Patronal Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Patronal Feast of San Paolo di Civitate

The Patronal Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is the most important annual event for San Paolo di Civitate, a town in the Daunian Subapennine in the province of Foggia, in northern Apulia. Saint Anthony, one of the most beloved Franciscan saints in Italy, is the patron of the local community, which gathers around his image every year around June 13th—the liturgical day of his memory—with a devotion passed down through generations.

Faith and Devotion

The heart of the festival remains deeply religious. In the days leading up to the event, a preparatory novena is celebrated, with moments of prayer and reflection involving the entire parish. On the day of the feast, solemn holy masses are held, followed by the most anticipated moment: the procession of the Saint's statue through the historic center, decorated for the occasion with lights, flowers, and banners. As the statue is carried on the shoulders of the faithful, the community participates in large numbers in an atmosphere of both solemnity and celebration.

The Secular Program

Alongside the liturgical celebrations, a lively secular program brings the town's squares and streets to life for several days. Highlights include evening concerts featuring brass bands and pop artists, folk performances, fairground rides for children, and the traditional fair stalls offering local products and handicrafts. Food stalls serve specialties of Daunian cuisine, while the grand finale is marked by a spectacular fireworks display that illuminates the sky over the village.

A Village of Ancient Daunia

San Paolo di Civitate stands in the area of the ancient Teanum Apulum, between the Tavoliere delle Puglie and the first slopes of the Daunian Subapennine, in a land rich in history and rural traditions. For the town, the patronal feast is not only a religious appointment but also a reunion for the entire community and the many emigrant residents who return to the village during these days to reconnect with their roots and the atmosphere of their homeland.

Information regarding the detailed program is typically released by the Patronal Feast Committee and the parish through official channels in the weeks leading up to the event.