Patronal Feast of Saint Roch

The patron saint of the Molise coast

In Petacciato, a village overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the province of Campobasso, the Patronal Feast of Saint Roch is the most cherished event of the summer. The saint from Montpellier, a pilgrim and protector against plagues, has been venerated here for centuries, and his feast day, which falls on August 16th, draws emigrants, tourists, and faithful from neighboring towns.

The novena and the flower carpet

The celebrations begin with the novena, nine days of services that prepare for the solemnity. Two days before the feast, the women of the community create a large flower carpet in honor of the saint, a tapestry of petals that decorates the streets along the procession route.

The day of August 16th

On the feast day, a solemn Mass is celebrated, often presided over by the Bishop of the diocese, followed by the procession that carries the statue of Saint Roch through the streets of the historic center. Associations and confraternities parade and offer incense to the saint. In Petacciato, the feast also preserves the tradition of the Fucilieri (Riflemen), young people in festive attire who, according to a 19th-century custom, accompany solemn moments with blank shots.

The popular celebration

Alongside the religious dimension, the feast becomes an occasion for the entire community to gather: stalls selling sweets, concerts, shows in the piazza, and the unmissable final fireworks display that lights up the sky above the village and the sea. It is one of the moments when Petacciato best shows its identity, marked by devotion, hospitality, and typically Molise conviviality.