Holy Thursday

Pellegrinaggio dei “Perduni”

On Holy Thursday, the Confraternita del Purgatorio organizes the ancient and evocative Pellegrinaggio dei Perduni. Pairs of barefoot and hooded confreres, as a sign of penance, slowly walk through the streets of the town towards the Chiesa Madre to adore Jesus in the Eucharist. Walking with a characteristic swaying movement called Nazzicare, the Perduni evoke an ancient tradition passed down by the Carmelite monks, who originally made a pilgrimage to Mount Palestine to pray at the sites of Christ’s Passion.

Today, this pilgrimage represents a moment of deep spirituality, attracting numerous faithful and visitors who come to witness this ritual and admire the Sepolcri prepared in the churches.

-Date: April 17, 2025

-Time: 5:00 PM

-Location: Chiesa del Purgatorio

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Good Friday

Processione dei Misteri

The Processione dei Misteri in Pulsano, held on the afternoon of Good Friday, is a centuries-old tradition dating back to the 18th century. Organized by the Confraternita del Purgatorio, this event represents the pinnacle of devotion for the local community.

The procession begins around 3:30 PM with the exit of the first barefoot and hooded confrere, carrying the bordone and the troccola, a wooden instrument with metal clappers. He is followed by the black banner, symbolizing mourning, and the Croce dei Misteri, adorned with the symbols of Christ’s Passion.

The statues that make up the procession are of extraordinary artistic and spiritual value:

1. Cristo all’Orto, Cristo alla Colonna, Ecce Homo, and Gesù Cadente, created by Giuseppe Greco (1834-1836).

2. Cristo Morto, a masterpiece by Giuseppe Pagano (1799), sculpted from a single block of wood.

3. Vergine Santissima Addolorata, listed in the confraternity’s records since the early 1700s.

4. Crocifisso, made of papier-mâché, from the Lecce school.

The statues, with glass eyes and craftsmanship in the Neapolitan style, are carried with the slow, swaying movement of Nazzicare, in time with funeral marches performed by musical bands. The statue of Cristo Morto, of exceptional beauty, is escorted by Carabinieri in full dress uniform and Honor Guards, selected by the prior for their dedication to the confraternity.

The procession continues until the early hours of the morning, concluding with the return of the statues and symbols to the Chiesa del Purgatorio, in an atmosphere of deep devotion and contemplation.

-Date: April 18, 2025

-Time: 4:00 PM

-Location: Chiesa del Purgatorio

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Holy Thursday / April 17, 2025

• PULSANO / Pellegrinaggio dei “Perduni” / Chiesa del Purgatorio / 5:00 PM

Good Friday / April 18, 2025

• PULSANO / Processione dei Misteri / Chiesa del Purgatorio / 4:00 PM

VENERABLE ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF PURGATORY

The Confraternita del Purgatorio was founded under the title of the Most Holy Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel in 1687 by Don Domenico Isaia, spiritual father and economic curator of the parish chapter. At the time of its foundation, the Confraternita del Purgatorio consisted of 29 confreres and 4 novices, who were nobles or belonged to noble and landowning families of the town. Thorough research has established that the Confraternita del Purgatorio already existed before 1687. In fact, in 1684, during a visit to the village of Pulsano and its churches, Monsignor Pignatelli noted that in the Chiesa Madre there was an altar of the Most Holy Crucifix under the care of the Confraternita del Purgatorio. The history of the Confraternita del Purgatorio shows its constant growth over the centuries. It soon became an important center for the social, cultural, and religious life of the Pulsano community, a role it still holds today despite its more than three centuries of history. A fundamental moment in the life of the confraternity, after the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel—which takes place on July 16 with a public procession—is the Holy Week rites, which culminate in the Processione del Venerdì Santo.

The cuisine of Pulsano reflects the authenticity and simplicity of the Apulian tradition, with dishes that highlight local products and the crystal-clear waters of the Ionian coast. Bruschetta, a crispy dry bread topped with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and oregano, is one of the symbols of the local culinary tradition, perfect for a fresh and light meal, especially in the summer months. Another typical dish is the delicious fave e fogghie—fava beans and chicory.