The historical procession for the feast of Saint Catherine of Siena in Varazze (© Enzo Pugno)
Varazze. The events for the feast of the patron saint Saint Catherine of Siena continue. After the evocative historical re-enactment, curated by the Cultural Association Sacred Representations of Catherine of Siena, on Tuesday 30 April, the day of the anniversary, a solemn mass will be celebrated at 9.30 am in the Sant’Ambrogio Church. The authorities will be present, including the bishop Monsignor Calogero Marino. At the end, the procession will be held with the “casket” of Saint Catherine up to the sanctuary of the same name, where around midday there will be a religious service in fulfillment of the vow and the prayer for the fellow patron saint, Blessed Jacopo da Voragine. At 3.30pm from Piazza San Domenico the procession will return to Sant’Ambrogio, where the Eucharist will be celebrated at 6pm.
Furthermore, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the transfer of the ashes of the blessed Jacopo from Genoa to Varazze (1974 – 2024) and the fourth centenary of the election of Caterina da Siena and the blessed as co-patrons of the city (1625 – 2025) the “Jacopo” Study Center da Varagine” has developed the project “Jacopo da Varagine and Caterina da Siena between devotion and culture”, which includes a series of events to deepen the knowledge of both figures and their time.
It will begin on Saturday 4 May at 5.30 pm at the Sanctuary of Santa Caterina with the conference on “The words of Caterina in the Legenda maior” by Silvia Nocentini of the Tor Vergata University of Rome. We will continue on May 18th again at 5.30 pm at the sanctuary with the lectio magistralis by Paolo Nardi, professor at the University of Siena and prior emeritus of the International Caterinati Association, on “The diffusion of the cult of Saint Catherine of Siena over the centuries ”.
The calendar will also include the feast in honor of Blessed Jacopo da Voragine at the Collegiata Sant’Ambrogio on 13 July, the solemn mass on the feast of Blessed Jacopo in the Dominican Conventual Church on 18 July, and a meeting on the origins of the historical procession on 5 October and sacred representations in honor of Saint Catherine, curated by Elvira Todeschi, at the sanctuary. On 26 October in the Council Room of the Town Hall, a round table will be held on “Translating Jacopo da Varagine yesterday and today” with university professors Marinella Garcia Sampere (Alicante), Speranza Cerullo (Pisa) and Francesco Stella (Siena). Coordinator Giovanni Paolo Maggioni of the University of Molise.
On the same day, the concert “La Fonte Musica” will take place in the Dominican church, in which the “Messe de Notre-Dame” and pieces by contemporary authors will be performed, with the artistic direction of Antonio Delfino and Vittoria Fontana. On November 29th at the Oratorio San Bartolomeo the concert “L’estro barocco” will take place with motets for solo voice and instruments, again with the artistic direction of Delfino and Fontana. Finally, on December 7th the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the translation of the relics of Jacopo da Voragine, with the solemn mass in the San Domenico Church.
The cycle of events is organized in collaboration with the local group of the International Caterinati Association, with the patronage of the Municipality, the Province of Savona, the Liguria Region and the Diocese of Savona-Noli and the contribution of the Agostino De Mari Foundation. “In addition to the religious meaning, the anniversaries also have a civil meaning, since the city has kept alive the bond established with its patrons – states the center – The profound identity of Varazze gathers around both. The anniversaries that we are preparing to commemorate represent the most suitable opportunity to rethink the ancient days while looking to the future”. “Varazze is particularly grateful to Saint Catherine for the constant divine attention that she has always paid to the city and honors her by renewing her esteem and affection and asking her to always watch over the common good”, declares the mayor Luigi Pierfederici.
