Religious festivals Rome

This double commemoration of the consecration of the major basilicas of Rome to the two apostles dates from xi^e century.

The major basilica of Saint-Jean-de-Latran is particularly honoured this day during which you will report of his creation and its dedication.

The Church commemorates here the incredible encounter of Jesus with the prophets Moses and Elie, in a blinding light which gives Christ a new appearance, including Peter, in particular. The episode is important: it marks the link between the messianic tradition of the Old Testament and the coming of the Messiah in the New Testament.

Festival. The exemplary life of Etienne is illustrated by Fra Angelico Nicoline in the chapel of the apostolic palace, you can visit.

Solemnity. This celebration exists since the middle of xviii^e century, inspired by various religious and spiritual traditions. In 2002, the Church traced that this devotion linked to the heart of Jesus as a symbol of love of god, who was at the origin of the creation of the world and the sacrifice of Christ for the safety of men.

The Church celebrates the mysterious announcement that Archangel Gabriel does to Mary: She will be born without a man, and the one she carries is the Messiah.

Party. The Church of Rome particularly celebrates the time of the conversion of Paul, who rov Christians in order to lead them to torture. The persecutor is then blinded by a light on the road to Damascus and his new faith gives him the sight. Inspired by the zeal of the converted, he édifiera many Christian communities in the Mediterranean basin and will die for his faith, as a martyr, in Rome.

On the occasion of the feast of Santa Francesca Romana, patron saint of motorists, in Rome, all vehicles can be blessed just outside the church of the same name, near the Colosseum. This is enough to prevent any accident! This tradition dates back to 1928 and sees every year institutional vehicles (police trucks...) and emergency vehicles (ambulances...) as well as citizens' personal cars meet. It is even said that some children go there in their small cars: it is better to be prepared!

A festival to which the Romans attach great importance: it is celebrated around the piazza San Giovanni in Laterano. Games, fireworks, music and various events are on the program. Born in 1891, the festa di San Giovanni Battista was celebrated during the summer solstice. During this night, many exorcisms were practiced because the popular belief was that witches fly over Rome, passing over the basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano.

The Parco della Musica auditorium in Rome celebrates the Christmas holidays by hosting the Christmas festival in the auditorium (Natale Auditorium). The site, designed by the famous architect Renzo Piano, looks like a Christmas village with many activities, gastronomic or local craft stands and an ice rink. There are many concerts to attend, including the Roma Gospel Festival, which features the best contemporary gospel choirs, as well as shows (tales, puppets, classical orchestras, etc.).

In Italy, for the night of San Lorenzo, also known as the "Night of Tears of San Lorenzo", tradition dictates that we gather on the beach to admire the shooting stars, sparkling at this time of year. In Rome, there is no beach but a San Lorenzo district celebrating its patron saint! For the occasion, fireworks are fired, processions take place and bands march. San Lorenzo is one of the most authentic districts in Rome, even more so during this popular and festive festival.

A joyful popular celebration that has come back in vogue recently. On Via Andrea Doria, in the Trionfale district (northwest of Rome), donuts (the famous bigné di San Giuseppe) and sweet fried food are sold to the crowd to celebrate Saint Joseph's Day, which is also Father's Day in Italy. Sports events are organized as well as parades of bands and animations for children (make-up...). It is an important event for the inhabitants of the district who gather in large numbers in a good-natured atmosphere.

Today we celebrate the commemoration of the consecration of the first basilica, which dates back to 356, and the successive buildings on the Esquiline, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary would have appeared one day to Pope Libera to ask him to build a basilica where the snow would fall. The next day, flakes bleached the area of the current basilica. It is this miraculous event that is celebrated in Rome and, for the occasion, white flower petals are thrown in rain into the Pauline Chapel during a ceremony.

On the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope goes in the afternoon to Piazza di Spagna, at the foot of the Column of the Immaculate, since 1854. A religious ceremony and a blessing are performed there. Please note that the feast of the Immaculate Conception is a holiday in Italy. It is therefore likely that some restaurants or stores will be closed. It is also the day when Italians traditionally decorate their Christmas tree.