Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The Patronal Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Bagnoli Irpino: four days of vows, processions, and the singing of the Verginelle
About June Immaculate Conception Feast
A patronal feast celebrated in June
In the town of Bagnoli Irpino, in the province of Avellino, devotion to the Immaculate Conception follows its own calendar. Alongside the December 8th recurrence, the town celebrates the Patronal Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the height of summer, in the days following the octave of Corpus Christi: a movable date that the parish priest announces from the altar each year, which locals simply call "the June feast." It is the town's biggest celebration, drawing emigrants and families from all over Italy back to Irpinia.
The vow of 1799
Its origin is documented and dramatic. In May 1799, during the Parthenopean Republic, a French brigade led by General Olivier moved toward Bagnoli to punish the anti-republican revolt. Upon reaching the Malo Passo gorge near Volturara Irpina, the soldiers stopped and turned back, urgently recalled to Capua. The population, who had prayed before the statue of the Immaculate Conception in the collegiate church, attributed their salvation to the Virgin's intercession. In the second half of June that same year, the town Parliament decreed the feast and pledged to donate twenty ducats annually. Celebrated solemnly until 1805 and suspended during the return of the French, the feast was officially restored in 1838 and has continued uninterrupted ever since.
The rites that make the feast unique
The religious program is dense and highly attended. It opens on Saturday with sung litanies, the opening procession, and the enthronement of the statue on the float; at midnight, after the vigil, mass is celebrated with the presentation of petitions and thanksgivings written by the faithful. The following days feature the entrustment of children to Mary, the two great processions that separately traverse the South and North sides of the town, the offering of the Ducali, the kissing of the Relic, and the Liturgy of the Oil for the elderly and sick.
- The singing of the Verginelle: the town's young girls sing the ancient 18th-century hymn dedicated to the Immaculate, one of the most moving moments of the entire feast.
- The offering of the Ducali: the living memory of the twenty ducats promised by the town Parliament in 1799.
- The South and North side processions: two distinct days so the statue can reach every street and district.
- The night vigil and midnight mass, with confessions available throughout the night.
The secular program: bands, concerts, and fireworks
The religious events are always accompanied by a lively street festival. The days begin at dawn with the marching bands (the historic "Circolo Sociale Culturale 2000" and the "Città di Bagnoli Irpino" association) touring the town, joined by a guest band invited for the evening symphonic concert, a highly anticipated event for band music enthusiasts. In Piazza L. Di Capua, family entertainment, DJ sets, and concerts by cover bands or Italian pop groups take place. The grand finale, on the night closing the festivities, is the fireworks display, followed the next day by the traditional public auction of gifts in kind offered by the faithful. Artistic decorations and illuminations transform the historic center for the entire duration of the feast.
Bagnoli Irpino and the Laceno plateau
Located at about 650 meters above sea level in the Picentini Mountains, in Campania, Bagnoli Irpino is known for its black truffle, chestnuts, and the Laceno plateau, with its lake and ski slopes. The town houses a wooden choir and an artistic heritage of great value in the collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta. Participating in the June feast means discovering, along with a popular rite that has remained intact for over two centuries, one of the most characteristic villages of Upper Irpinia, a short distance from Avellino and the Picentini Mountains Regional Park.
Useful information
The feast lasts four days, from Saturday to Tuesday, and takes place between the collegiate church, the streets of the historic center, and Piazza Di Capua. All religious and secular events are free to attend. The date changes every year as it is linked to the liturgical calendar: it is advisable to check the parish announcement in the weeks preceding Corpus Christi.
June Immaculate Conception Feast — edition 2026
2026 Immaculate Conception Feast in Bagnoli Irpino
In 2026, the Patronage of the Immaculate Conception fell from June 13 to 16, according to the calendar linked to the octave of Corpus Christi. Parish priest Father Stefano Dell'Angelo led the celebrations in the collegiate church, with liturgical animation by the parish Schola Cantorum and confessions entrusted to Father Mario Ravanni during the vigil.
