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Matrice Mesagne
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Brindisi: the path of faith
The path of faith
Brindisi is a land rich of resources and opportunities including
a tradition of faith and devotion typical of the religious
dimension of its people. From small town to small town, from
land to land, the patron festivities run for the whole year in
a phantasmagoric calendar of lights, sounds and colors.
Every community gathers around its own saint to which renders
solemn celebrations: illuminations, concerts of bands, fireworks
frame the long processions of faithful people who follow the
blessing statue.
The Christmas tree hasn't defeated here the tradition of the
Nativity scene nor the choral representations of the Nativity,
the living Nativity scenes set in the streets of the suburbs, in
the scenery setting of the rocky settlements or in the ancient
farms.
The rites of the Holy Week and of Easter are present in the area
of Brindisi, and in Francavilla Fontana they take on forms of
high suggestion. Here the enigmatic figure of the "pappamusci",
hooded and barefoot penitents, start on Maundy Thursday from
church to church to visit the "sepolcri" (Sepulchers), and the "pappamusci
cu lli trai", bent under the weight of huge crosses, follow the
procession on Good Friday, renewing the tragedy of the Passion
every year and arousing the moved participation of the crowd
thronged along the streets.
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At atmosphere of great spirituality
blows around the sanctuaries, located mostly in the peaceful
tranquility of the country, in places where the collective
memory hands down miracles or prodigious facts. The Marian
worship has ancient roots in the land of Brindisi and there are
a lot of sanctuaries dedicated to Our Lady, built mostly after
finding by chance a sacred effigy or after events considered
miracles.
That is exactly what happened for the sanctuary of
"Madonna di Jaddico" in Brindisi; that of Cotrino in Latiano;
for the sanctuary of "S. Maria della Croce" in Francavilla
Fontana; that of Pozzo Faceto in Fasano; that of "Madonna di
Ibernia" in Cisternino and the sanctuary of Belvedere in
Carovigno.
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In Ostuni, the itinerary of faith is added to that of
the landscape: the street that goes to the sanctuaries of S.
Oronzo and S. Biagio climbs up the hill, discovering at each
hairpin bend a beautiful landscape, an atmosphere that sings the
praises of meditation and nature.
In S. Pancrazio Salentino, the
sanctuary of S. Antonio alla Macchia has been built on a small
monastic church and is surrounded by a forest of pines, crowded
by many devoted believers, S. Maria Crepacore in Torre S.
Susanna and the small temple of S. Miserino in Sandonaci
complete wonderfully this itinerary with the witness of their
ancient architectonic structures.
Destination of pilgrimages and solemn processions, the Marian
sanctuaries are places of the spirit where the popular faith and
devotion express themselves in their most authentic forms with
ancient and suggestive rites. The idea of the prodigy represents
the daily life of the trusting people who ask the taumaturgical
intercession of the Saints Cosmas and Damian in the sanctuary of
"San Cosimo alla Macchia" in the land of Oria.
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Ostuni Churches
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The big religious
building developed on the site of an ancient church, today is a
real citadel of faith, destination of thousands of pilgrims.
What strikes the visitors is the hall of the "ex-vote", where the
popular faith has interwoven a big puzzle made of signs now
humble and innocent, now precious and solemn, always of great
emotional impact. in the itinerary of the faith places there is
also Erchie, a small center where since the year 1000 the sacred
mortal remains of Saint Lucia are hidden in a ravine.
On the rim
of that ravine, where water considered miraculous pours out, the
popular faith in 1700 has built a church that has become
destination of pilgrimage for the people, who wetting their eyes
in the sacred source, ask the protection of the Saint of
Syracuse.
- Courtesy of Brindisi Tourist Office
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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