Name a street after Luana D’Orazio, the 22-year-old crushed by the warping machine she was employed on May 3, 2021 in Oste. This is what the Municipality of Montemurlo intends to do in agreement with the family of the young mother. Mayor Simone Calamai announced it on the anniversary of Luana’s death. Same day on which Montemurlo traditionally celebrates the patronal feast of the Cross. “This is a very important celebration for Montemurlo, a symbol but also a way to think about the future and the needs of a community – he underlined Inkwells -. Above all, today is a day linked to a tragic anniversary, the death of the young Luana in her workplace. With the family we are thinking, as soon as possible, of naming a street or a public place in the city after Luana, so that we can reflect on the tragedy of deaths at work. A title that is intended as a way to continue to ask for greater safety in the workplace and respect for the rules to protect people’s lives”. On the day of the Holy Cross, safety at work is the commitment of the Montemurlese community which looks to the future with hope.
That of the Cross is a celebration, important for tradition and for the feelings of the whole community. The Cross is in fact a symbol and an opportunity for reflection to think about the future, the needs of the community and peace in the world. This year too many wanted to participate in the traditional procession: the small processional cross in silver foil, dating back to the 14th century, has in fact left the shrine above the main altar of the parish church of San Giovanni Decollato alla Rocca where it is usually kept , and was carried in procession escorted by two carabinieri of the local Tenenza in full uniform and by the custodians of the Cross in traditional red and white clothes. The music of the Giuseppe Verdi Philharmonic accompanied the procession along the entire route, while the religious celebrations were led by Don Gianni Gasperini, Don Jarek from the parish of Fornacelle, Don Gildas from the church of Bagnolo and Don Roland. Followed by the banner of the Municipality of Montemurlo with the mayor, the councilors of the council, the commander of the municipal police Enrica Cappelli and the commander of the Carabinieri, Quintino Preite. Many people followed the cross along the route that from Piazza della Rocca descended to Morecci and crossed the streets of old Montemurlo up to the tabernacle of Campo Santo, the place, according to tradition, of the miraculous discovery after the theft from the Parish Church. of Rocca.
The parish priest of Fornacelle, Don Jarek, invited everyone, under the sign of the Holy Cross, to pray for peace in the world: «The feast of the Cross represents a symbol of salvation and peace in a time tormented by wars and violence, from Ukraine to the Middle East. For the Montemurlesi, those of yesterday and those who arrived in the last fifty years, the Cross has always been a symbol of unity, salvation and resurrection and new life. A symbol of love that invites us all to pray for peace in the world.”
The Holy Cross of Montemurlo will remain until Sunday 5 May at the church of the Sacred Heart and then will be brought back in procession to the Parish Church of San Giovanni Decollato where it is usually kept. Tradition has it that the Cross of Montemurlo was stolen from the church of the Rocca in 1326 and found by a farmer a few days later in a field near the Agna stream. The thieves fleeing towards Pistoia, the story goes, had hidden it in the field, since they were unable to cross the small stream which became impetuous every time the criminals tried to cross it. From that moment on, the Montemurlesi have always had a profound devotion to the Cross, resorting to it and carrying it in procession on the occasion of natural disasters, droughts, famines and epidemics.
