Feast of Saint Roch

A centuries-old devotion in the heart of Ciociaria

The Feast of Saint Roch is one of the most cherished events of the summer in Sora, a town in southern Lazio crossed by the Liri River, in the province of Frosinone. Devotion to the pilgrim saint of Montpellier, invoked for centuries against the plague and epidemics, revolves around the 17th-century church dedicated to him at the entrance to the city. The festival is organized by the Archconfraternity of Saint Roch and its festival committee, under the patronage of the Municipality of Sora and the Province of Frosinone.

August 16th: Dawn masses and the procession

On the day of the liturgical feast, August 16th, the church comes alive at the first light of dawn: masses are held from 6:00 AM, and the solemn concelebration, presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Sora-Cassino-Aquino-Pontecorvo, opens the day. Immediately after, the procession winds through the city streets, accompanied by the Sora Symphonic Band, with confraternities parading while carrying traditional candles. There is no shortage of ancient acts of popular piety: some faithful follow the procession barefoot as a sign of penance, and every year young pilgrims from Banzano di Montoro stop in Sora during their journey between the cities that celebrate the saint.

The blessing of the dogs, the most curious ritual

The most distinctive moment arrives on August 17th in the late afternoon, with the traditional blessing of the dogs on the church parvis. The ritual recalls the iconography of the saint, always depicted with the dog that, according to legend, brought him bread during his illness. Owners and their four-legged friends gather for a simple and highly attended ceremony, which has become one of the symbols of the Sora festival.

Evening entertainment

Alongside the religious program, the committee organizes two evenings of music and entertainment with free admission. Over the years, famous names in Italian music have graced the Saint Roch stage: in 2024, Gli Euphoria and Bobby Solo; in 2025, the "Destinazione '90" show and the grand concert by I Camaleonti; while in the past, the festival has also hosted Anna Tatangelo, an artist born in Sora. The program is completed by the band's matinée, the festive illuminations lighting up the neighborhood, and the lottery draw that concludes the festivities.

An identity-defining festival for Sora and Lazio

For the community of Sora, the Feast of Saint Roch is much more than a calendar date: it is an identity-defining moment that unites generations, calls back emigrants for the Ferragosto holiday, and attracts visitors from all over the Liri Valley and the Ciociaria. Those in Lazio in mid-August will find here one of the most authentic expressions of the region's popular religiosity, amidst faith, brass bands, illuminations, and music under the stars.