In the footsteps of San Francesco Caracciolo, who dedicated his life to the most needy, patron of cooks, born in Villa Santa Maria in 1563 and died in Agnone in June 1608, when he was already in the odor of sanctity. On the paths traveled by the saint, on those thirty kilometers between the place of his birth and that of his death, the fifteenth edition of the “Vocational and missionary journey” dedicated to the Saint will take place on the first and fourth of June.
The initiative is organized by the Frentani Solidarity Events Association of Lanciano and by Caracciolina Community of Villa Santa Mariaand sponsored by the Municipalities of Villa Santa Maria, Montelapiano and Roio del Sangro. “These kilometers – explain the promoters of the Camino – they were the last journeys made by the Saint, who in his short life (44 years) also faced three very long journeys on foot to Spain. In that spring of 1608 the Saint went on a pilgrimage to Loreto and from here he set off for Naples, crossing Abruzzo and Molise, following itineraries that had been consolidated since the second half of the sixteenth century. It was, therefore, the historical and real journey of San Francesco Caracciolo that inspired the idea of building a route for today’s walker-pilgrim”.
THEOn June 1st the stretch from Roio del Sangro to Villa Santa Maria will be covered, 7.5 kilometer nature and spiritual trail. The program includes meeting and departure by bus from Lanciano, Piazzale Sant’Antonio at 9am. At 10.30am arrival in Montelapiano and meeting with the other participating groups, who will arrive from Chieti and Villa Santa Maria.
At 11am celebration of mass in the municipal villa of Montelapiano, animated by the boys of the Giubbe Rosse of the choir of San Pietro Apostolo of Lanciano. 1pm lunch break (you can choose between a tourist menu at 25 euros at the “Santamaria” restaurant or a sandwich with water for 5 euros prepared and distributed by the restaurant).
At 15after a short bus ride, the start of the Camino, from Roio del Sangro through very suggestive naturalistic scenarios; approximate travel time 2 hours and 30 minutes; arrival at Villa Santa Maria at 6.30pm. The difficulty is medium/easy.
It is repeated on June 4th, the liturgical feast of the saint, with a different itinerary: the Camino, in fact, will be from Villa Santa Maria to Agnone. The program: at 8, at Villa, prayer of blessing for all pilgrims in the chapel of San Francesco Caracciolo; at 9 am departure on foot to the end of the Villa territory where participants will board a coach. Then here is the meeting with the pilgrims of Agnone. At 11.15am I arrive near the San Francesco Caracciolo hospital in Agnone and begin the procession towards the Annunziata church.
Mass at 12 and then the packed lunch in the Filippini convent, where San Francesco Caracciolo, returning from the Marche, a few days before his death, suffering from violent fevers, was welcomed. Expected return to Villa Santa Maria at 6.30pm. The organizers recommend comfortable clothes, trekking shoes, hat and sunglasses. At 7.30 pm in the church of San Nicola di Bari a Villa concert by the “Movie Song Quartet” with music by Morricone and Piazzolla. Entrance is free.
For info and contacts Ubaldo 3287299832 (President of the Frentani Solidarity Events Association).
