Patronal Feast of Saint Paul
The feast of the patron saint of San Polo d'Enza, on the anniversary of the Conversion of Saint Paul
About Feast of Saint Paul
The feast of the patron saint of San Polo d'Enza
The Patronal Feast of Saint Paul is the most cherished event in the calendar of San Polo d'Enza, a municipality in the province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. It is celebrated every year around January 25th, the day the Church commemorates the Conversion of Saint Paul: it is no coincidence that the village owes its name to this dedication, which has its roots in the ancient Castrum Sancti Pauli. The feast is organized by the parish, now part of the Pastoral Unit of Terre del Perdono, and involves the entire community, from children to the elderly.
The Castle Church, heart of the feast
The solemn moment takes place in the Castle Church, which became the parish church in 1948 and is located within the ancient fortress of San Polo. The building consists of two distinct spaces connected by a triple archway: the Oratory of Saint John the Baptist and the church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. The origins of the local religious community are very ancient: the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul is already mentioned in 980 in a diploma from Emperor Otto II, and over the centuries the dedication to Saint Paul prevailed until it became definitive.
A feast for the whole community
The Patronal Feast is not just a religious event: it is an occasion for the town to come together. Alongside the solemn Holy Mass, enlivened by the San Paolo choir and with the participation of civil and military authorities, the program offers shows for children and catechism students, a community dinner at the oratory managed by the parish youth groups, and cultural moments such as book presentations related to the town's history.
- Shows and entertainment for the younger generation
- Solemn Holy Mass in the Castle Church
- Act of Entrustment of the community to the patron saint
- Community dinner and moments of conviviality
- Cultural meetings dedicated to local history
An event rooted in the Reggio Emilia territory
For visitors, the Feast of Saint Paul is also an opportunity to discover a charming village in the Apennines of Reggio Emilia, overlooking the Enza river valley, about twenty kilometers from Reggio Emilia. The feast, in the heart of winter, restores the warmth of a community that gathers around its traditions and its patron saint, in a typically Emilian balance between spirituality, culture, and good food.
Feast of Saint Paul — edition 2026
The 2026 celebrations for the patron saint of San Polo d'Enza offered a rich program, capable of engaging all generations of the community, organized by the Pastoral Unit of Terre del Perdono.
The feast began on Saturday, January 24th, with a show for children and young people, continuing in the evening with the traditional community dinner in the oratory hall. On Sunday, January 25th, the day of the Conversion of Saint Paul, the central moment was the solemn Holy Mass in the Castle Church, with the reading of the Act of Entrustment of the community to the patron saint. In the afternoon, a cultural presentation dedicated to local history was held.
Programme Feast of Saint Paul 2026
Saturday, January 24, 2026
- 2:30 PM — Show for children and young people "Trame scintille" by storyteller Marco Bertarini, in the Helder Camara Oratory hall, with the participation of catechism classes
- 7:30 PM — Community dinner in the oratory hall, organized by the youth group "Sentinelle del Mattino" in collaboration with "Orsa Maggiore"
Sunday, January 25, 2026 — Conversion of Saint Paul
- 11:00 AM — Solemn Holy Mass in the Castle Church, with acolytes, altar servers, civil and military authorities, animated by the San Paolo choir; reading of the Act of Entrustment of the community of San Polo d'Enza to the patron saint
- 3:30 PM — Presentation of the book "Una vita che continua. L'esperienza di don Mario Baroncini a San Polo d'Enza. 1949-1968", in the oratory hall; moderator Mirko Bertolini, speakers Franco Bolondi and Luisa Ferrari
Highlights Feast of Saint Paul 2026
Prices Feast of Saint Paul 2026
Practical information — Feast of Saint Paul
When
The Patronal Feast of Saint Paul takes place every year around January 25th, the anniversary of the Conversion of Saint Paul. In 2026, the celebrations were held on Saturday, January 24th, and Sunday, January 25th.
Where
Castle Church and Helder Camara Oratory, in the center of San Polo d'Enza (RE), in Emilia-Romagna.
How to get there
San Polo d'Enza is located about 20 km southwest of Reggio Emilia, along the Enza valley. By car, it can be reached from the SS63 and the provincial roads of the Reggio Emilia hills; the most convenient train station is Reggio Emilia, from which you can continue by bus or car.
Admission
Religious celebrations and feast events are free to enter. The community dinner may require a reservation at the parish.
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Where does it take place — Feast of Saint Paul
Chiesa del Castello (Oratorio Helder Camara)
Chiesa del Castello, Via Castello, 42020 San Polo d'Enza