Friday of the Passion

Way of the Cross at the rural church of Madonna degli Angeli

The Way of the Cross held on Good Friday is a deeply symbolic event in which the community of Monte Sant'Angelo participates. It takes place on the picturesque Viale della Chiesetta rurale Madonna degli Angeli, located about 1 km from the town centre.

-Date: 27 March 2026

-Time: 6:00 p.m.

-Location: Avenue of the rural church of Madonna degli Angeli

Holy Thursday

Grain of the Sepulchre (‘lu 'rene dlu subbuleche’)

On the evening of Holy Thursday, after the solemn exposition of the Eucharist, the mountain people, following a specific itinerary that winds through the narrow streets of the historic centre, visit the churches where the place of repose, once improperly called the “tomb”, is prepared. On this one occasion each year, these streets come alive with people of all ages who stop at all the open churches to pray. For the occasion, those who live in these areas make it a point of honour to clean the facades with white lime and leave their houses clearly visible through the glass doors and lights, with a “rich blanket” on the double bed. In the church of San Benedetto, the “odours” are still prepared with fruit slowly boiled in white wine, creating a truly unique atmosphere that completely envelops all the senses, not just the sense of smell. This is how, year after year, the ancient tradition is remembered, referring to the aromas with which the body of the Crucified Christ was embalmed and which today is also more liturgically referred to as the “perfume of the Eucharist”. Late at night, a long meditation is held, recalling step by step the agony of Christ in the Garden of Olives before his capture.

-Date: 2 April 2026

-Time: from 6 p.m.

-Place: in all the churches of Monte Sant'Angelo

Good Friday

“Office of Darkness”

The next day, early in the morning, again in the church of San Benedetto, the so-called ‘Office of Darkness’ is sung, consisting of three Nocturnes followed by Lauds: a centuries-old pre-conciliar function in Latin that has its roots in the monastic traditions of Benedictine abbeys and attracts enthusiasts and admirers from far and wide. Twelve psalms are sung, not in the classic Gregorian style, but in ancient local melodies, handed down from generation to generation among local organists and performed using the “first and second voice” technique. Of particular note are the moving and sweet Lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah, entrusted to various soloists and accompanied by a perfectly functioning 18th-century pipe organ. At the end, the brothers prostrate themselves on the ground while the notes of the Miserere echo, after which, as a candle symbolising the death of the Redeemer is extinguished, everyone makes a sombre noise by striking the church pews, aided by the croaking sound of the “bàttole”

(which we call “tròzzele”) as if to reproduce the upheaval of nature at the death of the Redeemer. The entire morning is taken up by the event, which is highly appreciated from both a religious and cultural point of view.

-Date: 3 April 2026

-Time: 9:00 a.m.

-Location: Church of St. Benedict

Procession of the Dead Christ

At dusk, the statue of the Dead Christ leaves the church of St. Francis of Assisi, headquarters of the Confraternity of Death, followed by an impressive crowd. The very long procession includes several statues of the mysteries, the Calvary, the confraternities with their characteristic hoods (which we call “pappalùsce”), and women dressed in black carrying symbols of the Passion. From the balconies and doorways of the houses, red lights twinkle along the route, marking the 14 stations of the Via Crucis, where the faithful have set up evocative altars. The procession stops in front of each one for a brief meditation interspersed with prayers and the sound of funeral marches played by the band. At the same time, the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows leaves San Benedetto. The encounter with her Son takes place in an unreal atmosphere of silence and emotion in the upper part of the village, after which the procession continues through the new quarters and returns to San Francesco late in the evening, while the whole night of Good Friday in Monte Sant'Angelo continues to shine with the lights left on until they are completely consumed.

-Date: 3 April 2026

-Time: 5:00 p.m.

-Place: Church of San Francesco

Easter Monday

On Easter Monday (also called “Angel Monday”), the population goes to a small church three kilometres from the town, in a secluded and enchanting place where the Madonna degli Angeli is venerated. Tradition has it that the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Francis of Assisi in that place as he was returning to his homeland after his historic visit to the Sanctuary of St. Michael, where, feeling unworthy of entering, he remained in long prayer on the threshold.

-Date: 6 April 2026

-Time: 11:00 a.m.

-Location: Rural church of Our Lady of the Angels

by Prof. Ernesto Scarabino

Way of the Cross at the rural Chiesetta Madonna degli Angeli

The Way of the Cross, held on Friday of the Passion, is a deeply symbolic event that involves the entire community of Monte Sant’Angelo. It takes place along the evocative Viale della Chiesetta rurale Madonna degli Angeli, located about 1 km from the town center.

The celebration will be attended by prominent figures such as the Mayor of Monte Sant’Angelo, Dr. Andrea Ciliberti, the Archbishop of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, S.E. Rev. Mons. Michele Castoro, and the artist Giuseppe Ricucci, making this gathering a significant moment of prayer and communion for the faithful.

