Walser Procession - Maria Donna dello Spirito

A procession through the Walser villages of the Ossola Valley

The "Maria Donna dello Spirito" Walser Procession is a devotional event deeply rooted in the culture of the Walser community of the upper Val d'Ossola, in Piedmont. Organized by the Parishes of San Michele and San Rocco in Premia, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, the procession connects two iconic sites of the Walser settlement: the church of Beata Vergine Maria Assunta in Salecchio Inferiore, a hamlet of the municipality of Premia, and the Sanctuary of the Visitation of Mary in Antillone, in the municipality of Formazza.

The journey and devotional stops

The meeting point is at dawn, at 7:00 AM, at the church of Salecchio Inferiore. From there, pilgrims walk along a five-kilometer path immersed in the mountain scenery of the upper valley, with stops at devotional sites that mark the way:

• Salecchio Superiore, an ancient Walser nucleus
• Case Francoli
• Alpe Vova
• Picanzolo

The procession is led by the statue of the Madonna della Pietà of Salecchio, recently crafted to commemorate the ancient Gothic statue of Salecchio that was lost to the community in the past. The pilgrimage concludes at the Antillone sanctuary with the celebration of Holy Mass, followed by a moment of conviviality.

Walser roots and spiritual significance

The Walser are a population of Alemannic origin who, starting in the Middle Ages, colonized the high slopes of the Alps, founding villages like Salecchio and Agaro and bringing with them a unique language, architecture, and religious tradition. Long and well-attended processions to the Madonna of Antillone once departed from these high-altitude communities: today's event is their direct heir and preserves their memory.

The title "Maria Donna dello Spirito" places the Marian figure at the center as a symbol of protection and hope. In recent years, the theme of Hope has accompanied the pilgrimage, inviting reflection on community faith and the value of passing this tradition on to new generations, who are actively involved as pilgrims and volunteers.

Conviviality and hospitality

After Mass, in the Walser hamlet of Antillone, a refreshment service featuring traditional local dishes is provided by local organizations. It is a moment that closes the day in the spirit of the hospitality typical of the Ossola mountain communities, where the religious dimension intertwines with cultural and identity-based values.