SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS IN SAN VENANZO

September always brings the religious celebration of Santa Maria del Liberatrice. The 14th century church is only open on special occasions, but it's a tiny jewel. On Monday the church bells rang throughout the day in anticipation, then later in the afternoon the procession marched through town in it's usual order: all the men, followed by the priests and the town band, then all the women and children.








Once the circuit was complete a few prayers were said inside the larger, more modern town church, then the band played.




After that it was porchetta sandwiches, drinks and crostata for all. When we first arrived here we simply looked on at these events. Since we don't subscribe to their religion it didn't seem right to join in the gatherings or partake of the food, but over and over again the townspeople have invited, no encouraged us to attend. Ah! the true meaning of Christianity! How refreshing!




Inside the parish hall were tables filled with various household goods and trinkets, donated I'm sure by the local shops. For €1 you could stick your hand into a large glass vase filled with tiny scrolls, all secured inside a piece of tiny, round pasta. We bought two chances; the first translated into a pen, but the second was a lovely glazed baking dish, perfect for a side dish. Father Jerry, the Irish pastor (yes, we are ecumenical here!) told me that the proceeds will benefit a church in Brazil, a church where our local priests have worked, so it's more than just a theoretical friendship.


Next door at the Bar Centrale a man was singing, accompanied by the modern wonders of a karaoke machine. The kids ran around with swords made of balloons, the adults danced, or watched, or just gossiped and enjoyed. A wonderful summer evening in San Venanzo.





Tomorrow we'll begin a new festa, the Festa dello Sport, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the town's soccer team. Every night we'll have fun, food, music and dancing. One night we'll have fencing demonstrations, another karate demonstrations, all in keeping with the sports theme. Not surprisingly, we'll be there every night! The cooler nights will make it even more enjoyable.