Saint Rita and Saint Mary of Grace Festival — Casolla District
Three days of popular devotion, cascades of roses, and a market in the Casolla district of Nocera Inferiore
About Saint Rita Festival in Casolla
A neighborhood festival in the heart of the Agro Nocerino
The Saint Rita Festival is the most cherished event in the Casolla district of Nocera Inferiore, in the province of Salerno, located in the heart of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area in Campania. Every year, around May 22nd, the entire neighborhood gathers around the church of Saints Simon and Jude—which locals simply call the "Saint Rita Church"—for a celebration that blends popular devotion, family tradition, and a civil program.
While not the city's main patronal feast (which is dedicated to Saint Priscus), this neighborhood celebration has grown to rival it in participation and intensity. Since 1991, the memory of Saint Rita of Cascia has been honored alongside that of Saint Mary of Grace in a single, multi-day event.
Origins: from 1910 to today
The cult of Saint Rita in Casolla began in the early 20th century, initiated by the parish priest Father Giuseppe Vitolo. In 1910, thanks to the support of the Costabile family, the statue of the saint that still leads the procession today was purchased in Naples from a sacred art workshop in San Biagio dei Librai. In the 1950s, a relic was brought to the parish by Father Salvatore Maiorino, and by the late 1970s, the procession took on the form we know today. The community is currently led by parish priest Father Carmine Vitolo.
The five districts and the cascade of roses
The Casolla district is traditionally divided into five areas named after plants: Oleandro (Oleander), Palme (Palms), Gelso (Mulberry), Pruno (Plum), and Magnolia. Each district decorates its streets and prepares its own "cascade": as the sacred effigies pass by, a rain of red rose petals falls from balconies and terraces—the most photographed and anticipated moment of the entire festival. It is a friendly competition among neighbors that raises the bar for beauty every year.
- Raising of the Portrait: One month before the festival, a procession travels through the district with prayer stops and blessings, concluding in Piazzetta Giuseppe Lepre.
- The Thursdays of Saint Rita: In the preceding weeks, devotion moves from district to district and even reaches the Umberto I hospital, where prayers are offered for the sick.
- The Transitus: On the evening of May 21st, a prayer vigil and Eucharistic adoration are held in memory of the saint's passing.
- May 22nd: A marching band parades through the streets, with masses held from early morning until late at night, the noon supplication, and the kissing of the relic.
- The Procession: Held on the following Sunday in the late afternoon, featuring the statues of Saint Mary of Grace and Saint Rita.
The civil program: market, music, and flavors
Alongside the religious rites, the committee has hosted a market of handicrafts, vintage collectibles, and antiques along Via Colonnello Francesco Apicella, in the area in front of the church. Stalls are open continuously from morning until late at night, offering unique pieces and artisanal creations. The program is rounded out by evening concerts, a food area with local specialties, and fairground rides for children, making the festival a perfect event for the whole family.
Why it's worth visiting
Visitors arriving in Casolla during these days will find a neighborhood telling its own story: illuminated streets, market stalls, the scent of fried food, and families preparing rose petals to toss from their balconies. It is one of the most authentic expressions of popular religiosity in the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area, just a few kilometers from Pompeii, Salerno, and the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a less touristy, more genuine side of Campania, where the festival is still a community event rather than a show for visitors.
Saint Rita Festival in Casolla — edition 2026
The 2026 festival in the Casolla district of Nocera Inferiore began well before May 22nd: on Wednesday, April 22nd, after the 6:30 PM mass in the church of Saints Simon and Jude, parish priest Father Carmine Vitolo led the raising of the portrait procession through the neighborhood streets, with five prayer stops and the blessing of the images, concluding in Piazzetta Giuseppe Lepre.
This was followed by the Thursdays of Saint Rita, with devotion brought in turn to the Oleandro, Palme, Gelso, Pruno, and Magnolia districts, and a stop at the Umberto I hospital dedicated to the sick. The theme chosen for the year, «St. Rita, flower of peace», was reflected in the street decorations and prayer intentions, recalling the fifteen years during which the saint of Cascia bore the mark of the thorn on her forehead.
