Patronal Feast Days of San Bernardino da Siena and San Nicola

A festival in the heart of Abruzzo

The Patronal Feast Days of San Bernardino da Siena and San Nicola are the most anticipated event of the year for the town of Gissi, a village in the Vasto hinterland in the province of Chieti, in the heart of Abruzzo. Every year, around May 19th and 20th, the entire community gathers around its patron saints in a blend of religious rites, folk traditions, and festivities that bring the streets of the historic center to life.

The legend of San Bernardino in Gissi

The devotion of the people of Gissi to San Bernardino da Siena is rooted in a fascinating oral tradition. It is said that in 1434, the Franciscan saint arrived in Gissi to preach but was driven away by stone-throwing; as he left, he promised he would return. Over time, the population began to invoke him, and as an act of reparation for that rejection, they built a church for him at the end of the 15th century and chose him as their Protector, setting his feast day for May 20th each year. Gissi is considered the only place in Abruzzo to have San Bernardino da Siena as its titular patron.

The two patron saints

The celebrations are spread over two distinct days:

• May 19th: Dedicated to San Nicola, with Holy Mass at the church of Santa Maria Assunta and the solemn procession;
• May 20th: Dedicated to San Bernardino da Siena, the titular patron, with a solemn Mass and the main procession, followed by secular festivities.

The conche and traditions

A distinctive element of the festival is the characteristic parade of the conche, the traditional decorated copper vessels that are carried through the village alleys alongside a procession in historical costumes and the procession of children receiving their First Communion. The bond between popular devotion and the community is strong: in past editions, the festival has also hosted moments of solidarity, such as the traditional charity raffle to support missions.

Music, shows, and fireworks

Alongside the religious events, the secular program includes shows, comedy performances, concerts by musical groups in Piazza Alcide De Gasperi, and a spectacular finale with fireworks. The patronal feast of Gissi represents a precious opportunity to discover the authenticity of an Abruzzese village and its identity, deeply rooted in faith and tradition.