Celebrations began today in honor of Saint Catherine of Siena, co-patron of Italy on the 25th anniversary of her proclamation as patroness of Europe.
The celebrations began today at 11am from the sanctuary – home of Santa Caterina in Fontebranda with the holy mass presided over by Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, archbishop of Siena – Colle di Val d’Elsa – Montalcino.
At 6pm, in the Basilica of San Domenico, a holy mass will be held presided over by the cardinal archbishop.
On Tuesday 30 April, at 5pm at the sanctuary of Santa Caterina, Father Alfredo Scarciglia’s conference will be held on “Saint Catherine of Siena dialogues with God the Merciful Father”, an overall look at the book.
On Friday 3 May, at 9pm in the cathedral of Siena, the concert in honor of Santa Caterina will be held with the orchestra and choir of the Rinaldo Franci conservatory of Siena, the children’s choir Sich, the polyphonic choir and children’s voices Nisea of Teramo and the Sienese polyphonic choir.
The program for Saturday 4 May includes a floral tribute to the statue of Saint Catherine at 3pm in via XXV Aprile by the institutions, associations, lay groups and parishes of the Archdiocese.
At 4 pm, in the Basilica of San Domenico, solemn mass with the confirmation of the creed for the confirmed and confirmands of the archdiocese presided over by Monsignor Lorenzo Leuzzi, bishop of Teramo – Atri and concelebrated by Cardinal Lojudice.
At 5.30pm the procession moves from the Basilica of San Domenico towards Piazza del Campo where speeches will be held by the Cardinal Archbishop Augusto Paolo Lojudice, Nicoletta Fabio, Mayor of Siena and the Bishop of Teramo – Atri Monsignor Lorenzo Leuzzi. Immediately afterwards, the blessing with the relic of Saint Catherine will be given to the city, the Archdiocese, Italy and Europe. At the end the flag-waving of the Sienese Contrade.
The celebrations close on Sunday 5 May. At 9.30 am, from the Town Hall of Siena, the procession of the districts leaves towards the sanctuary – home of Santa Caterina where at 10 am the traditional offering of oil for the votive lamp will be held which this year is offered by the Municipality of Teramo, representing the Municipalities of Italy, and the Municipality of Castellina in Chianti, representing the municipalities of the Archdiocese.
Following is the offer of the Ceri by the associations and aggregations. Greetings from the government representative and civil and religious authorities are expected. The ceremony is presided over by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-Sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the clergy in the presence of Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, Archbishop of Siena – Colle di Val d’Elsa – Montalcino, Monsignor Lorenzo Leuzzi, Bishop of Teramo – Atri and the authorities civil, military and ecclesiastical of the city of Siena and Teramo. Greetings from the representative of the Italian Government, civil and religious authorities and the guard of honor from the Armed Forces are expected.
At 11.30 am, the solemn holy mass will be held in the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena, presided over by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-Sik and concelebrated by Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice and Bishop Lorenzo Leuzzi.
The events of May 4th and 5th will be entirely broadcast live on Canale 3 Toscana.