Saint Faustinus Festival (Patronal Feast)

Saint Faustinus, a Roman martyr in the heart of Irpinia

The Saint Faustinus Festival is the most cherished event in Pietradefusi, a town of just over two thousand inhabitants in the province of Avellino, nestled in the hilly hinterland of Campania. The relics of the young Roman soldier, who converted to Christianity and died a martyr defending his faith, arrived here thanks to Cardinal Nicola Coscia (1682-1755), a native of the town and Secretary of State to Pope Benedict XIII. Obtained from a family in Benevento, they were authenticated and translated between September 6th and 8th, 1717, to the Church of San Gennaro, where they remained largely forgotten for about 120 years.

The miracle of 1835 and the birth of the cult

The turning point came in 1835: according to tradition reported by the Municipality, the saint appeared in a dream to the elderly paralyzed man Sabato Petrillo, who was healed. The collective emotion was so profound that Saint Faustinus was proclaimed the main patron of Pietradefusi, replacing Saint Lucidus, and from the following year, the name Faustino became extremely popular among newborns in the town. Since then, the statue of the martyr, depicting him in a gentle slumber wearing military attire and sporting long, thick hair, has been the most venerated by local faithful and is kept in the Collegiate Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata, a Greek-cross church with three naves built in 1728 by Cardinal Coscia himself.

Two appointments every year

In Pietradefusi, the patron saint is solemnly celebrated twice a year, with two very different spirits:

• February 15th — the liturgical anniversary: schools remain closed and churches open, with celebrations dedicated to the martyr on the day the calendar reserves for the saint.
• Second Sunday of August — the actual civil festival, which draws emigrants, families, and visitors from neighboring towns, enlivening the town center for an entire day and evening.

The religious program

The devotional aspect has always defined the festivities: the novena of preparation, the solemn masses in the Collegiate Church of the Annunziata, and above all the procession with the statue of the saint along the streets of the village, accompanied by the faithful and the local brass band. It is the moment when the Pietradefusi community gathers in full, blending ancient devotion with a strong sense of belonging.

The civil festival in Piazza Marconi

As evening falls, the focus shifts to Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, the heart of the town's summer events. The central streets are decorated with illuminations, and the civil program alternates between group dances, tastings of local products, brass band concerts, and light music evenings, culminating in the traditional fireworks display that closes the festivities. The atmosphere is that of a genuine Irpinian patronal feast.

The patron saint of singles

In recent decades, Saint Faustinus has gained a curious notoriety: proclaimed by popular belief as the protector of singles—those who do not celebrate Valentine's Day—he attracts young and old alike to Pietradefusi in search of their soulmate, entrusting themselves to the graces of the sleeping saint. The town also maintains a Christian twinning with Brescia, the other Italian city under the protection of Saint Faustinus.

The village, the tower, and the flavors

The festival is also the best opportunity to discover Pietradefusi, on the border between the provinces of Avellino and Benevento. In the historic center, the base of the Aragonese Tower remains, built in 1431 by the feudal lord Giacomo de Tocco as a gathering point for the population in case of invasions. The hamlet of Dentecane is famous throughout Italy for the artisanal production of torrone (nougat) and pantorrone, while the territory offers Taurasi and Aglianico wine, Camponica hazelnuts, and acacia honey. In the days immediately preceding the patronal feast, Piazza Marconi itself hosts the Fusillo and Pietrafusana Braciola Festival, one of the longest-running food festivals in Irpinia: those arriving for the patron saint will therefore find an entire weekend of tradition and gastronomy.

The 2026 edition

At the time of writing, the official dates for the 2026 civil festivities have not yet been published by the Municipality or the parish. Custom, confirmed by all local sources, places the festival on the second Sunday of August, while the liturgical anniversary remains fixed on February 15th. It is advisable to check the final program on the Municipality and parish channels in the weeks leading up to the event.