Winter Celebrations of Saint Blaise - San Biase Piccinnu
The winter liturgical feast of the patron saint of Carosino, in the province of Taranto
About San Biase Piccinnu
The winter feast of the patron saint of Carosino
In Carosino, a small town in the province of Taranto in Puglia, Saint Blaise is venerated as the patron saint with a double annual celebration. Alongside the major autumn patronal feast in October, the community also dedicates a winter liturgical feast to the Armenian bishop and martyr, falling around February 3rd, the day the liturgical calendar commemorates the saint. The people of Carosino affectionately call it «San Biase Piccinnu» (the «little Saint Blaise»), specifically to distinguish it from the more imposing autumn recurrence.
A blend of faith and popular tradition
The heart of the festival is the Church of Madonna delle Grazie, where the event begins with the traditional enthronement ceremony of the saint's venerated statue. During the central days, a solemn triduum of preparation takes place, with evening masses gathering the faithful in prayer. Popular devotion is also expressed through the most characteristic gesture associated with Saint Blaise: the blessing of throats with crossed candles, which recalls the saint's protection against throat ailments, administered at the end of the celebrations.
The procession and the band
The moment of greatest participation is the procession that winds through the main streets of Carosino's center, accompanied by the notes of the «Santa Cecilia - Città di Taranto» marching band. As the procession passes, residents are invited to hang red drapes featuring the saint's image from their balconies, coloring the town and renewing an identity bond that unites generations.
Community gestures
The festival is also marked by typically local signs of sharing. On the day dedicated to Saint John Bosco, during the triduum, the mass is animated by the parish community and followed by the distribution of bread and mortadella in the parish hall. At the end of the celebrations, blessed panettone is distributed to the faithful, offered thanks to the generosity of parishioners and local businesses. The program closes with a convivial and charitable moment: the burraco tournament hosted in the charming Castello D'Ayala Valva, organized to support local solidarity initiatives.
An identity-defining event
More intimate and gathered than the October feast, the winter recurrence of Saint Blaise preserves its value as an essential identity-defining event for Carosino. Between liturgy, band music, popular traditions, and gestures of solidarity, «San Biase Piccinnu» tells the story of the soul of a community in the Ionian province that finds its patron saint again in the heart of winter.
San Biase Piccinnu — edition 2026
The 2026 winter liturgical feast of Saint Blaise in Carosino opened on Sunday, January 25 with the traditional ceremony of enthroning the patron saint's venerated statue in the Church of Madonna delle Grazie. From January 31 to February 2, the solemn triduum of preparation was celebrated.
On February 2, the feast of Candlemas, the celebrations were accompanied by the lighting of candles. On February 3, the liturgical day of Saint Blaise, the solemn evening mass was presided over by the parish priest Father Filippo Urso, followed by the procession through the town streets with the «Santa Cecilia - Città di Taranto» band and the distribution of blessed panettone to the faithful after each mass. The recurrence closed on Saturday, February 7 with the «Saint Blaise» burraco tournament at Castello D'Ayala Valva, organized for charity with the Parents' Association for Oncohematology of Taranto.
Programme San Biase Piccinnu 2026
Sunday, January 25
Opening with the ceremony of enthroning the statue of Saint Blaise in the Church of Madonna delle Grazie.
From Saturday, January 31 to Monday, February 2
Solemn triduum of preparation. Saturday, January 31: mass in honor of Saint John Bosco, animated by the former students of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, followed by the distribution of bread and mortadella in the parish hall.
Monday, February 2 - Candlemas
Celebrations with the blessing and lighting of candles.
Tuesday, February 3 - Saint Blaise
Morning masses; solemn evening mass presided over by parish priest Father Filippo Urso; procession through the town streets with the «Santa Cecilia - Città di Taranto» band; blessing of throats with crossed candles and distribution of blessed panettone after each mass.
Saturday, February 7
«Saint Blaise» burraco tournament at Castello D'Ayala Valva, in support of the Parents' Association for Oncohematology of Taranto.
Highlights San Biase Piccinnu 2026
- Enthronement of the statue of Saint Blaise (January 25)
- Solemn triduum of preparation
- Procession with the «Santa Cecilia - Città di Taranto» band
- Blessing of throats with crossed candles
- Distribution of blessed panettone to the faithful
- Charity burraco tournament at Castello D'Ayala Valva
Prices San Biase Piccinnu 2026
Practical information — San Biase Piccinnu
Where
The celebrations take place in the Church of Madonna delle Grazie and along the streets of the historic center of Carosino (TA), in Puglia. The final tournament is held at the Castello D'Ayala Valva.
How to get there
Carosino can be reached by car via the SS7 ter and the provincial road network connecting Taranto and Grottaglie; the reference motorway exit is Taranto. The nearest train stations are Grottaglie and Taranto, served by the regional line.
Admission
Participation in masses, the triduum, and the procession is free and open to all. Blessed panettone is distributed free of charge to the faithful at the end of the celebrations.
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Where does it take place — San Biase Piccinnu
Chiesa Madonna delle Grazie e centro storico
Chiesa Madonna delle Grazie, 74021 Carosino