Messina today celebrates the feast of its patron saint, the Madonna della Lettera. Like every year, the city stops to pay homage to Mary, keeping alive a cult that unites the people of Messina with the communities of Palmi (province of Reggio Calabria), Finale (province of Palermo) and Pannaconi (province of Vibo Valentia). Among the events most awaited by the faithful are the mass in the Cathedral and the procession of the simulacrum.
The program of the celebrations includes, at 11:00, the Pontifical Holy Mass at the Cathedral, presided over by the ordinary abbot of the territorial abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Don Diego Gualtiero Rosa. The ceremony will be concelebrated by Archbishop Giovanni Accolla, the auxiliary bishop and the local clergy. At 6.30pm the procession of the venerated simulacrum of Santa Maria della Lettera will begin.
Before the procession, the Archbishop will bless the Lamp of Saint Francis, which will then be taken to the various pastoral areas of the diocesan territory.
The lamp will stop in some parish communities and in places where the spirituality of Saint Francis continues to offer testimony of fidelity to God and the Church.
This pilgrimage of the lamp will mark the path to Assisi. The Church of Messina, Lipari, Santa Lucia del Mela, together with the other Churches of Sicily, will offer the oil for the lamp that burns all year round at the tomb of the Saint on October 4th.
At the end of the procession, the day will end with the celebration of the Holy Mass, bringing the faithful back to the solemnity of Marian worship.
© All rights reserved.
Print Article
