Patronal Feasts of Saint Anne

A devotion dating back to 1399

The Patronal Feasts of Saint Anne in Rezzato, a municipality in the Province of Brescia, are linked to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Valverde and a miraculous event: the apparition of Christ and the Madonna to a farmer that occurred in Valverde in July 1399. For over six centuries, this devotion has marked the religious life of the town, centered around the figure of Saint Anne, mother of Mary.

The historical procession

The heart of the feast is the historical procession on the last Sunday of July, a ceremony of great significance that re-enacts the dual apparition of Christ and the Madonna. The procession winds its way from the parish church to the Sanctuary of Valverde: young costumed participants impersonate saints and theological virtues, while central figures represent Christ, the Madonna, and the farmer who was the protagonist of the apparition.

Religious feast and village celebration

Alongside the rituals, the Patronal Feasts offer the typical elements of a community celebration: a food stand, a children's area with inflatables and baby dance, and musical evenings and entertainment. The funds raised contribute to the activities of the parishes and the inter-parish oratory.

Rezzato and the Sanctuary of Valverde

The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Valverde, nestled in the greenery on the outskirts of Rezzato, is a pilgrimage destination and an identity-defining place for the entire community. The Feasts of Saint Anne are an opportunity to rediscover it, uniting the spiritual and popular dimensions in one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the Brescia hinterland.