Santa Barbara - Patronal Feast of Rieti

2025 Edition

On November 29th, 2025, the statue of Santa Barbara left the Fire Brigade barracks to travel through the districts of Rieti: departure at 4 PM, arrival at the Velino river at 5 PM, where the statue was placed on a boat and the bishop opened the ceremony. The boats descended the river amidst sacred music and torches; the procession then continued on foot along the Roman Bridge and via Roma to the cathedral for Advent vespers and the blessing of the city.

On Thursday, December 4th, the patron saint's celebrations took place: at 10:30 AM, the laying of a wreath at the Fire Brigade monument in the cemetery; at 11:30 AM, mass at San Michele Arcangelo; at 4:30 PM, the presentation at the Civic Museum of restored paintings by Emanuele Alfani from the church of San Benedetto; at 5:30 PM, the lighting of Christmas illuminations on the river; and at 6 PM, the solemn Eucharistic celebration in the cathedral. The Santa Cecilia Marching Band of Cittaducale, conducted by Maestro Rosella Scopigno, performed through the streets of the center, while the fair occupied Viale Maraini, via L. Di Benedetto, Piazza Angelucci, the Foro Boario, and the Lungovelino Don G. Olivieri.