Saint Desiderius Festival - Patronal Feast of Correzzana

Saint Desiderius, Patron Saint of Correzzana

Correzzana, a municipality in the province of Monza and Brianza, celebrates its patron saint Saint Desiderius, a martyr commemorated on May 23rd, the day of his martyrdom. The patronal feast is the most cherished event in the town and unfolds over an entire week, intertwining religious moments with civil and popular celebrations. The parish of Saint Desiderius has been documented since the 13th century, and the current parish church, commissioned by Don Biagio Volonteri, dates back to 1873: behind the altar, it once housed the first Grotto of Lourdes ever built in Brianza.

A Week Between Sacred and Profane

The Saint Desiderius festival is built on an ancient balance between spirituality and conviviality. Alongside solemn masses and the procession, the calendar offers moments of reflection interspersed with evenings of pure joy, featuring live music, dancing, themed dinners, and catering services. It is a festival that involves all generations and centers on the community spirit of this Brianza town.

The Palio dei Correzzanesi

The most anticipated and defining moment of the festival is the Palio dei Correzzanesi, a light-hearted challenge between the town's districts and groups through traditional games: tug-of-war, sack races, potato peeling contests, and other challenges that elicit laughter and ignite competition among participants. The Palio takes place at the sports center on Via Principale, the heart of the festivities, organized with the contribution of the Correzzana Amateur Sports Association.

Dinners in the Piazza, Street Food, and Fireworks

The festival also enlivens the town's streets, particularly Via San Desiderio, with dinners in the piazza and street food, bouncy castles, and activities for children, culminating in the fireworks display that lights up the Correzzana sky. Between the oratory, the sports center, and the town streets, the Saint Desiderius festival is the best opportunity to discover the community life of an authentic village in Monza Brianza.