Saint Pio of Pietrelcina Festival

The 2025 Saint Pio of Pietrelcina Festival in Bitonto opened on September 14 with the welcoming of the Saint's relic from the sanctuary of San Giovanni Rotondo, marking the start of the daily novena (Rosary at 6:00 PM and Eucharistic celebration at 6:30 PM) at the church of San Leone Magno.

Significant moments included the September 19 prayer vigil for vocations, the September 20 concert by the Poohlover in Piazza Santa Chiara, and the September 22 candlelight procession from the municipal villa to the parish, featuring a re-enactment of the Saint's passing.

On September 23, the day of the solemnity, masses were held, children were entrusted to the Saint, and a 5:30 PM Eucharistic celebration took place in the square, followed by the traditional city-wide procession with the blessing of the relic. The festival concluded on September 28 with a thanksgiving mass and a charity raffle. The celebrations were accompanied by the "T. Traetta" city band, the "bassa banda" directed by Maestro Tarantino, and traditional illuminations.

Novena — September 14 to 22

• 6:00 PM — Holy Rosary
• 6:30 PM — Eucharistic celebration

Sunday, September 14

• 5:30 PM — Welcoming of the relic of Saint Pio from the sanctuary of San Giovanni Rotondo

Friday, September 19

• 8:00 PM — Prayer vigil for vocations

Saturday, September 20 — Piazza Santa Chiara

• 8:30 PM — Concert by Poohlover

Monday, September 22

• 8:00 PM — Candlelight procession from the municipal villa to the parish; re-enactment of the Saint's passing

Tuesday, September 23 — Solemnity

• Daytime Holy Masses and entrustment of children to the Saint
• 5:30 PM — Eucharistic celebration in Piazza Santa Chiara
• Followed by — City-wide procession and blessing with the relic

Sunday, September 28

• 6:30 PM — Thanksgiving mass and raffle draw