Santa Maria De Mattias Festival

A festival rooted in Acuto's history

In the heart of the Ciociaria region, perched on the Ernici mountains in the province of Frosinone, the small town of Acuto maintains a profound bond with Santa Maria De Mattias. It was here, on March 4, 1834, that the nun from Vallecorsa founded the Congregation of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, launching an educational and spiritual mission that would eventually spread to dozens of nations. Each year, the Acuto community renews the memory of its saint with a festival that weaves together faith, tradition, and a deep sense of belonging.

Who was Maria De Mattias?

Born in Vallecorsa in 1805, Maria De Mattias experienced a profound conversion after hearing the preaching of Saint Gaspare del Bufalo. She dedicated her life to evangelization and the education of young people and women, tirelessly traveling through the towns of the Ciociaria. She passed away in Rome on August 20, 1866, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 18, 2003. In Acuto, where the first house of her Congregation was established, her figure remains a living part of the village's identity.

The festival in the Vecchiarelli district

The Santa Maria De Mattias Festival takes place around August 19, near the saint's liturgical feast day, with its heart in the Vecchiarelli district. Religious celebrations, including Holy Mass and moments of devotion, are accompanied by the warmth of a community gathering to honor its patron. The following day, the traditional awarding of the Santa Maria De Mattias Municipal Scholarship links the saint's name to the commitment to youth education, in ideal continuity with her mission.

At the heart of the 'Estate Acutina'

The festival is part of the Estate Acutina program, the summer series that brings the town of Acuto to life between July and August with concerts, shows, food festivals, and cultural events. During these same weeks, the village hosts Acuto Jazz, musical evenings, Ferragosto concerts, and initiatives dedicated to poetry and spirituality, offering residents and visitors a rich and engaging summer.

A village in Lazio to discover

Visiting Acuto during the festival means discovering one of the most evocative villages in southern Lazio: stone alleys, panoramic views of the valley, and authentic hospitality. The devotion to Santa Maria De Mattias offers the chance to learn about an important chapter in the religious history of the Ciociaria and to experience the intimate, sincere atmosphere of a community that gathers every year around the memory of its saint.