Thursday, February 1 Feast of the Patron Saint with Fair. Opening of the shrine
from Wednesday afternoon with First Vespers and exposition of sacred relics.
Castelfiorentino huddles around its Saint, Verdiana degli Attavanti, towards whom the Castelfiorentino community has always shown a sincere feeling of devotion and religious spirituality. Thursday, Feb. 1, marks the celebration of St. Verdiana, Patron Saint in Castelfiorentno, which again this year will be accompanied by the patronal fair that will be held in the streets and squares of the center, which are located near the shrine.
Religious celebrations in honor of the Saint will kick off as early as Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 31 – 5 p.m.) with Vespers and the exposition of the Holy Relics, which will be followed – at 6 p.m. – by Holy Mass. On Thursday, Feb. 1, the celebration will begin early in the morning with the traditional patronal fair (Kennedy Square, Potente Avenue, Timignano Street) in which about 50 exhibitors will participate throughout. At 9:30 a.m., the Museum of Sacred Art, next to the Church, will be open, where there will be a stall with the traditional objects of the feast and inside which the Castellano Philatelic Numismatic Circle will make available (for viewing and purchase) postcards with philatelic cancellation from past years.
A Mass is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. in the Shrine and will be presided over by Fr. Gherardo Gambelli, castellan, former Vicar General of Mongo in Chad. Returning to the diocese, Fr. Gherardo is now pastor of Our Lady of the Cough in Florence and assistant spiritual director in the seminary. The 10:30 a.m. Mass will also be attended by the mayor of Castelfiorentino, Alessio Falorni, and the city’s banner will be present
The celebrations in honor of St. Verdiana will continue in the afternoon (3:30 p.m.) with Mass dedicated to children and youth in catechism with their families. This will be followed (4:30 p.m.) by the Procession through the streets of the village (route: Via Battisti, Via Palestro, Piazza Cavour, Via Garibaldi, Via Ferruccio, Piazza del Popolo), concluding with the blessing given to the village and second Vespers at the Church of San Lorenzo (6 p.m.). At 8 p.m. the Shrine is scheduled to close.
In the photo: Fr. Gherardo Gambelli in Chad.