-Date: March 27, 2026

-Time: 4:00 PM

-Location: Viale della Chiesetta rurale Madonna degli Angeli

Holy Thursday

Grano del Sepolcro ("lu 'rene dlu subbuleche")

On the evening of Holy Thursday, after the solemn exposition of the Eucharist, the people of Monte Sant’Angelo follow a precise itinerary through the narrow streets of the historic center, visiting the churches where the place of reposition—formerly, though incorrectly, called the "Sepulcher"—is set up. On this one night of the year, these streets come alive with people of all ages, stopping at every open church to pray. For the occasion, residents take great pride in freshly whitewashing the facades of their homes and making sure that through glass doors and illuminated entrances, their houses are visible, with the "coperta ricca" (rich cover) displayed on the marital bed. At the Chiesa di San Benedetto, the tradition of preparing "odori" continues, with fruits slowly boiled in white wine, creating a truly unique atmosphere that engages all the senses, especially the sense of smell. In this way, year after year, the ancient tradition is remembered—a reference to the aromas used to embalm the body of the Crucified Christ, which today, in a more liturgical sense, is also known as the "perfume of the Eucharist". Late at night, a long meditation takes place, recalling step by step the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest.

Prof. Ernesto Scarabino

-Date: April 2, 2026

-Time: from 6 p.m.
-Location: in all the churches of Monte Sant'Angelo

Good Friday

Procession of the Dead Christ

The next morning, early at Chiesa di San Benedetto, the "Mattutino delle Tenebre" (Matins of Darkness) is sung, consisting of three Nocturns followed by Lauds. This centuries-old pre-conciliar function in Latin has deep roots in the monastic traditions of Benedictine abbeys and attracts scholars and admirers from distant places. Twelve psalms are chanted, not in the classic Gregorian style, but in ancient local melodies, passed down from generation to generation among local organists. These are performed using the "prima e seconda voce" technique. Particularly moving are the Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah, sung by various soloists and accompanied by a perfectly functioning 18th-century pipe organ. At the end, the confratelli (brothers of the confraternity) prostrate themselves while the solemn Miserere is sung. After this, as a single candle symbolizing the death of the Redeemer is extinguished, the entire congregation produces a deep, echoing noise by striking the wooden pews, aided by the harsh sound of the "bàttole" (which are called "tròzzele" here), mimicking the upheaval of nature at the moment of Christ’s death.

The entire morning is dedicated to this deeply religious and cultural event. At dusk, from the Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi, home of the Confraternita della Morte, the statue of the Dead Christ is carried out in procession, followed by a massive crowd. This long procession includes statues of the Passion, the Calvary, and the confraternities wearing their distinctive hooded robes (known locally as "pappalùsce"). Women dressed in black carry the symbols of the Passion. From balconies and doorsteps, rows of red votive candles mark the route, while small altars are set up at each of the 14 Stations of the Cross, as part of the popular devotion. At each station, the procession pauses for a brief meditation, alternating prayers with the solemn funeral marches played by the town’s band. Meanwhile, from San Benedetto, the statue of the Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows) departs. The encounter between Mother and Son takes place in an unreal atmosphere of silence and emotion in the upper part of the town. After this, the procession continues through the newer districts and returns to San Francesco late at night, while throughout the entire Good Friday night in Monte Sant’Angelo, the red votive candles remain alight until they burn out completely.

On Easter Monday, also known as "dell’Angelo", the people of Monte Sant’Angelo make a pilgrimage to a small church three kilometers from town, located in a solitary and enchanting place, where the Madonna degli Angeli is venerated.Tradition holds that it was in this very place that the Virgin appeared to Saint Francis of Assisi while he was returning to his homeland after his historic visit to the Sanctuary of San Michele. Feeling unworthy to enter the sanctuary, he remained in long prayer on the threshold.

Prof. Ernesto Scarabino

-Date: April 3, 2026

-Time: 5:00 PM

-Location: Chiesa di San Francesco

Good Friday / 27 March 2026

• MONTE SANT'ANGELO / Way of the Cross at the rural church of Madonna degli Angeli / Madonna degli Angeli Church / 6 p.m.

Holy Thursday / 2 April 2026

MONTE SANT'ANGELO / Il Grano del Sepolcro (lu 'rene dlu subbuleche) / in all the churches of Monte Sant'Angelo / 6:00 p.m.

Good Friday / 3 April 2026

MONTE SANT'ANGELO / Office of Darkness / Church of San Benedetto / 9:00 a.m.

MONTE SANT'ANGELO / Procession of the Dead Christ / Church of San Francesco / 5:00 p.m.

CONFRATERNITA DELLA MORTE

It is based in the Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi and was founded on November 6, 1794. Its members petitioned His Majesty Ferdinand IV to grant his royal approval to the Lay Congregation under the title "dei Morti".

Throughout the 19th century, it was an honor for nobles, professionals, and priests of Monte Sant’Angelo to belong to the Venerable Confraternita della Morte.

CONFRATERNITA DI S. ANTONIO ABATE

It is based in the Chiesa di San Benedetto and was founded on November 5, 1799, through an approval decree issued by Ferdinand IV, King of the Two Sicilies.

CONFRATERNITA DELLA SS. TRINITÀ

It is based in the Chiesa della S. Trinità and was founded on October 22, 1905.