Patronal Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua
Two weeks of the 'tredicina' prayer, processions, and concerts in the Sannio village of Paupisi
About Saint Anthony Feast in Paupisi
The Patron Saint of Paupisi
In Paupisi, a village of just over 1,300 inhabitants perched 320 meters above sea level between the Taburno mountains and the Calore river, Saint Anthony of Padua is more than just a date on the liturgical calendar: he is the cornerstone of the town's identity. The Patronal Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is the most anticipated event of the year for this municipality in the Province of Benevento, Campania, and spans an unusually long period, from the last Sunday of May until mid-June.
The 'tredicina': the Saint visits the districts
The religious heart of the festival is the tredicina, the thirteen days of prayer leading up to June 13th. In Paupisi, the tredicina is not held in a single location: every evening at 6:00 PM, the statue of Saint Anthony is welcomed in a different district, where prayers are recited and mass is celebrated. It is a true peregrinatio within the town's borders, bringing the Saint into everyone's homes.
- Santa Maria del Bosco Parish Church, the starting and ending point
- Santo Stefano Church and Maria SS. di Pagani Sanctuary
- The districts: Scafa, San Pietro, Frasso, Mandarisi, Rapisti, Cesine, Marrone
- Largo Pagani, in front of the Flood Monument, and Largo Urpi
- The cemetery square, for the evening dedicated to the community's deceased
This itinerant format is what makes the Paupisi festival unique compared to many other patronal feasts in the Sannio region: no neighborhood is left out, and every evening a different group of families prepares the altar, chairs, and flowers.
June 13th, the Saint's Day
The feast day begins at 10:30 AM with a solemn mass in the Parish Church, led by the parish priest, Father Cosimo Iadanza. Afterward, the procession winds through the streets of the town, the most moving and well-attended moment: the statue advances through lines of the faithful, with women carrying candles and children in the front row. In the evening, at 6:00 PM, a final celebration returns the Saint to his niche.
Mayor Salvatore Coletta has described this day as a moment that unites faith, tradition, and community identity—an opportunity to rediscover the value of roots, solidarity, and a sense of belonging. This description captures the spirit of the town perfectly: the festival is both an act of devotion and a social gathering, the day when emigrants and children living away return home.
The secular program: music in Largo G. De Marco
Alongside the religious events, the Festival Committee organizes two evenings of entertainment in Largo G. De Marco, the square that becomes Paupisi's stage for the occasion. In recent years, the program has featured tributes to Neapolitan and Italian music, ballroom dancing, comedy shows, and concerts by well-known artists: in 2025, comedian Peppe Iodice performed, while in 2026, singer-songwriter Povia was invited to close the festivities. There is always a food stand offering sandwiches and local specialties, and at the end of the evening, fireworks in honor of the Saint light up the entire valley.
June, a month of events in Paupisi
The patronal feast also serves as the opening of the summer season: in the following weeks, the town hosts other events promoted by the Pro Loco Paupisi APS and the Municipality, from the lyrical concert of the Corale Paupisius to the Montanara Festival. For those visiting the Sannio region, June is therefore the best time to understand how a village in this part of Campania lives.
What to see nearby
Paupisi is located just a few kilometers from Torrecuso and Ponte, in the wine-growing area of Aglianico del Taburno and Falanghina del Sannio: a stop at a local winery is the perfect way to complete the day. The Taburno-Camposauro Regional Park offers trails and views of the Telesina valley, while Benevento, with its Arch of Trajan and Roman Theater, is just over twenty kilometers away.
Saint Anthony Feast in Paupisi — edition 2026
A fifteen-day edition
In 2026, the festivities in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua in Paupisi were officially announced at the beginning of May and opened on Sunday, May 31, with holy mass and the enthronement of the Saint in the Santa Maria del Bosco Parish Church. From there, the 'tredicina' began, which every evening at 6:00 PM brought the statue to a different place in the town, from the Church of Santo Stefano to the Sanctuary of Maria SS. di Pagani, passing through the districts of Scafa, San Pietro, Frasso, Mandarisi, Rapisti, Cesine, and Marrone, as well as Largo Pagani, Largo Urpi, and the cemetery square.
