Poli: the feast of St Anthony the Abbot

FEAST of SAINT ANTHONY THE ABBOT

The Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Poli is celebrated on the Sunday after 17 January, the day on which the Saint is remembered in the calendar of saints of the Catholic Church and, for those who prefer popular festivities, the day on which Carnival begins. The Feast begins early, when dawn is greeted with the firing of bombs (obviously not weapons of war) followed by the Blessing of the animals in the church of Sant'Antonio in the lower and older part of the village. After this rite the animals parade through Poli, but unfortunately we did not manage to see them. We did, however, see the image of the Saint, carried shoulder-high in the traditional procession along the streets of the village and the historic centre.

At the end of the procession the Pelliccioni family, along the main street of the village, distributes blessed (cooked) broad beans and bread, following an ancient tradition that has lasted for over 200 years, in memory of the miraculous rescue of one of their ancestors, Giulio Pelliccioni, brought about through the intercession of the Saint.

THANKS to Rita (aunt), Rossana and Patrizia (cousins) for inviting us and for spending with us a truly special Sunday.