Celestinian Forgiveness

Since 1294, the Feast of the Celestinian Forgiveness has been held in the city of L'Aquila, capital of the Abruzzo Region. This event involves a large part of the province of L'Aquila according to a traditional itinerary of the "Path of Forgiveness," (a walk of about 80 km). It starts from the Celestinian Hermitage of Sant'Onofrio on the slopes of Mount Morrone in Sulmona and passes through numerous villages, ending in the center of the city of L'Aquila. Animating the "Procession" are about 1,000 citizens in traditional historical costumes who accompany three main characters: the "Lady of the Bubble," the "Young Lord" and the "Lady of the Cross" who symbolize the traditional values of the Feast: welcome, solidarity and peace. The ritual public reading of the "historic Bull" made by the mayor of L'Aquila anticipates the opening of the so-called "Holy Door" of the Basilica of Collemaggio. The feast ends with the closing of the Door, the procession accompanying the Bull back to the municipal headquarters and the extinguishing of the tripod in the historic center.