The heart of the festival arrived with the triduum on Tuesday, May 19th, the Transitus vigil on Thursday, May 21st, the long day of celebrations on Friday, May 22nd, and finally the procession on Sunday, May 24th, with the rain of red rose petals accompanying the sacred effigies along the entire route.
Programme Saint Rita Festival in Casolla 2026
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 — Raising of the Portrait
- 6:30 PM: Holy Mass in the church of Saints Simon and Jude
- Followed by: Procession through the district streets led by Father Carmine Vitolo, with five prayer stops and image blessings
- Conclusion in Piazzetta Giuseppe Lepre with the raising of the portrait and final blessing
In the preceding weeks — The Thursdays of Saint Rita
- Every Thursday afternoon: Rosary and prayer moments in the Oleandro, Palme, Gelso, Pruno, and Magnolia districts
- Final stop at Umberto I hospital, dedicated to the sick
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 — Opening of the Triduum
- 5:30 PM: Recitation of the Holy Rosary
- Followed by: Vespers
- 6:30 PM: Holy Mass
Thursday, May 21st, 2026 — Vigil and Transitus
- 10:30 PM: Eucharistic adoration and prayer vigil in memory of the Transitus of Saint Rita
Friday, May 22nd, 2026 — Liturgical Feast
- Marching band parade through the district streets
- Holy Masses at 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 AM, and 5:00, 6:30, 8:00, 9:00 PM
- 12:00 PM: Supplication to Saint Rita and kissing of the relic
Sunday, May 24th, 2026 — Procession
- 5:00 PM: Procession of the sacred effigies of Saint Mary of Grace and Saint Rita
- Passage through the five districts — Oleandro, Palme, Gelso, Pruno, Magnolia — with traditional rose cascades
Civil Program
- Handicraft, vintage, and antique market along Via Colonnello Francesco Apicella, in front of the Saint Rita church, open continuously from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Evening concerts, food area with local specialties, and children's rides
Highlights Saint Rita Festival in Casolla 2026
- The rose cascades: the rain of red petals from the balconies of the five districts as the statues pass by, Sunday, May 24th from 5:00 PM.
- The theme «St. Rita, flower of peace», expressed in street decorations and prayer intentions.
- The raising of the portrait on April 22nd, with the procession and five blessing stops ending at Piazzetta Giuseppe Lepre.
- The Transitus vigil on May 21st at 10:30 PM, one of the most intimate moments of the festival.
- The Via Apicella market, featuring crafts, antiques, and vintage items, open non-stop from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- The marching band parade on the morning of May 22nd, waking up the district.
Prices Saint Rita Festival in Casolla 2026
Practical information — Saint Rita Festival in Casolla
Location
Casolla District, Nocera Inferiore (SA). The center of the festival is the church of Saints Simon and Jude; the market and attractions are located along Via Colonnello Francesco Apicella, in the area in front of the church.
How to get there
- By train: Nocera Inferiore station on the Naples–Salerno line, served by frequent regional connections; the district is just a few minutes away.
- By car: Naples–Salerno motorway, exit Nocera Inferiore–Pagani, then follow signs for the city center.
- Parking: In recent editions, free parking has been available in the stadium area, a short distance from the district.
Costs
Celebrations, the procession, and visiting the market are free of charge. Only food and fairground rides require payment.
Tips
- To enjoy the cascade of roses, it is best to position yourself along the streets of the districts well in advance of the procession time.
- The district streets are narrow and very crowded: it is better to leave your car further away and continue on foot.
- It is late May: evenings are generally mild, but a light jacket may be useful.
Contacts
Saints Simon and Jude Parish, Casolla District — Nocera Inferiore (SA).
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Where does it take place — Saint Rita Festival in Casolla
Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda (chiesa di Santa Rita), rione Casolla
Rione Casolla, via Colonnello Francesco Apicella, 84014 Nocera Inferiore