The city of Brescia is preparing to celebrate the fifth edition of the Festival of Miracles, an event that unites faith, art and community. Organized by the Collegiate Parish of Saints Nazaro and Celso and the Parish of Sant’Agata, with the patronage of the Municipality of Brescia, the event will take place from 19 to 26 May 2024 at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
Origins and Meaning of the Sanctuary
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, located in Corso Martiri della Libertà, was built at the end of 1500 at the behest of Pope Innocent VIII at the request of the Municipality of Brescia. Since then, it has become a central point for the local community. The management of the sanctuary is entrusted to the Collegiate Parish of Saints Nazaro and Celso, which has been organizing the Feast of Miracles for years in collaboration with the municipal administration.
Community involvement
The festival not only has a strong religious connotation but also a social and cultural value. It involves the entire neighborhood: families, children from the oratory, local traders and various institutions actively participate in the event. This year, as in previous editions, the Madonnari will be protagonists with their works of art along Corso Martiri della Libertà.
Program of the Celebrations
Sunday 19 May
- 4pm: Presentation of the book on the façade of the sanctuary curated by Mons. Ivo Panteghini at the oratory in via Fratelli Bronzetti.
- 5pm: Concert in the Sanctuary of Miracles with Eleonora Mingardi (soprano), Filippo Ghidoni (baritone), Giorgio Forlani (trumpet) and Luciano Carbone (organ).
Friday 24 May
- 8.30pm: Prayer of the Holy Rosary in the cloister of San Francesco followed by a torchlight procession towards the sanctuary where the entrustment to Mary will take place.
Saturday 25 May
- Morning (10:00 – 12:00): Guided tours of local churches without the need for reservations.
- Afternoon (3pm – 6pm): Guided tours organized by Discover Brescia and Artistic Guide with reservations required.
- 4.30pm: Blessing of the Madonnari during the solemn Holy Mass at the Sanctuary of Miracles.
- 8.45pm:
- Conference on the restoration of the work “Coronation of the Virgin” by Moretto with interventions by the restorer Antonio Zaccaria and the art critic Davide Dotti.
- Evening concert with Fabrizio Mezzari (trumpet), Francesco Paladini (percussion) and Luciano Carbone (organ).
Sunday 26 May
- 10:00 am:
- Solemn final celebration of the catechistic year in the Collegiate Church of Ss. Nazaro e Celso followed by a procession through the main streets to the sanctuary.
- Football tournament for children organized by the oratory.
- Lunch available at the oratory in via Bronzetti.
- 4pm:
- Concert in the Church of Sant’Agata to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Piazza Loggia massacre by performing Charles Gounod’s “Messe Solennelle” under the direction of Domenico Trifoglietti.
- 7pm:
- Final award ceremony for the Madonnari in front of the sanctuary.
All appointments are free entry with no need for booking unless otherwise specified. For further information you can contact the organizers by email at [email protected] or visit the official event website.
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