Patron Saint Day

We decided on a day of rest Sunday, which brought us to downtown Vicenza to play and enjoy a Sunday lunch.  Monday is a holiday for the people of  Vicenza because it is their patron saint day;  “La Madonna del Monte Berico.”   A long, long time ago (1400’s) the city of Vicenza was suffering from the plague when the Virgin Mary appeared twice to some key folks, told them to build a church on top of the hill and promised an end to the plague.  Soon there was a church, and don’t you know, the plague was gone.  The good citizens of Vicenza have been paying homage to her ever since.  In fact, when we drove Maddy to her babysitter’s house (school is closed too) at 7 am, we could see the faithful, young and old, already starting the annual procession up to the church.  The Monte Berico area of Vicenza (where we were fortunate to live before moving to Lumignano) is very beautiful. Here is a site dedicated to the church.

There is not really a separation of church and state here.  Though few young people (uhh. . those under 60?) actually go to church, many of the traditions and customs of the people are connected to the church.  The church lives on.