Feast of San Giovanni Battista in Monterosso Almo
The Feast of San Giovanni Battista in Monterosso Almo takes place in the month of June and in September.
In the month of June the anniversary of the birth of the Saint is celebrated, the June 24th. A busy liturgical program takes place on the occasion of the feast. A very evocative moment of the celebrations takes place on the evening of the eve of the feast when the Night of Saint John takes place, a shared moment of prayer. The celebrations conclude with the procession of the Holy Relic.
The great feast in honor of Saint John the Baptist in Monterosso Almo traditionally takes place on the first Sunday of September strong>.
It is one of the most awaited events by the inhabitants of the village and by all the emigrants who, on the occasion of the festival, return to their country of origin. For this reason, the feast of San Giovanni Battista in Monterosso Almo is always preceded by a few days of shows that culminate with the feast of the emigrant and the Golden Eagle Award, in which emigrants who have distinguished themselves in Italy and the rest of the world with their commitment and their industriousness.
The feast of San Giovanni Battista has very ancient origins, it is believed to date back to the 12th century. The most evocative and exciting moment of the festival is the traditional "nisciuta", or "exit", at 11.00, preceded by the blasts of 8 Egyptian trumpets. The release of the Simulacrum of St. John the Baptist, carried on the shoulders of the faithful, is accompanied by cries of emotion and applause, the outbreak of fireworks and the launch of the 'nzaiarieddi, ie strips of colored paper. Of particular artistic value is the eighteenth-century fercolo del Santo: hand-sculpted and completely covered with pure gold leaf; of more ancient origin is the statue. Next to the simulacrum of the Saint parades the banner of the brotherhood dedicated to the Saint and founded in August 1257, finely embroidered in gold and handmade.
On the occasion of the celebrations, two processions take place: the morning one is characterized by the presence of numerous faithful with bare feet and with wax in hand that precede the statue of the patron saint, pilgrims mostly came from neighboring villages during the night between Saturday and Sunday dawn; the evening one is particularly suggestive for the presence of artistic lights that illuminate the streets of the town.
In the afternoon of the party the traditional "dinner" takes place, that is the auction sale of typical products prepared by the locals and offered to the Holy. Particularly characteristic are the traditional loaves of bread that depict the face of the Patron Saint.
The celebrations end with a Pyro-Musical show.
Dates and Scheduling
7 Sep 2025
SOLEMNITY OF THE PATRON SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
05:00 - 06:00 Pilgrimage of faith of the City of Giarratana, which fulfills its annual vow to the Baptist
05:45 The festive ringing of the bells of all the churches and the firing of 21 cannon shots announce the feast day.
06:00 Solemn Eucharistic Celebration for pilgrims presided over by the Parish Priest Don Innocenzo Mascali
08:00 Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Salvatore Giaquinta
09:00 The Monterosso city band tour through the town streets
10:00 Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by our Bishop, His Excellency Giuseppe La Placa
11:00 Traditional NISCIUTA of the statue of the patron saint
among trumpet blasts, the launch of a multitude of 'nzaiarieddi, and the explosion of fireworks
17:00 Traditional dinner
19:30 Solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Don Davide Paglia
concelebrated by the Monterossa priests and the emeritus parish priests
20:30 Second Exit of the Statue of the Patron Saint and in Piazza San Giovanni a Grandiose FIREWORKS Display
22:00 Procession Stop and Grand Fireworks Display
Villa Poggio Angeli
22:30 Facade Traditional return of the Procession with the statue of the Patron Saint carried on the shoulders of the faithful
23:30 Reflection dictated by Don Davide Paglia
Followed by Spectacular Pyromusical Entertainment
Piazza San Giovanni
24:00 Return of the Procession and reposition of the statue of the Patron Saint on the High Altar
At the end of the San Giovanni Battista Lottery Drawing
Piazza San Giovanni
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References
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