
Free entry to all celebrations, processions, and the final fireworks display.
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Where does it take place — Saint Paschal Airola
Convento SS. Concezione (San Pasquale)
Corso Caudino, 33, 82011 Airola