San Rocco Patronal Feast

The San Rocco Feast in Campodimele

In the heart of the Monti Aurunci, perched at an altitude of over 600 meters, the small village of Campodimele in the province of Latina, southern Lazio, celebrates the San Rocco Feast every year in mid-August. After the patron saint Sant'Onofrio and San Michele Arcangelo, the parish's titular saint, San Rocco is one of the most venerated figures by the community, remembered as the saint of charity and closeness to those who suffer. His feast is among the most attended of the summer, drawing emigrants, families, and visitors back to the village.

An ancient devotion

The cult of San Rocco in Campodimele has roots in a centuries-old tradition. The pilgrim saint, protector against epidemics, has always been invoked by the local population, and his image is carried in procession through the streets of the historic center. The festivities are part of a long journey of prayer and celebration that, around August 15th, combines devotion to San Rocco with that of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.

The religious program

The spiritual aspect of the feast includes, according to tradition, a period of preparation with a novena and triduum, culminating on the solemn day of August 16th with Holy Masses and the procession of the saint's statue through the village streets, accompanied by a brass band. It is the most intense and heartfelt moment, where the entire community gathers around its patron in an atmosphere of faith and reflection.

The secular festivities

Alongside the religious celebrations, the secular program transforms Campodimele into a festive village. The Campolimpiadi, games and tournaments involving both adults and children, bring Piazza Municipio to life, while the Viale Glorioso sports field hosts the Luigi Borsa Memorial, a sporting event dedicated to memory and a passion for sports. In the evening, the square lights up with live music concerts, leading up to the grand fireworks display that illuminates the sky above the village at midnight.

Italy's village of longevity

Visiting Campodimele during the San Rocco Feast means discovering one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, famous worldwide for the exceptional longevity of its inhabitants. Medieval walls, stone alleys, and views over the Liri Valley provide the backdrop for a festival that is both a religious rite and a social gathering. The event is part of the Campodimele Summer program, promoted by the Municipal Administration with the support of the Lazio Region, and celebrates the traditions and identity of this corner of the South Pontine area.