Countdown to the ribbon cutting of Guglielmo’s Way, a project financed by the PNRR from the Ministry of Culture to the Municipalities of Chiusano di San Domenico (leader) and Ospedaletto d’Alpinolo, and which refers to the journey and pilgrimage of the young Guglielmo who left from Vercelli in the Middle Ages, following the Appian Way and deciding to embark to reach the Holy Land.
When beaten and robbed by bandits, he had to retrace his steps. He chose Irpinia, where on Mount Partenio he founded Montevergine, the first of the abbeys he built. And it is precisely from the sanctuary of Mamma Schiavona that the first pilgrim route of the 21st century will depart on Thursday 23 May. It is a three-day event organized by a group of bikers, originally from Chiusano di San Domenico and led by Antonio De Angelis, who will test the long route.
The program includes at 9 am the blessing given by the ordinary abbot of Montevergine, Riccardo Luca Guariglia in the churchyard of the Abbey and the visit to the Cathedral Basilica where, under the high altar there is the tomb which houses the remains of Saint William. At 11.00, after the companions return by funicular to Mercogliano, there will be the departure of a shuttle bus towards Chiusano, Laceno and Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi to reach the Goleto Abbey where the bikers are expected to arrive at 6.00 pm and the Holy Mass.
The next day, departure for Melfi for the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the Bishop of Melfi-Rapolla and Venosa, His Excellency. Ciro Fanelli, and to reach, on Saturday, Venosa where an important conference dedicated to the meaning of the journey will be held and finally the arrival in Barletta at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The bikers will test 70% of the planned route on foot, will use electric bikes and will receive credential stamps at each stop.
In fact, they and all the participants will be given the pilgrim’s passport on which, at each stage, the stamps will be affixed which constitute the credentials of the Camino whose route is 320 kilometres, which can subsequently also be carried out in stages, with a stop with lunch and dinner, as well as overnight stay in affiliated facilities, including convents and former episcopal seminaries as in the case of Melfi.
