May is commonly the month dedicated to the Madonna and the celebrations connected to the cult of the Virgin Mary. In Molfetta, however, the month of May is also characterized by the presence of the celebrations of Medonne du Tremelizze in which the historic icon of the Virgin and Child preserved in the Basilica of the Madonna dei Martiri is honored to celebrate the memory of May 11, 1560. On that atavistic date for the local population, Molfetta escaped a disastrous earthquake that struck Puglia and many of the neighboring towns but it did not cause any damage, if not minor, to our city. The people of Molfetta immediately attributed the miraculous intervention to the intercession of the Madonna and decided to honor her cult in the years to come on that same date.
Also this year Molfetta intends to pay homage to its Compatrona, renewing the devotion and gratitude of the people.
The Patronal Festivals Committee in collaboration with the friars of the Basilica Madonna dei Martiri and the Parish Madonna della Pace has organized a series of initiatives which will culminate on May 11th in memory of the perennial vow of our ancestors.
We will start on Sunday 5 May with the movement, in the early afternoon in a private manner on a mobile vehicle, of the Icon of the Madonna dei Martiri. The welcome will be at 5.00 pm at the Don Grittani Institute and a short moment of prayer with the guests and with the Oblate Sisters of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, immediately after the procession of the Icon of the Madonna dei Martiri through the streets of the neighborhood according to the following itinerary: via Don Minzoni, via Gobetti, via Di Vagno, viale XXV Aprile, Madonna della Pace Parish. 7pm Eucharistic Celebration.
From 6 to 10 May at the Madonna della Pace Parish at 6.30 pm recitation of the Holy Rosary and Eucharistic Celebration animated by parish groups. During the days of rest of the Icon of Our Lady of Martyrs, the parish community is invited to offer oil to power the votive lamp.
11 MAY MEDONNE DU TREMELIZZE FESTIVAL
At 4.30 pm the Icon of the Madonna dei Martiri will leave the Madonna della Pace Parish to head, privately on a mobile vehicle, towards the San Domenico Parish where at 5.30 pm the procession of the Icon will take place with the participation of the Mayor of Molfetta, of the civil and military authorities, of the Patronal Festivals Committee, according to the following itinerary: via San Carlo, via Madonna dei Martiri, viale dei Crociati, Basilica.
8.00 pm Eucharistic celebration presided over by Monsignor DOMENICO CORNACCHIA, Bishop of the Diocese. At the end of the celebration the Mayor will light the votive lamp.
The processions will be accompanied by the Bassa Musica “Città di Molfetta”.
President Vincenzo Germinario
