Patronage and Maio of Santa Filomena

Two celebrations, one devotion

In Mugnano del Cardinale, a town in the Baianese area of the province of Avellino, the month of January is marked by two inseparable events. On January 10th, the day commemorating the birth of Saint Philomena, the Maio takes place—the town's most defining popular ritual. The following Sunday, the Sanctuary hosts the Patronage feast, which concludes the winter cycle of devotion to Saint Philomena. Together, they form one of the most deeply felt religious traditions in this part of Campania.

The Maio ritual: from the woods to the square

The mai are large logs, typically beech and chestnut, cut in the mountains and transported to town in the days leading up to the festival. On January 10th, they become the stars of a procession that winds through the streets of Mugnano: the teams carry them by hand or tow them with trucks, tractors, and off-road vehicles, in a festive atmosphere that brings together young people, adults, and entire families.

The day begins with a Eucharistic celebration at the Sanctuary. Afterward, the groups head up to the mountain areas or private properties, where another essential moment of the tradition takes place: the communal lunch, simple and authentic, featuring local products. In the late afternoon, the descent toward the town center begins, which is the spectacular heart of the day.

• Logs selected and cut in the local woods; historically, teams competed to bring the tallest trees from the forests of Montella and Bagnoli
• Teams of carriers involving entire families and different generations
• Traditional songs and local food along the entire route
• Wood auction in the square in the following days: proceeds support the August festivities in honor of the Saint

The Sunday of the Patronage

The Patronage falls on the Sunday immediately following January 10th and commemorates the patronage granted to Saint Philomena by Pope Leo XIII in 1896. It is a day of reflection, very different from the energy of the Maio: devotees arrive from all over Italy and abroad to recite the Holy Rosary and attend the solemn mass in the Sanctuary. Among the most cherished gestures of devotion is the blessing of the oil intended for the votive lamps that burn before the relics, a sign of a prayer that never ceases.

The Sanctuary of Santa Filomena

The Sanctuary overlooks Piazza Umberto I and is the town's main place of worship. The church, built between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, was originally dedicated to Saint Mary of Grace; it has housed the body of Saint Philomena, virgin and martyr, since August 10, 1805, when the relics found in the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome were brought to Mugnano. The chapel that still houses them today was built between 1872 and 1877. Since then, the town has become a pilgrimage destination known far beyond Irpinia.

A tradition that renews itself

In the form we see today, the Maio has been consolidated since the 1960s, modeled after the festival in Baiano. Over time, some elements have changed: the old-fashioned firecrackers and trezzaiole have been replaced by safer solutions, in compliance with public safety regulations. The organization and the preservation of its religious and cultural value are managed by the Pro Maio Santa Filomena Association, supported by the festival committee, the Municipality of Mugnano del Cardinale, the parish, and law enforcement, with the support of the civil protection service.

Why it's worth the trip

Those who arrive in Mugnano on January 10th will find something that doesn't resemble a typical food festival: it is an entire town working, singing, and walking together for a whole day, from the woods to the square. The next day, the same community gathers in the Sanctuary, in silence. Witnessing both moments means understanding how popular faith works in Campania: shared effort and devotion, body and prayer, without interruption.