Velletri, Mayor Cascella on the Feast of the Madonna delle Grazie: “The Marian cult is an act of faith and widespread feeling of our culture and tradition”

Velletri, a city steeped in faith and tradition, stopped last night for the Solemn Procession of the Ceri, after having started the events linked to the Feast of the Madonna delle Grazie with great enthusiasm. From morning until evening on Saturday, as highlighted in a press note, the Mayor of Velletri, Ascanio Cascella, also closely followed all the rites linked to the festival, demonstrating his involvement and support for the community of faithful, even more so after having strongly wanted Velletri to become Civitas Mariae.

In the morning, Mayor Cascella participated in the initiative “Color in the Course”, together with the young pupils of nursery schools. The event saw children color the anti-wax cartoons placed on the cobblestones by the workers of Volsca Ambiente, an action aimed at ensuring safety during the Solemn Procession of the Candles in the evening. This activity was also an opportunity for the younger ones to express their creativity and participate in the preparation of the great Marian feast.

Saturday continued with the solemn display of the Sacred Image of the Madonna delle Grazie, lowered from the Sanctuary dedicated to her and placed in the center of the altar of the Basilica of San Clemente. The Holy Mass was presided over by the Bishop His Excellency Mons. Stefano Russo, marking the official start of the celebrations, in which the Mayor also took part, also present in the evening at the Solemn Procession of the Candles, which reached its 411th ^ edition, supported by the regional councilor Giancarlo Righini, by various members of his council, starting from the deputy mayor Chiara Ercoli, and by the Commander of the Local Police Maurizio Santarcangelo, escorted by the Banner of the City of Velletri.

The words of the Mayor Ascanio Cascella reflect the importance of this holiday for the city: “The Marian month began, as usual, with the celebrations for the Madonna delle Grazie. This is an important year as the city approaches the title of Civitas Mariae. Sunday 12 May there will also bearrival of the Madonna of Fatima, at the Palabandinelli. A significant event, given our ancient tradition of Marian worship, not only as an act of faith, but as a widespread feeling of our culture and tradition.”

The Feast of the Madonna delle Grazie will continue today with the traditional Goods Fair and the Solemn Pontifical presided over by His Excellency Cardinal Francis Arinze. Find out more about program click here.