The ways of the Soul

How many times have you heard that Italy is a land of Saints and Navigators? If this saying is valid a bit for the whole Bel Paese, for Campania it seems to be tailor-made. In fact, with 500 km of coastline the maritime traditions can certainly not miss (just think of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi) and as for the Saints, the spirituality of Campania, and in particular Neapolitan, enjoys fame second only to pizza, to remain in the region.

With these premises it should not be surprising that every country hasits patronal feast inextricably linked to centuries-old myths and traditions in which the sacred merges with the profane. Festivals and religious rites are also linked to particular festivities and anniversaries. Just as an example, I point out here the Infiorate of the Corpus Christi of Cusano Mutri and Sant’Agata dei Goti, the Rite of Darkness on the Wednesday of Holy Week in Sessa Aurunca, the boat procession on the occasion of the celebrations for the patron saint in San Marco di Castellabate and what is perhaps the most famous event, the Miracle of San Gennaro which is repeated three times a year (the Saturday before the first Sunday of May, September 19 and December 16) in Naples.

In addition, in Campania there are many places that have great spiritual importance and attract pilgrims from all over the world every year. One thinks, for example, of the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary in Pompeii, the Holy Places of Padre Pio in Pietrelcina, the Sanctuary of Montevergine in Mercogliano, the Sanctuary of San Gerardo Maiella in Caposele.

Places and events that allow you to bring your soul closer to God and to immerse yourself, regardless of faith, in the culture and traditions of a people.