Saint Gerardo Patronal Feast
On August 10th and 11th, Gallinaro welcomes pilgrims journeying to the Sanctuary of its patron saint
About Saint Gerardo Feast
A pilgrims' festival in the heart of the Comino Valley
The Saint Gerardo Patronal Feast is the most iconic event in Gallinaro, a village of a few thousand inhabitants in the Municipality of Gallinaro, in the province of Frosinone, in the Lazio Region. It is celebrated every year on August 10th and 11th, fixed dates that the community has never changed, transforming a quiet Comino Valley town into a convergence point for devotees arriving from all over Central Italy and, every summer, from abroad as well.
The heart of the festival is the Sanctuary of Saint Gerardo Confessore, located on Via San Gerardo, which dates back to the 12th century, built on the burial site of the Saint and his fellow pilgrims. The oldest documented mention of the church dates back to 1259, in a will kept at the Abbey of Montecassino; in 1685, the remains of the three pilgrims were found and authenticated. Today, visitors find a three-aisled building with a façade rebuilt in 1742 and frescoes created between 1970 and 1972.
The pilgrimages: the most evocative tradition
What makes this festival stand out from many other patronal feasts in Lazio is the pilgrimage on foot. On August 10th, in the late afternoon, Gallinaro welcomes the groups arriving from Scanno, Pettorano sul Gizio, and Minturno: the pilgrims from Scanno cover about 55 kilometers across the mountains, a tradition passed down from generation to generation. The welcome ceremony features hymns, crosses, and banners, concluding with a procession toward the Sanctuary.
On the morning of August 11th, it is the turn of the groups from Rocca d'Arce, Santopadre, and Ceprano, who gather in Piazza Belvedere for a breakfast offered by the community before entering the church. It is a simple, deeply moving moment that is worth the trip alone.
Celebrations and the procession
The day of August 11th begins very early, with Holy Masses starting at 6:00 and 7:00 AM at the Sanctuary, continuing until noon. Around 8:00 AM, the Villa Latina brass band arrives, marching through the village streets and accompanying the day's events. In the Church of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist, the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration is presided over by the parish priest of Gallinaro, followed by the procession with the statue of the Patron Saint and the relics of Saints Arduino, Bernardo, Folco, and Gerardo through the historic center.
- Successive Holy Masses from dawn at the Sanctuary of Saint Gerardo
- Welcoming of pilgrim groups and entry into the Sanctuary
- Brass band parade through the village streets
- Solemn procession with the statue and relics through the historic center
- Evening musical performance and closing fireworks
The secular side: music, flavors, and fireworks
Alongside the religious dimension, there is a lively secular festival organized by the Municipality and local associations: musical performances in the square, food stalls featuring valley products, and Gallinaro wine, which has a well-established reputation in the Comino Valley. The evening of August 11th traditionally concludes with a musical show and fireworks.
Part of the Gallinaro Summer
The patronal feast is the highlight of a broader summer calendar, the Gallinaro Summer, which brings concerts, food festivals, and popular events to the village from late July to late August—ranging from rock festivals to the Cabernet Festival and the mid-August Wine Festival. Those arriving for Saint Gerardo can easily plan a two or three-day visit, taking advantage of the proximity to other villages in the Comino Valley and the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park.
Why it is worth attending
This is not a festival manufactured for tourism: it is a devotion that binds together different towns, some days of walking away, and which renews itself every year without the need for advertising. Those who witness the arrival of the Scanno pilgrims on the evening of August 10th immediately understand that this is something more than just a date on the calendar.
Saint Gerardo Feast — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The Saint Gerardo Patronal Feast is celebrated in Gallinaro (province of Frosinone, Lazio) on Monday, August 10th and Tuesday, August 11th, 2026, according to the fixed traditional dates. The Comino Valley summer calendar confirms the Saint Gerardo festivities for August 10th, 2026.
The festival structure remains consistent: August 10th is dedicated to welcoming the pilgrim groups arriving on foot from Scanno, Pettorano sul Gizio, and Minturno, with a procession toward the Sanctuary of Saint Gerardo Confessore and a solemn vigil celebration, followed by a concert. On August 11th, the Patron Saint's day, Masses are held from dawn, the Villa Latina brass band marches through the village streets, and in the late morning, the procession with the Saint's statue and relics begins through the historic center. The evening concludes with a musical show and fireworks.
The official schedule for the 2026 edition, including guest names for the secular program, will be released by the Municipality of Gallinaro and the Parish in the days immediately preceding the festival.
Programme Saint Gerardo Feast 2026
Monday, August 10th, 2026 — Eve and welcoming of pilgrims
- Morning: Holy Masses at the Sanctuary of Saint Gerardo Confessore
- Afternoon: Arrival of pilgrim groups from Scanno, Pettorano sul Gizio, and Minturno; welcome and procession toward the Sanctuary
- Evening: Solemn Eucharistic celebration, followed by a concert in the square
Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 — Feast of Saint Gerardo
- 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM: Holy Masses at the Sanctuary
- Around 8:00 AM: Arrival of the Villa Latina brass band and parade through the village streets
- Around 8:30 AM: Gathering of pilgrim groups from Rocca d'Arce, Santopadre, and Ceprano, breakfast in Piazza Belvedere
- From 9:00 AM to noon: Successive Holy Masses
- Church of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist: Solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Parish Priest of Gallinaro
- Following: Procession with the statue of the Patron Saint and the relics of Saints Arduino, Bernardo, Folco, and Gerardo, accompanied by the brass band
- Evening: Musical performance in the square and closing fireworks
Traditional festival structure; exact times and artist names for the 2026 edition will be published by the organizers closer to the event.
Highlights Saint Gerardo Feast 2026
- The arrival on foot of pilgrims from Scanno, after about 55 kilometers of mountain trekking
- Holy Masses at dawn, at 6:00 and 7:00 AM, at the Sanctuary of Saint Gerardo Confessore
- The parade of the Villa Latina brass band through the village streets
- The procession with the statue of the Patron Saint and the relics of Saints Arduino, Bernardo, Folco, and Gerardo
- The pilgrims' breakfast in Piazza Belvedere, a simple and deeply shared moment
- The evening musical performance and final fireworks
Prices Saint Gerardo Feast 2026
Practical information — Saint Gerardo Feast
Where it takes place
Sanctuary of Saint Gerardo Confessore, Via San Gerardo 4, 03040 Gallinaro (FR), and the Church of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the historic center. The Sanctuary is open to the public, admission is free, and parking accessible to people with disabilities is available.
How to get there
By car: A1 Rome-Naples motorway, exit at Cassino or Sora, then provincial roads toward the Comino Valley (about 30-40 minutes). By train: Cassino or Sora stations on the Roccasecca-Avezzano line, then bus or taxi. By plane: Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino airports are about a two-hour drive away.
Prices
Religious celebrations, the procession, the band parade, and the fireworks are free and open to the public. Only food stalls charge for purchases.
Tips
The streets of the historic center fill up early on the morning of August 11th: it is best to arrive early and park at the village entrance. In August, temperatures are high, but evenings in the Comino Valley remain cool: a light sweater is useful. For accommodation, you can stay in Atina, Alvito, or Sora, all just a few kilometers away; availability is limited during these days, so booking in advance is recommended.
Information
Municipality of Gallinaro, tel. +39 0776 609549.
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Where does it take place — Saint Gerardo Feast
Santuario di San Gerardo Confessore
Via San Gerardo 4, 03040 Gallinaro