June 13th and 14th
On Saturday, June 13, the patron saint's day, the 10:30 AM solemn mass was followed by the procession through the town's streets; in the evening, the 6:00 PM celebration marked the repositioning of the Saint. At 9:00 PM, in Largo G. De Marco, Diego Sanchez performed his tribute to Massimo Ranieri; on Sunday, June 14, at the same time and place, the concert by Povia, featuring his most famous songs, closed the secular program before the fireworks display. A food stand with sandwiches was available every evening.
The Mayor's words
Mayor Salvatore Coletta accompanied the festival with a message to the community, defining Saint Anthony as a symbol of hope, protection, and closeness for the families of Paupisi, and the event as a moment that unites faith, tradition, and identity. The 'tredicina' was led by parish priest Father Cosimo Iadanza.
Programme Saint Anthony Feast in Paupisi 2026
Religious program — 'tredicina', every evening at 6:00 PM
- Sunday, May 31 — Santa Maria del Bosco Parish Church: holy mass, enthronement of the Saint, and start of the traditional 'tredicina'
- Monday, June 1 — Church of Santo Stefano
- Tuesday, June 2 — Largo Pagani (Flood Monument)
- Wednesday, June 3 — Scafa District
- Thursday, June 4 — San Pietro District
- Friday, June 5 — Frasso District
- Saturday, June 6 — Mandarisi District
- Sunday, June 7 — Cemetery Square
- Monday, June 8 — Rapisti District
- Tuesday, June 9 — Cesine District
- Wednesday, June 10 — Marrone District
- Thursday, June 11 — Maria SS. di Pagani Sanctuary
- Friday, June 12 — Largo Urpi
Saturday, June 13 — Patron Saint's Feast
- 10:30 AM, Parish Church: solemn holy mass
- Afterward: solemn procession through the town streets
- 6:00 PM, Parish Church: celebration with repositioning of the Saint
- 9:00 PM, Largo G. De Marco: Diego Sanchez in Tribute to Massimo Ranieri
Sunday, June 14 — Closing
- 9:00 PM, Largo G. De Marco: concert by Povia
- Following: fireworks display in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua
Services
- Food stand with sandwiches during evening events
Highlights Saint Anthony Feast in Paupisi 2026
- The itinerant 'tredicina': thirteen evenings, thirteen different locations in the town, from districts to churches and squares
- The June 13 procession through the streets of Paupisi, the most attended moment of the year
- Diego Sanchez with the tribute to Massimo Ranieri, Saturday, June 13 in Largo G. De Marco
- The concert by Povia, Sunday, June 14, closing the secular program
- The final fireworks, visible from much of the valley
- The food stand with sandwiches, a meeting point for the evenings
Prices Saint Anthony Feast in Paupisi 2026
Practical information — Saint Anthony Feast in Paupisi
How to get there
By car: take the Ponte or Vitulano exit from the SS 372 Telesina highway, then follow provincial roads toward Paupisi; about 20 km from Benevento (25 minutes). By train: the most convenient station is Ponte-Casalduni on the Benevento-Campobasso line, or Benevento Centrale with a bus connection. By plane: Naples Capodichino Airport, about 80 km away.
Where it takes place
Religious celebrations are held at the Santa Maria del Bosco Parish Church, the Santo Stefano Church, the Maria SS. di Pagani Sanctuary, and in the town's districts. Evening shows take place in Largo G. De Marco, in the town center.
Admission and services
Events take place in churches and public spaces with free access. A food stand is active during the evening events. Parking is available in the streets adjacent to the center: on concert nights, it is advisable to arrive a little early as space is limited.
Tips
For the June 13th procession, wear comfortable shoes and, if you plan to follow the entire route, allow for about an hour and a half of walking. For updated information on the program, you can contact the Municipality of Paupisi at +39 0824 872481 or check the social media pages of the Santa Maria del Bosco Parish and Pro Loco Paupisi.
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Where does it take place — Saint Anthony Feast in Paupisi
Chiesa Parrocchiale Santa Maria del Bosco e Largo G. De Marco
Largo G. De Marco, 82030 Paupisi