Feast of the Holy Wood of the Cross

The relic of the Holy Wood

The Feast of the Holy Wood of the Cross is one of the most heartfelt religious events in Montagano (province of Campobasso, Molise). It is linked to the precious relic kept in the village's parish church: a fragment of the Holy Wood of the Cross. The festival commemorates the discovery of the Cross on which Jesus died, traditionally attributed to Saint Helena in 327 AD.

The torchlight procession

The most evocative moment is the evening procession on May 2nd, when the village is lit by torches and candles as the procession passes. The flame accompanying the relic through the village streets creates an atmosphere of intense spiritual significance, where devotion and popular tradition merge.

Solemn Mass and Fireworks

On May 3rd, the festival continues with a solemn Mass in honor of the Holy Wood and concludes with fireworks, following the custom that accompanies major religious celebrations in Molise. The community of Montagano gathers around the relic for two days that combine faith, historical memory, and village celebration.

Why it's worth the trip

For visitors, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic village in the hinterland of Campobasso and to witness one of the most evocative torchlight processions in Molise, an expression of ancient and still deeply alive devotion.