Saint Anne Festival (Patron Saint of Unborn Life)
Four days of devotion in Pietrelcina at the church where Padre Pio was baptized
About Saint Anne Festival
Saint Anne, patron saint of unborn life
In Pietrelcina, a small town in the Province of Benevento, Campania, the end of July is dedicated to Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, who is venerated here with a very specific title: patron saint of unborn life. This is no abstract devotional formula: the community builds concrete liturgical gestures around this patronage, from the blessing of expectant mothers to that of grandparents, representing the two ends of the generational chain. The festival is promoted by the Santa Maria degli Angeli parish together with the «San Pio da Pietrelcina» diocesan shrine and is part of the Diocese of Benevento's calendar of celebrations.
The church where Padre Pio was baptized
The heart of the festival is the Saint Anne church, the oldest in the town, which served as the parish church for centuries. It is located at the highest point of the historic center, on the rocky spur of Morgione, in the Rione Castello district: a maze of alleys, arches, and stairways that remains intact. Destroyed by the 1688 earthquake, the church was rebuilt at the behest of Cardinal Vincenzo Maria Orsini, the future Pope Benedict XIII.
Here, on May 26, 1887, the day after his birth, little Francesco Forgione — the future Saint Pio of Pietrelcina — was baptized: the baptismal font is still visible in a niche in the nave. In this same church, Padre Pio made his first communion and confirmation, and as a priest, he celebrated Mass for years. Beneath the bust of Saint Anne, a reliquary preserves the relics of Saint Pio the Martyr, from whom — according to local tradition — Francesco took his religious name. This is why this festival is never just a local village feast.
Four days of celebrations
The program takes place between July 23 and 26 and has a clear structure, entirely built around the movement of the saint's statue between the town's two churches.
- The opening: Eucharistic adoration and Holy Mass in the Saint Anne church in the historic center, followed by the procession toward the parish church.
- The central days: the statue remains on display in the parish church, where the celebrations are concentrated, until July 26.
- The solemn celebration: in 2026, it was presided over by Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Metropolitan Archbishop of Naples.
- The closing on July 26: a day of liturgical celebrations, a procession toward the oratory, Mass with the blessing of grandparents and expectant mothers, and the return of the statue to the Saint Anne church.
The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
The final Sunday coincides with the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which the Church celebrates every year on the Sunday closest to the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, July 26. In Pietrelcina, this overlap is particularly significant: the blessing of grandparents and that of expectant mothers take place in the same celebration, giving the festival a familiar and intergenerational tone clearly visible in the pews filled with entire families.
Pietrelcina, the town of Saint Pio
Pietrelcina is a pilgrimage destination all year round. In addition to the Saint Anne church, visitors will find the Santa Maria degli Angeli church, now a diocesan shrine, where Padre Pio celebrated his first Mass on August 14, 1910, the saint's birthplace, the medieval tower, and the Piana Romana complex with the elm tree under which, according to tradition, the friar received the invisible stigmata in 1910. Those arriving for the Saint Anne festival can easily combine participation in the celebrations with a visit to the sites related to Padre Pio, all within walking distance.
Why it is worth a visit
This is not a festival built for tourism: it is a local devotion that continues to thrive because the community identifies with it. Those who arrive in Pietrelcina during these days will find the historic center lively, the statue carried on shoulders through the alleys of the Rione Castello, and the elderly and children in the same procession: four intense days for those who want to understand how popular faith is lived in the Sannio region.
Information and updates
The detailed program — Mass times, the celebrant's name, the time of the procession — is released every year by the parish and the San Pio diocesan shrine, with posters displayed in town and communications from the Diocese of Benevento. Times may vary from one edition to another: it is always useful to check the official flyer before setting off.
Saint Anne Festival — edition 2026
Four days between the town's two churches
In 2026, the Saint Anne Festival in Pietrelcina, in the Province of Benevento, took place from July 23 to 26 on the initiative of the Santa Maria degli Angeli parish and the «San Pio da Pietrelcina» diocesan shrine. The central theme was, as per tradition, the route of the saint's statue between the Saint Anne church in the historic center and the parish church.
On Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 PM, Eucharistic adoration and Holy Mass in the Saint Anne church — the same one where little Francesco Forgione was baptized on May 26, 1887 — opened the festivities; this was followed by the procession toward the parish church, where the statue remained on display until July 26.
The most solemn moment of the edition was the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Metropolitan Archbishop of Naples, who was welcomed to the town by Mayor Salvatore Mazzone, parish priest Father Daniele Moffa, and the President of the Province of Benevento, Nino Lombardi.
Sunday, July 26, coinciding with the 6th World Day for Grandparents, featured liturgical celebrations throughout the day, the procession toward the oratory at 7:00 PM, and at 8:00 PM, the Eucharistic celebration with the blessing of grandparents and expectant mothers, before the return of the statue to the Saint Anne church.
Programme Saint Anne Festival 2026
Program of the 2026 celebrations, promoted by the Santa Maria degli Angeli parish and the «San Pio da Pietrelcina» diocesan shrine.
- Thursday, July 23, 7:30 PM — Saint Anne Church (historic center): Eucharistic adoration and Holy Mass, followed by the procession toward the parish church, where the statue of Saint Anne remained on display until July 26.
- Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26 — Celebrations in the parish church, before the displayed statue of the saint.
- Saturday, July 25 — Eucharistic celebration presided over by Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Metropolitan Archbishop of Naples.
- Sunday, July 26 — 6th World Day for Grandparents: liturgical celebrations throughout the day.
- Sunday, July 26, 7:00 PM — Procession toward the oratory.
- Sunday, July 26, 8:00 PM — Eucharistic celebration with the blessing of grandparents and expectant mothers; followed by the return of the statue to the Saint Anne church.
During the same period, festivities for Maria Santissima della Libera, co-patron of the town, continued in Pietrelcina, concluding on August 2, 2026, with a Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Benevento, Monsignor Michele Autuoro.
Highlights Saint Anne Festival 2026
- The Eucharistic adoration and Mass on July 23 in the Saint Anne church, the oldest in Pietrelcina, where Padre Pio was baptized.
- The procession of the statue from the historic center to the parish church, where the saint remained on display for four days.
- The celebration presided over by Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples, on Saturday, July 25.
- The blessing of grandparents and expectant mothers, Sunday, July 26 at 8:00 PM, on the day of the 6th World Day for Grandparents.
- The evening procession toward the oratory, at 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 26.
Prices Saint Anne Festival 2026
Practical information — Saint Anne Festival
How to get there
By car: Pietrelcina is located about 13 km from Benevento, along the state road 212 of the Val Fortore. From Naples, take the A16 motorway to Benevento and continue toward Pietrelcina. The historic center is pedestrianized and uphill: it is best to leave your car in the parking lots in the lower part of the town and continue on foot.
By train: the reference station is Benevento Centrale, connected to Naples, Caserta, and Foggia; from there, continue by local bus to Pietrelcina or by taxi.
By plane: Naples Capodichino Airport is the closest, about an hour and a half away by car.
Admission and costs
All celebrations are free of charge. No tickets are required for Masses, Eucharistic adoration, or processions.
Tips
- The Saint Anne church is reached by climbing the alleys and stairways of the Rione Castello: comfortable shoes are essential.
- For the solemn celebration and the procession on July 26, it is advisable to arrive well in advance: the church is small and fills up quickly.
- Clothing suitable for a place of worship (shoulders and knees covered) is required.
- Take advantage of your visit to see Padre Pio's birthplace and Piana Romana, both within a short distance.
- For accommodation, B&B options are concentrated in Pietrelcina and Benevento: during the festival weekend, it is best to book in advance.
Contacts
Parrocchia Santa Maria degli Angeli — Santuario diocesano «San Pio da Pietrelcina», Piazza SS. Annunziata, 82020 Pietrelcina (BN) — tel. +39 0824 991304.
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Where does it take place — Saint Anne Festival
Chiesa di Sant'Anna (Rione Castello) e chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Maria degli Angeli
Rione Castello, 82020 Pietrelcina