Holy Thursday

Pellegrinaggio dei Crociferi to the Altars of Reposition

On Holy Thursday, the Crociferi undertake a unique and evocative pilgrimage to the Altars of Reposition, locally known as s-bbulcr (Sepulchres). During the journey, the penitents cross the nave of the church on their knees while carrying a cross. Upon reaching the portal, they lay down the cross and practice self-discipline by flagellating their shoulders with an iron chain, a symbol of penance and devotion, which they keep tied to their ankle throughout the pilgrimage.

Holy Thursday

Lighting of the Bonfire

On the parvis of Chiesa Madonna della Lama, on the evening of Holy Thursday, the traditional lighting of the bonfire takes place. During this ceremony, bundles of brushwood collected by the townspeople during Lent are burned as a propitiatory ritual for a good harvest. This fire, rich in evangelical symbolism, may recall the bonfire near which Peter denied Jesus before the rooster crowed.

-Date: April 17, 2025

-Time: 7:30 PM

-Location: Chiesa Madonna della Lama

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Holy Thursday

Processione del Primo Crocifero ("Craocia Vecchie")

The Processione del Primo Crocifero, known as "Craocia Vecchie", is a symbolic rite honoring the oldest Crocifero in terms of years of devotion and penance. This Crocifero is accompanied by a small crowd of faithful, surrounded by torches and the sound of trozzue (rattles) dragged by children. The procession evokes the tragic journey of Jesus, accompanied by the Praetorian soldiers and the mockery of the crowd, from Caiaphas to Pilate.

-Date: April 17, 2025

-Time: 8:00 PM

-Location: Chiesa Madonna della Lama

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Good Friday

Processione della Naka

The Processione della Naka, held on the night of Good Friday, is one of the most moving celebrations of Holy Week. The Naka, a cradle-shaped funeral sarcophagus, symbolizes Christ’s body after being taken down from the cross. It is carried with a slow, rocking motion, creating an atmosphere of deep contemplation. This rite, deeply rooted in tradition, recalls the Greek origins of the term Naka and profoundly moves the faithful.

-Date: April 18, 2025

-Time: 8:00 PM

-Location: Chiesa Madonna della Lama

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Holy Saturday

Processione dell’Addolorata

In the early hours of Holy Saturday, illuminated by the full moon and the red candles lit on balconies, the Processione dell’Addolorata departs from Chiesa Santa Maria della Pace. The 18th-century statue of the Virgin, surrounded by mourning women and Crociferi, moves through all the streets of the town, visiting the churches in search of her Son.

The rite culminates at sunrise when the viacroci, completing their penitential journey, kneel to kiss the Virgin’s mantle on the parvis of the Chiesa Madre. The statue of the Addolorata, renowned for its realistic and moving expression, is a symbol of deep devotion.

-Date: April 19, 2025

-Time: 2:00 AM

-Location: Chiesa Santa Maria della Pace

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Holy Saturday

Processione dei Misteri

The Processione dei Misteri, held in the afternoon of Holy Saturday, represents the final major event of Holy Week. Departing from Chiesa Madonna della Lama, the long procession reenacts the key moments of Christ’s Passion, with figures representing those who accompanied Him on the way to Golgotha. This solemn and composed celebration concludes the Easter rites with deep religious significance.

-Date: April 19, 2025

-Time: 3:00 PM

-Location: Chiesa Madonna della Lama

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Holy Thursday / April 17, 2025

• NOICATTARO / Bonfire lighting / Chiesa Madonna della Lama / 7:30 PM

• NOICATTARO / Processione del Primo Crocifero / Chiesa Madonna della Lama / 8:00 PM

Good Friday / April 18, 2025

• NOICATTARO / Processione della “Naka” / Chiesa Madonna della Lama / 8:00 PM

Holy Saturday / April 19, 2025

• NOICATTARO / Processione dell’Addolorata / Chiesa Santa Maria della Pace / 2:00 AM

• NOICATTARO / Processione dei Misteri / Chiesa Madonna della Lama / 3:00 PM

CONFRATERNITA SANTISSIMO SACRAMENTO

Archbishop Antonio Puteo, in November 1570, during his pastoral visit to the parish S.M. della Pace, reminded the confratelli of the Congrega del Santissimo Sacramento of some of their duties. Therefore, its establishment certainly predates this visit. It participates in:

1. On October 7th each year, in the feast of the Madonna del Rosario, patroness of the Confraternita.

2. During the ottavario dei Morti (November 2-9), with the celebration of a Mass in suffrage for deceased confratelli.

3. On the Sundays of Lent, together with other Confraternite, in the Quarantaore, in the churches where Gesù Sacramentato is exposed.

4. On Domenica delle Palme, in the solemn blessing in the square and the procession towards the chiesa Madre. After the last morning Mass, confratelli, in turns, remain in adoration during the Quarantaore in the chiesa Madre, and until Domenica di Pasqua, they take care of the liturgical life in the parish.

5. On Giovedì Santo: Mass of the Cena del Signore with the Lavanda dei Piedi ceremony, the offering of Pane e Vino, the preparation of the altare della Reposizione (Sepolcro), and the organization of the corteo cittadino with the participation of local authorities and the people for the visit to the Sette Chiese. 6. On the first Sunday of May, in the Festa delle Anime del Purgatorio.

7. On the Sunday following July 16th, in the procession of the Festa Patronale.

8. In the procession of Corpus Domini.

9. Monthly, confratelli gather for a moment of catechesis guided by the Padre Spirituale.

10. It does not participate in funerals, except those of its own confratelli and consorelle.

CONFRATERNITA DELLA PASSIONE E MORTE DI NOSTRO SIGNORE GESÙ CRISTO

The Chiesa della Madonna della Lama is home to the Confraternita della Passione e Morte di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, which, according to Curia records, was established in 1615, though it almost certainly existed earlier in the now-demolished chiesa del Soccorso.

This Confraternita is the guardian of ancient and still-vivid tradizioni pasquali, with processions and penitenze corporali performed by the incappucciati flagellanti—the crociferi—which some local historians trace back to the obscure religiosità medioevale. The deeply moving atmosphere of a mysticism, perhaps anachronistic yet always authentic, attracts crowds of devoti and curiosi.