Patronal Feast of Saints Quirico and Giulitta

A patronal feast in the heart of the Marsica

The Patronal Feast of Saints Quirico and Giulitta is the most anticipated event of the year for Sante Marie, a small town in the Marsica area of the L'Aquila province, in the Abruzzo region. Every July, the village gathers around the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie to honor its patron saints with a celebration that weaves together faith, memory, and community life.

Saints Quirico and Giulitta

The devotion has deep, ancient roots. According to tradition, during the Diocletian persecutions, Giulitta and her son Quirico, only three years old, were captured and brought before the Roman governor. When ordered to renounce their Christian faith, little Quirico courageously proclaimed himself a Christian, becoming one of the youngest martyrs of the Church; his mother was subsequently condemned and executed. Their cult, attested in Spain, France, and Italy, is particularly strong in Sante Marie, where the two saints are venerated as the town's protectors. The liturgical calendar commemorates them on June 16th according to the Roman martyrology and July 15th according to Eastern tradition.

The procession and the ritual of the statue

The highlight of the festivities is the procession which, following the solemn mass in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, winds through the streets of the historic center. Accompanied by the marching band, the community parades in an atmosphere of deep devotion and participation. At the end, the ancient rite that makes this feast unique takes place: the family that has hosted the statue of Saint Quirico in their home for the past year returns it to the mother church; after the parish priest's blessing, the statue is handed over to a new host family, who then accompanies it to their home, followed by the band and the faithful.

Reliquary and devotional heritage

The parish houses a precious reliquary containing the relics of the two saints, which was recently restored and carried in a solemn procession to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This heritage serves as the focal point for the novena and the prayer journey that prepares the community for the feast days.

A living tradition

Organized by the Festival Committee with the support of the parish and the municipal administration, the patronal feast of Sante Marie is much more than a religious observance: it is an identity-defining rite that passes customs and traditions down from generation to generation, keeping the connection between the younger generation, the town's history, and the Marsica region alive. The festivities alternate between liturgical services and secular moments in an atmosphere of authentic village conviviality.

The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced: the feast is traditionally held in July.