On Wednesday evening, May 22, a large crowd greeted the passage through the city streets of the procession of Santa Rita, organized by the parish to which it is named, led by mgr. Gino Romanazzi. The songs and prayers interspersed with the symphonic marches of the “Paisiello” band directed by m. Vincenzo Simonetti they accompanied the path of the statue of the saint, welcomed by a real shower of rose petals. The history of Santa Rita is particularly linked to this flower which delicately colors the month of May. Her biographers say that in the last moments of her life, the woman, immobilized in bed, asked her cousin for a rose and two figs picked in her father’s house. It was winter, but the flowers and fruits were there and they were brought to him. The rose thus became the symbol of Santa Rita: a slender and humble woman who managed to flourish despite the thorns life reserved for her, giving the good scent of Christ and melting the icy winter of many hearts.
Saint Rita is defined as “the saint of impossible miracles”, like that of the parish named after her, in a neighborhood that without her presence would probably have become a gray dormitory. And it was truly impressive to note the presence of so many people who, before the procession, attended the Holy Mass celebrated outdoors, with fifteen priests who in the meantime administered the sacrament of confession and around 150 volunteers ready for any eventuality, distribution of water bottles included.
At the end of the procession, Don Gino warmly invited people to participate in the last final event scheduled Saturday 25th at 8pm, entitled “The party is about to begin, run and don’t stop, my friend”. Like every year on the large church square it will be possible “self-lunch” with tables and chairs in quantities that will be available to everyone to dine together, sharing focaccias, desserts and various delicacies that everyone will bring from home, in a spirit of true social friendship, for a dialogue and a meeting in which everyone offers the contribution of their own experience to life common. All this will be enlivened by songs, games and dances while there will be a play area available for children in the designated space. There will be a show of pinwheels and luminous waterfalls to keep everyone looking up, under a sky that promises to be full of stars.
As happened on Wednesday, young volunteers, with the t-shirts bearing the words “Those of May 22nd”, they will testify to the beauty of being Christians and the joy of communicating it, welcoming those who attend: a great opportunity for them and for those who meet them.
“The popular festival in the square – explains Don Gino – it is a reminder to ‘not fold your arms’ and run towards the Hope, Joy and Beauty offered to us on this occasion. Not a protocol that is repeated every year, but an invitation that is renewed to share the amazement, but also the responsibility in the face of God’s attitude who never tires of sending his servants to call to the wedding from the street crossroads. This celebration, as happened at the procession, will give us the joy of being welcomed into the desire for a life that wants to be filled by the tenderness of God, in an experience of people who demonstrate the desire to live their belonging to a community reality”.
