On the 1st and 2nd of August in Canterano the most heartfelt festival involving all the inhabitants of the town takes place, the feast of Our Lady of the Angels - Madonna degli Angeli dedicated to the patron saint of the town with two impressive processions.
In reality, the festival begins on July 23 when the statue of the Madonna is placed in the canopy (called the machine) and taken to the church of Saint Mary and Saint Mauro in the center of the town.
The ritual is very ancient and is repeated every year when the traditional procession begins on August 1st, organized by the brotherhoods of Canterano dressed in traditional colored tunics.
During the procession, the ancient religious machine in gilded wood that represents the Virgin with the child is carried on the shoulders. To carry the weight of the wooden sculpture and the sacred vestments of about 8 quintals, the bearers dressed in white with a blue belt must use leather harnesses.
The evening procession starts from the central church of Saint Mary and Saint Mauro under the command 'Evviva Maria', and the procession is accompanied by the band and choirs that praise the Cantico le Ave Maria.
The procession ends at the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Angels about 2 kilometers from the village where a large bonfire is lit outside in front of the sanctuary. Upon arrival, the mighty machine is placed next to the entrance to the church and at this point everyone can refresh themselves with food, traditional sweets and drinks.
After the break, the nocturnal procession sets off again to return to the village where spectacular fireworks await them.
The procession is repeated on the morning of August 2, this time in the light of the sun, with the traditional group of women of the village carrying the traditional candles. This time the refreshments at the sanctuary take on the aspect of a real party where the famous Canterano bread and the donuts offered by the Mariani family, descendant of the shepherdess, are highlighted.
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