Holy Thursday

Pilgrimage of the Cross Bearers to the Altars of Repose

On Holy Thursday, the Cross Bearers make a unique and evocative pilgrimage to the Altars of Repose, locally known as s-bbulcr (Sepulchres). During the journey, the penitents cross the nave of the church on their knees, carrying a cross. Once they reach the portal, they lay down the cross and undergo discipline, whipping their shoulders with an iron chain, a symbol of penance and devotion, which they carry tied to their ankles along the way.

Holy Thursday

Lighting of the Bonfire

On the evening of Holy Thursday, the traditional lighting of the bonfire takes place in the churchyard of the Church of Madonna della Lama. During this ceremony, bundles of brushwood collected by the citizens during Lent are burned as a propitiatory rite for a good harvest. This fire, rich in evangelical symbolism, could recall the bonfire at which Peter denied Jesus before the cock crowed.

-Date: 2 April 2026

-Time: 7:30 p.m.

-Location: Church of Madonna della Lama

Procession of the First Cross-Bearer (‘Craocia Vecchie’)

The Procession of the First Cross-Bearer, known as ‘Craocia Vecchie’, is a symbolic ritual that celebrates the penitent who is the most senior in terms of years of devotion and penance. This cross-bearer is accompanied by a small crowd of faithful, surrounded by torches and the sound of trozzue (rattles) carried by children. The procession evokes the tragic journey of Jesus, accompanied by Praetorian soldiers and the jeers of the crowd, from Caiaphas to Pilate.

-Date: 2 April 2026

-Time: 8:00 p.m.

-Location: Church of Madonna della Lama

Good Friday

Procession of the Naka

The Procession of the Naka, which takes place on the night of Good Friday, is one of the most moving celebrations of Holy Week. The Naka, a cradle-shaped funeral sarcophagus, symbolises the dead Christ taken down from the cross. It is carried at a slow, rocking pace, creating an atmosphere of great contemplation. This ritual, rooted in tradition, recalls the Greek origins of the term Naka and deeply involves the faithful.

-Date: 3 April 2026

-Time: 8:00 p.m.

-Location: Church of Madonna della Lama

Holy Saturday

Procession of Our Lady of Sorrows

In the early hours of Holy Saturday, in an atmosphere illuminated by the light of the full moon and red candles lit on balconies, the Procession of Our Lady of Sorrows departs from the Church of Santa Maria della Pace. The 18th-century statue of the Madonna, surrounded by women in mourning and cross-bearers, travels through all the streets of the town, visiting churches in search of her Son.

The ritual culminates at sunrise, when the viacroci, completing their penitential journey, kneel to kiss the mantle of the Madonna in the churchyard of the Mother Church. The statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, famous for its realistic and moving face, is a symbol of profound devotion.

-Date: 4 April 2026

-Time: 2:00

-Location: Church of Santa Maria della Pace

Procession of the Mysteries

The Procession of the Mysteries, held on the afternoon of Holy Saturday, is the last major event of Holy Week.

Starting from the Church of Madonna della Lama, the long procession depicts the salient moments of Christ's Passion, with the characters accompanying him on his way to Golgotha. This solemn celebration concludes the Easter rites with a profound religious meaning.

-Date: 4 April 2026

-Time: 3:00 p.m.

-Location: Church of Madonna della Lama

Holy Thursday / 2 April 2026

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

• NOICATTARO / Procession of the First Cross / Church of Madonna della Lama / 8:00 PM

Good Friday / 3 April 2026

• NOICATTARO / Procession of the “Naka” / Church of Madonna della Lama / 8:00 PM

Holy Saturday / 4 April 2026

• NOICATTARO / Procession of Addolorata / Church of Santa Maria della Pace / 2:00 AM

• NOICATTARO / Procession of the Mysteries / Church of Our Lady of 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.