Procession of the Madonna Addolorata of San Rocco

An ancient devotion in the heart of Aversa

Every year, on the Sunday before Palm Sunday, the city of Aversa, in the heart of the Aversa area in the province of Caserta, pauses to pay homage to the Madonna Addolorata of San Rocco. It is one of the most deeply rooted traditions in the city's religious calendar: the procession symbolically marks the beginning of the journey toward Easter and involves not only the faithful but the entire community, with the participation of civil, military, and religious authorities.

The statue known as 'la Povera'

The venerated effigy kept in the Church of San Rocco, in the ancient Sant'Andrea market district, was donated in 1850 by an anonymous benefactor. Due to its modest heritage, the statue of the Addolorata has been known for generations by the affectionate name 'la Povera'. Her image, with a face marked by sorrow, is carried solemnly through the streets to the touching notes of the hymn composed by Aversa native Domenico Parmeggiano, which has accompanied this moment of collective reflection since time immemorial.

Rites, taralli, and traditions

The procession preserves customs handed down for centuries. The women of the Maria Santissima dell'Addolorata association parade dressed in white, a symbol of purity, carrying baskets of flowers and the typical Addolorata white taralli, votive pastries inextricably linked to this occasion. The men carry the scalatta, which recalls the ascent to Calvary and the cross of Christ. The organization is entrusted to the Confraternity of San Rocco, whose origins date back to 1641.

The route and stops

The long itinerary crosses the Norman historic center of Aversa, touching dozens of streets and squares, from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to Piazza Municipio and Piazza Crispi, concluding with the moving return of 'la Povera' to the Church of San Rocco. The procession does not forget those who cannot participate: among the most heartfelt stops are those at the Filippo Saporito Prison, the Sagliano nursing home, and the Carabinieri barracks, gestures that make the procession an embrace of the entire city.

The seven Fridays of preparation

The procession is the culmination of a spiritual journey that lasts for weeks. During the Fridays of Lent, the 'Seven Fridays' of the Madonna Addolorata are celebrated, with evening services and Stations of the Cross that prepare the Aversa community for the most awaited event of the year, which throws open the doors to Holy Week and Easter.