The rite of the " Madonna che scappa in piazza" - Sulmona

The Rite of the "Madonna running in the square" on the morning of Easter day in Sulmona (AQ), is organized from centuries by the Brotherhood of St. Mary of Loreto, also of medieval origin, recalling the Resurrection of Christ, through a folk-religious function unique in its kind. Piazza Garibaldi is crowded with people. On one side of the square, under the arches of the Swabian, there is on a throne with the statue of the Risen Christ. On the other side there is the Church of St. Philip from which will come the Madonna in mourning, at the urging of the two disciples of Jesus, S. Peter and S. John, who have traveled to the glad tidings of the resurrection of Christ. The two saints are knocking mutually, but she believes only in San Giovanni at the third attempt. The mother of Jesus this time obeys the invitation of John, the church doors open and she goes out. The ritual is complex and Our Lady along unsteadily and clocked the distance that exists between the church and the center of the square because she is still overwhelmed with grief and incredulous. Halfway through the square, the mother of Jesus searches the horizon and better recognize the risen Son that awaits. At this point Our Lady begins a wild ride, during which she drops the black cloak of mourning. She is now wearing a green dress, the color of spring, a harbinger of happy wishes as a flight of doves is released into the sky accompanied by bursts of firecrackers. Once again,we can attend a ritual that has roots that go far beyond the remotest Christian dimension , when among the pagan peoples, early in the year , the popular sacred springs were celebrated, auspicious for wealth, fertility and happiness for the new generations.

The first to proclaim the Resurrection to the Virgin are St. Peter and St. John the Evangelist, the oldest and the youngest. As in the Gospel narrative, the two statues that represent them arrive first in San Filippo Church.

The Risen Christ waiting for his Mother.

Shortly after the aqueduct is set up a small stage decorated with red banners in which is placed the statue of the risen Jesus awaiting the arrival of the Mother.

The statue of the Madonna comes out only after three calls and walks slowly toward the center of the square. It 's still adorned with the black cloak, a symbol of mourning.

At this time the two apostles would step aside and stop. The statue of the Madonna and goes on and right near the fountain, the race starts.

This is the most exciting moment of the Easter events. The statue loses its black coat and unveils a green dress. The beginning of the ride is accompanied by the flight of doves, symbols of peace.

 flight of doves ...



Finally reunited....