Tonadico Patronal Feast – Saint Sebastian

The patronal feast of Tonadico

On January 20th, the community of Tonadico, a village in the municipality of Primiero San Martino di Castrozza, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), gathers to celebrate the Patronal Feast of Saint Sebastian. It is one of the most heartfelt events in the religious and community calendar of Primiero, a time for shared prayer, gratitude, and devotion to the patron saint.

The solemn Mass and the Schützen

The heart of the day is the solemn Holy Mass at 10:00 am, celebrated in the parish church of Saint Sebastian. The liturgy is made particularly solemn by the participation of the "Giuseppina Negrelli Primör" Schützen Company, the historic costumed group that embodies the memory, traditions, and identity of the Primiero valley. Their presence links the religious celebration to local history, in a setting that unites faith and local belonging.

Saint Sebastian, the patron saint

Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century and is commemorated by the Church on January 20th, is traditionally invoked as a protector against epidemics and is the patron saint of athletes and archers, among others. In Tonadico, his cult is ancient and deeply rooted: the parish church dedicated to him houses an altarpiece on the high altar depicting Saint Sebastian between Saint Roch and Saint Anthony.

The Church of Saint Sebastian

The parish church of Tonadico was built around the mid-15th century and, after subsequent expansions between the 17th and 19th centuries, was solemnly consecrated in 1864 and elevated to a parish church in 1943. Inside, it preserves wooden altars, frescoed vault decorations, and a 1912 pipe organ. It stands in the heart of the village, lower than the ancient church of Saints Victor and Corona, in a convenient location for the faithful.

A community gathering

• When: January 20th, the feast day of Saint Sebastian
• Where: Church of Saint Sebastian, in Tonadico (Primiero San Martino di Castrozza)
• Highlight: Solemn Mass at 10:00 am with the Primiero Schützen
• Who: The entire population of Primiero is invited to attend

The patronal feast is an opportunity for the Tonadico community to reconnect with its roots in one of the most picturesque valleys of the Trentino Dolomites.