Festival of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare

Ruffano celebrates Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare 2025

The 2025 edition opened with a novena from September 25 to October 3, with the rosary at 6:00 PM and mass in the Church of Saint Francis. The heart of the celebrations took place on October 3 and 4.

A particularly evocative moment was the infiorata (flower festival) set up in the Church of Saint Clare, titled "Saint Francis, explosion of life" and created for the 800th anniversary of the Saint's death: a path of petals that, from Michelangelo's Creation of Adam to Giotto's Saint Francis in the sky and Van Gogh's starry sky, told the story of life as a divine gift.

The festival combined, as per Salento tradition, the religious and popular dimensions, involving the entire community of Ruffano, in the Province of Lecce.

Friday, October 3, 2025

• 6:30 PM — Solemn Eucharistic concelebration in the Church of Saint Clare, followed by the procession with the statues of Saints Francis and Clare through the town streets, accompanied by the "Città di Taviano" Concert Band.
• Around 8:30 PM — Upon the return of the procession, in Piazza della Libertà: fireworks display and waterfall of lights.
• 9:00 PM — Musical "Il Sarto d'Anime" in Piazza della Libertà.

Saturday, October 4, 2025 — Solemnity of Saint Francis

• 8:00 AM / 10:30 AM / 6:30 PM — Holy masses in the Church of Saint Francis; the evening celebration included the prayer of entrustment of Italy and the parish community to the Saint's patronage.
• Morning — Parade of the "Città di Taviano" Concert Band through the town streets.
• 9:00 PM — Musical evening "Festival Bar Italia" in Piazza della Libertà.

Sunday, October 5, 2025

• Morning — Traditional Saint Francis Fair.

Sunday, October 12, 2025 — Conclusion

• 6:00 PM — Gathering at the Church of Saint Francis; 6:15 PM transfer of the statues to the Church of Saint Clare followed by mass.