Patronal Feast of Saint Raphael the Archangel and Saint Mary of the Mount – Pilgrimage to Madonna del Monte

The Patronal Feast of Castiglione Messer Marino

In the heart of the upper Vastese, in the mountains bordering Abruzzo and Molise, the town of Castiglione Messer Marino (Chieti province) celebrates its Patronal Feast every September, dedicated to Saint Raphael the Archangel, the town's patron saint, and Saint Mary of the Mount. Traditionally spanning three days, from September 10th to 12th, the celebrations weave together religious and secular dimensions, drawing devotees, returning emigrants, and visitors from across the region.

The Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte

The most heartfelt moment is the pilgrimage on September 11th to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte, which stands in the evocative Lupara area, at an altitude of about 1,200 meters, amidst the woods overlooking the town. The sanctuary houses an ancient statue of the Madonna and Child and traces its roots back to a Franciscan complex documented as early as the first decades of the 16th century. According to popular tradition, the statue was miraculously found among the trees by a shepherdess, sparking a devotion that has been passed down for centuries.

The Statue Carried by Women

What makes this festival unique is the central role played by the local women. The statue of the Madonna is carried in procession on the shoulders of women, preceded by a double file of worshippers carrying baskets filled with wheat and other votive offerings. It is an ancient, emotionally powerful rite; on September 12th, dozens of women gather in the church with their baskets to accompany the sacred image. Furthermore, every seven years, the Madonna is taken in a solemn procession all the way to the mountain sanctuary: an extraordinary event highly anticipated by the entire community.

Faith, Music, and the Flavors of Abruzzo

Alongside the liturgies and processions, the Patronal Feast offers moments of celebration and conviviality: folk music, shows, and concerts in the square, as well as food stalls featuring local specialties – above all the famous Ventricina del Vastese – all set against the warm atmosphere of the Apennine villages. In recent years, the lineup has also hosted well-known names in Italian music, such as the Enrico Ruggeri concert on September 11, 2024.

A Heritage to Experience

Participating in the Patronal Feast of Castiglione Messer Marino means immersing yourself in one of the most authentic expressions of Abruzzese religious folklore, where the mountain landscape, rural memory, and popular spirituality merge into an intense and genuine experience, far from mass tourism circuits.