The highlight was Monday, June 15, the day of the Patronage: solemn mass presided over by Msgr. Pasquale Cascio, Archbishop of Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi-Conza-Nusco-Bisaccia, with the offering of the Ducali and the kissing of the Relic; in the evening, the North side procession accompanied by the singing of the Verginelle. On the secular front, Sunday featured a concert by Santo California and Monday the traditional appointment with symphonic music, while the night between Monday and Tuesday closed with fireworks by the Di Matteo company. Lighting and decorations were managed by ART LUX srl of Paternopoli.
Programme June Immaculate Conception Feast 2026
Religious Program
Saturday, June 13
- 18:00 — Solemn Holy Mass
- 19:00 — Sung litanies, opening of festivities, procession, enthronement on the float, petition, and Eucharistic blessing
- 22:00 — Start of the vigil in honor of Mary
- 24:00 — Holy Mass with the presentation of written petitions and thanksgivings
Sunday, June 14
- 09:30 — Holy Mass
- 11:00 — Solemn Mass with homily and entrustment of children to Mary
- 18:30 — South side procession and Eucharistic blessing
Monday, June 15 — Patronal Feast
- 09:30 — Holy Mass
- 11:00 — Solemn Mass by Archbishop Msgr. Pasquale Cascio, with the offering of the Ducali and kissing of the Relic
- 18:30 — North side procession with the singing of the Verginelle directed by Maestro Domenico Nigro and Eucharistic blessing
Tuesday, June 16
- 08:30 — Holy Mass and Liturgy of the Oil for the elderly and sick
- 11:00 — Solemn Holy Mass, sung litanies, procession, petition, and closing of festivities
Liturgical animation by the parish Schola Cantorum. Confessions with Father Mario Ravanni during the vigil and at extra-liturgical times.
Secular Program
Saturday, June 13
- 12:00 — Opening with shots and a tour of the town by the "Circolo Sociale Culturale 2000" marching band
Sunday, June 14
- 08:00 — Tour of the town by the "Circolo Sociale Culturale 2000" band
- 10:30 — Entertainment in Piazza Di Capua
- 22:00 — Santo California in concert
Monday, June 15
- 08:00 — Tour of the town by the "Città di Bagnoli Irpino" band
- 09:00 — Arrival of the "Paolo Falcicchio" band from Gioia del Colle, directed by Maestro Susanna Pescetti
- 22:30 — Symphonic music concert
Tuesday, June 16
- 00:30 — Fireworks by the Di Matteo company
- 17:30 — Public auction of gifts in kind
Decorations and artistic lighting by the company ART LUX srl of Paternopoli. Parish priest: Father Stefano Dell'Angelo.
Highlights June Immaculate Conception Feast 2026
- The Saturday night vigil with midnight Holy Mass and the presentation of written petitions
- The two great processions: South side on Sunday, North side on Monday
- The solemn Patronal Mass with Msgr. Pasquale Cascio, the offering of the Ducali, and the kissing of the Relic
- The singing of the Verginelle directed by Maestro Domenico Nigro
- The concert by Santo California in Piazza Di Capua
- The symphonic music concert on Monday evening
- Fireworks by the Di Matteo company on the night between Monday and Tuesday
- The public auction of gifts in kind on Tuesday afternoon
Prices June Immaculate Conception Feast 2026
Practical information — June Immaculate Conception Feast
How to get there
By car: take the Lioni-Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi or Serino exit from the Avellino-Salerno highway, then follow provincial roads to Bagnoli Irpino (about 45 km from Avellino, 60 km from Salerno). By train: reach the Avellino or Salerno station, then take the Air Campania bus lines to Upper Irpinia.
Where it takes place
Religious celebrations are held in the collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta in Piazza Umberto I; processions traverse the historic center (South and North sides); evening shows and concerts are held in Piazza L. Di Capua.
Costs
Free entry to all celebrations, concerts, and the fireworks display.
Tips
Evenings at this altitude can be chilly even in June: bring a sweatshirt. The historic center is closed to traffic during processions; it is best to park in areas outside the town. During the feast days, it is advisable to book restaurants and accommodation in advance, including those toward the Laceno plateau.
Contacts
Parrocchia Santa Maria Assunta, Piazza Umberto I, 83043 Bagnoli Irpino (AV) — tel. +39 0827 62105.
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Where does it take place — June Immaculate Conception Feast
Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta e piazza L. Di Capua
Piazza Umberto I, 83043 Bagnoli Irpino