“It is necessary not to forget what happened, not so much to fuel a sense of frustration, but to commit ourselves to the restart and above all to preserve and nourish the good that came from that dramatic situation”. With these words the letter to the diocesan community opens Monsignor Mario Toso, bishop of the Diocese of Faenza-Modigliana, written one year after the flood that devastated Romagna. The bishop’s words arrive on the occasion of the upcoming celebrations of the Blessed Virgin of Graces, Patron Saint of the City of Faenza and of the Diocese.
“We need to preserve this heart – continues the letter -, reawaken this brotherhood, foster this unity. We have no other option but to walk together! Together we can continue to rise again, to rebuild what has been destroyed. Alone we cannot face challenges bigger than ourselves. The Easter celebration of the Risen One, through the intercession of the Virgin of Graces, is the root of unity and brotherhood which alone can animate the Christian community”.
The celebrations for the Blessed Virgin of Graces will start on Sunday 5 May with the days of preparation and will have their culmination on Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12. The pontifical mass will be celebrated on Saturday 11 at 10.30 and is intended to be the occasion to thank all the volunteers who worked during the flood emergency and the other natural disasters that hit the Diocese in recent months. “To make visible this memory of ours and our gratitude for those who spent themselves in those difficult days – underlines Monsignor Toso -, I invite everyone to participate in the Eucharistic celebration which will be presided over by Monsignor Mario Delpini, Archbishop of Milan. It will also be an opportunity to thank the Diocese of Milan, which through Caritas Ambrosiana did and donated so much during the flood”.
On Saturday 11 May at 6pm the holy mass will take place with the offering of candles by the city districts, presided over by the bishop Monsignor Mario Toso. The celebration will kick off the Niballo events and will unveil, in the Cathedral, the Palio 2024 banner which will go to the winning district.
As per tradition, the liturgical program will alternate with various initiatives and convivial events coordinated by the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Virgin of Graces. The Torta delle Grazie returns again this year, in collaboration with Ascom Faenza and various pastry chefs in the city, to which is added in this edition the ceramic plate made by La Vecchia Faenza which will accompany the cake. On Saturday 11 May at 9pm in the cathedral square, there will be a concert by the gospel choir Voices of Joy, the S. Pier Damiani choir, the children’s choir of the Pavone d’oro, the Art of choir (Artistation).
Among the novelties of the 2024 celebrations is the non-competitive running event “Corsa delle grazie”, in collaboration with Atletica 85 Bcc and Uisp Imola-Faenza, which will take place on Sunday 12th (meeting at 2pm in Piazza della Libertà and departure at 3pm; route 10 km long, short route 5 km).
The celebrations
The opening mass of the celebrations on 5 May at 6pm in the Cathedral will be followed from 5 to 9 May by the days of preparation in Bagnacavallo, Sant’Agata, Tredozio, Modigliana, Cotignola, Russi, Brisighella and Fognano and the blessing of the vehicles in the car park in Piazzale Tambini on Thursday 9th from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Friday 10th at 8.30pm Procession from San Domenico to the Cathedral and Act of entrustment of the city and the diocese to Mary.
Saturday 11th at 10.30am pontifical mass in the Cathedral, presided over by the Archbishop of Milan Monsignor Mario Delpini; at 4pm Children’s Flower Festival and act of homage to the Madonna of the civic tower; at 6pm holy mass with offering of candles by the city districts.
Sunday 12th Masses in the Cathedral at 10.30am and 6pm and in the Hospital at 4pm; at 3pm blessing and departure of the participants in the Corsa delle Grazie running event.
