Feast of Saint Peter of the Celestines
The city's patron saint between faith and popular fair
About Saint Peter of the Celestines Isernia
The Hermit Saint Venerated in Isernia
On May 19th, Isernia, the capital of Molise, celebrates Saint Peter of the Celestines — Peter of Morrone, the Pope who renounced the papal throne — venerated as the city's patron saint according to municipal statute. The feast combines the religious dimension with the civil and popular, involving the entire community of Pentri.
From Novena to Pontifical Mass
The celebrations are preceded by a novena held from May 10th to 18th, with the Holy Rosary at 5:30 PM and Holy Mass at 6:00 PM. On the feast day, the central event is the solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by the Bishop of Isernia-Venafro in the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle.
The Procession of the 'Santone'
The emotional heart of the day is the procession with the statue of the saint, affectionately called the 'Santone' by the people of Isernia, which winds through Corso Marcelli, Piazza Celestino V, Piazza Carducci, and the main streets of the historic center, accompanied by thousands of faithful.
The Fair in the Historic Center
Parallel to the religious celebrations, the streets of the center fill with the traditional fair: stalls, local products, entertainment, and colors transform the heart of the Molise capital into a grand popular festival, a meeting point for the entire city and the surrounding towns in the province.
Saint Peter of the Celestines Isernia — edition 2026
The 2026 Festivities of Saint Peter of the Celestines in Isernia reach their climax on Tuesday, May 19th. The central event is the solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by Bishop Camillo Cibotti in the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle at 6:30 PM.
The procession with the saint's statue departs at 5:15 PM and winds through Corso Marcelli, Piazza Celestino V, Piazza Carducci, Via D'Apollonio, Via Kennedy, and numerous other streets in the center, ending at Piazza Andrea D'Isernia. The festivities are preceded by the novena (May 10-18, Rosary at 5:30 PM and Mass at 6:00 PM) and accompanied by the traditional fair with stalls in the historic center.
Programme Saint Peter of the Celestines Isernia 2026
May 10 to 18 — Novena (Cathedral)
- 5:30 PM — Holy Rosary
- 6:00 PM — Holy Mass
Tuesday, May 19 — Feast of Saint Peter of the Celestines
- From morning — Fair with stalls in the historic center
- 5:15 PM — Procession with the statue of the saint (Corso Marcelli, Piazza Celestino V, Piazza Carducci, and historic center)
- 6:30 PM — Solemn Pontifical Mass by Bishop Camillo Cibotti in the Cathedral
Highlights Saint Peter of the Celestines Isernia 2026
The solemn Pontifical Mass by Bishop Camillo Cibotti; the procession of the 'Santone' through the historic center; the traditional fair.
Prices Saint Peter of the Celestines Isernia 2026
Practical information — Saint Peter of the Celestines Isernia
How to Get There
The Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle and Piazza Celestino V are located in the historic center of Isernia, reachable on foot. Isernia is connected by car via the SS17 and SS650 Trignina roads and by train on the Rome-Campobasso-Isernia line.
Tips
Road traffic modifications are expected in the historic center during the procession. Religious celebrations and the fair are free and open to all.
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Where does it take place — Saint Peter of the Celestines Isernia
Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo e centro storico
Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo, 86170 Isernia