L’AQUILA – Preparations underway in our Basilica of San Bernardino da Siena. The Solemnity of San Bernardino of Siena on May 20th will also this year be preceded by some dedicated musical events and liturgical ceremonies.
17 May 9.00 pm – Basilica of San Bernardino
Concert in honor of the Saint
AQUILANA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA and “L’Aquila in Canto” Choral Association
Director Carmine Gaudieri
16-17-18 May – 6.30 pm – Basilica of San Bernardino
Triduum of preparation
Holy Mass with preaching and prayer in honor of the Saint
THIS IS THE CELEBRATION PROGRAM
Friday 19 MayL
Solemnity of Pentecost and eve of the feast of Saint Bernardino of Siena
8.00 am San Bernardino Market
8.30am and 11.30am Solemn Masses in the Basilica
6.30pm Basilica of San Bernardino da Siena
Solemn Holy Mass
MRP Antonio Ridolfi – Provincial Minister OFM Province of Salernitano-Lucana presides
At the end procession to the Bernardinian Mausoleum
Reading of the Transit and Opening of the Urn
Delivery of blessed cotton to the faithful
Monday 20 May
Solemnity of San Bernardino of Siena Patron Saint of the City of L’Aquila
7.00 am Basilica of San Bernardino da Siena
Holy Mass
11.00 am Basilica of San Bernardino da Siena
Solemn Holy Mass – Presided by MRP Francesco Piloni Provincial Minister of the Friars Minor of Umbria and Sardinia
Offer of oil by the “Sandro Pertini” Comprehensive Institute of Asciano (Siena)
At the end, procession to the Bernardinian Mausoleum and prayer to the Saint
5.30 pm Churchyard of the Basilica of San Bernardino da Siena
Welcoming of the Mayors of the Municipalities of the nearby cities with their respective Banners
Commitment Ceremony to S. Bernardino by the authorities gathered at the Mausoleum of San Bernardino
6.00 pm Basilica of San Bernardino da Siena
Solemn Holy Mass – The MRP is presided by Luciano De Giusti OFM, Minister Provincial of the Friars Minor of Abruzzo and Lazio.
7.00 pm Procession with the statue and relic of the Saint
Along the streets of the city center of L’Aquila accompanied by the Procession by the City of Paganica Band Complex
8.00 pm Churchyard of the Basilica
Solemn Blessing with the Relic of the Saint to the City of L’Aquila and to the Communities of the Municipalities represented.
Performance of the City of L’Aquila Flag-Waving Group
For the occasion, the votive lamp in embossed copper, DONATED BY THE NOBLE CONTRADA DELL’AQUILA OF SIENA, was restored. The votive lamp in wrought iron and embossed copper, placed in front of the Mausoleum, was donated by the Noble Contrada of L’Aquila on 9 June 1957: it was then that the rite of the offering of oil was born, which on that occasion was made by the Superintendent at the Siena Studies and from the following year it would be curated from time to time by a Sienese school.
In the first months of 2022 the votive lamp was recovered by Father Daniele Di Sipio and thus taken from oblivion into which it had risked falling also as a consequence of the damage caused to the Basilica of San Bernardino da Siena by the earthquake of 6 April 2009.
Last year, on the occasion of the signing of the Friendship Pact with the Municipality of L’Aquila, the Contrada took charge again and entrusted its complete restoration to the historic artisan workshop of Laura and Alessandro Brocchi.
Delegations and representatives from various Italian communities are expected to participate in the celebrations on May 20th.
