Saint Maurice Patronal Festival

The Patronal Festival of Acuto

The Saint Maurice Patronal Festival is the most anticipated event of the year for Acuto, a small village perched on the Ernici Mountains in the province of Frosinone, in the heart of the Ciociaria area and the Lazio Region. Every year, around September 22nd—the liturgical feast day of Saint Maurice the Martyr—the community gathers around its patron saint for four days that weave together faith, music, gastronomy, and local heritage.

Saint Maurice the Martyr, Protector of Acuto

Saint Maurice, commander of the legendary Theban Legion and a Christian martyr, is venerated as the patron saint of Acuto and commemorated on the liturgical calendar on September 22nd. Devotion to the saint is deeply rooted in the town's history and is passed down from generation to generation: his image, carried in procession through the village streets, represents the most solemn and well-attended moment of the entire festival.

The Religious Core: Mass and Procession

The spiritual heart of the festivities is the solemn procession which, following Holy Mass in the church of Santa Maria, winds through the narrow streets of the historic center accompanied by the marching band. The religious pageant, followed by the faithful and visitors alike, often culminates in a fireworks display that illuminates the sky above the rooftops of the Ernici village.

Music, Fairs, and Popular Traditions

Alongside the sacred dimension, the festival offers a rich secular program that primarily enlivens Piazza Margherita and the town's main street:

• concerts, musical performances, and entertainment evenings featuring the traditional tombola draw;
• the fair along Viale Roma and Corso Umberto, with stalls and typical local products;
• food stands offering local Ciociaria cuisine;
• historical re-enactments and cultural initiatives, such as art exhibitions and guided tours of the village, which recount the memories and customs of the past.

A Village to Discover

Visiting Acuto during the Saint Maurice Festival means immersing yourself in the authentic atmosphere of a small Ernici town, with its medieval alleys, valley views, and the warm welcome of its inhabitants. Organized by the Municipality of Acuto together with the parish community and the festival committee, the event is the perfect opportunity to experience one of the most vibrant patronal traditions in the province of Frosinone and the entire Lazio region.