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Suggeriamo : ultimo in ordine di tempo, dato alle stampe per i tipi di ConfrontoGrafic - Fondi, nel mese di marzo del 2002 è "ITRI da non dimenticare - Storia di una vita e di un paese". Autori Maura Pelliccia e Paolino(Francesco Paolo) Manzo. Paolino in veste di narratore e la Prof.ssa Maura Pelliccia che ne ha raccolto le testimonianze. Ho letto il libro tutto d'un fiato. Provando sentimenti contrastanti; dal sorriso al riso, dalla commozione, al pianto e riso. Conoscere in parte la storia che Paolino ha raccontato, mi ha facilitato anche la lettura del dialetto, che ho solo in parte appreso data la mia lunga permanenza a Itri. Alla fine della lettura mi è venuto spontaneo fare alcune considerazioni. La memoria storica di un paese e della sua gente è stata recuperata con semplicità da un personaggio che ho conosciuto. Un uomo semplice sempre sorridente, non privo di quell'arguzia che si legge nel suo raccontare. La saggezza di una persona che è stata testimone della nostra tradizione contadina. Un periodo della nostra storia raccontato da un nonno ai nipoti(i giovani di Itri). Mentre leggevo dei momenti di vita quotidiana della gente di Itri, scorrevano nella mente i fotogrammi di una civiltà che Ermanno Olmi seppe descrivere nel suo "Albero degli zoccoli" con maestria e verismo esemplare. Quante analogie nel narrare di Paolino di questa terra, simile alla "Cascina" del nord Italia. Dagli usi alla miseria, dalla sofferenza alla durezza del lavoro dei campi, dalla religiosità alla speranza. Un nord ed un sud che divideva tutto questo in ugual misura. Una Italia che ancor prima di essere unita era identica negli usi e una condizione fatta per lo più di vita grama e di sofferenze. Fatto salvo le eccezioni naturalmente !! Un grazie a Paolino e alla Prof.sa Pelliccia. Avete colmato un vuoto che altri, pur narrando nei loro scritti, non hanno saputo rendere così vero, poetico, spesso, drammatico. Il libro adottato come testo scolastico dalla scuola media "S. Giovanni Bosco di Itri", sicuramente, sortirà nei giovani gli effetti che gli autori speravano; conoscere per tramandare, tramite un racconto di vita vissuta e testimonianze raccolte, la memoria storica di una terra e della sua gente. Pubblicazioni :21 giugno 2002- è in fase avanzata di stampa il nuovo libro "LA MADONNA E IL SANTUARIO DELLA CIVITA" curato dal Sac. Giovanni D'Onorio De Meo. La nuova edizione che fa seguito a quella di P. Lombardini del 1976 sarà in libreria prima della festa della Madonna della Civita del 21 luglio 2002. Potrà essere prenotata, comunque, presso i Padri Passionisti del Santuario a chi vi si reca in visita sin d'ora.
CALENDARIO MANIFESTAZIONI RELIGIOSE E CIVILI PER IL 225° ANNIVERSARIO della 1^ INCORONAZIONE DELLA MADONNA DELLA CIVITA
13 luglio 2002 - Alle ore 20,30 i titolari della ditta Trani marmi di Fondi, sempre disponibili per le necessità del Santuario, hanno provveduto, sotto il controllo del Rettore Santilli e di P. Cherubino Di Feo, a togliere i sigilli, rimovendo il vetro antiproiettile posto a protezione dell'Immagine della Madonna e togliendo la stessa dalla nicchia posta sull'altare maggiore. Un avvenimento che si ripete ogni 25 anni per trasportare il quadro a Itri. La foto (Studio V. La Rocca) inserita appresso testimonia il momento in cui i due tecnici stanno per consegnare l'Immagine della Civita al Rettore.Pino Pecchia.
Un giorno da tramandare 14 luglio 2002 - E' stata quella di oggi, la prima giornata importante di questo 225° anniversario della 1^Incoronazione della Civita. Una moltitudine di popolo, proveniente dai paesi del sud pontino e del frusinate, ha raggiunto il Santuario della Civita per tributare alla Vergine un commosso arrivederci nel momento in cui, dopo 25 anni, ha lasciato la Sua casa, per scendere nella Sua Itri. Dopo la cerimonia religiosa, officiata dal Provinciale dei Passionisti Padre Stanislao Renzi, nello spiazzale del Santuario, non potendo la chiesa ospitare tutti i presenti, i fedeli in preghiera hanno seguito l'immagine sacra portata a spalla dai collaboratori del santuario ai quali si sono sostituiti a turno, altri fedeli lungo il tracciato di montagna. Il Rettore Padre Renato Santilli, con altri religiosi, apriva il corteo che,con il calar della sera, si è fatto suggestivo appena le fiaccole, portate dai fedeli, costantemente in preghiera, sono state accese. Molte persone si sono fermate lungo i tornanti della provinciale per il Santuario, per vedere la processione che si snodava lungo i fianchi della collina. A tratti si udivano i tradizionali canti di invocazione e di preghiera che si diffondevano per la valle. In località Raino una folla immensa era in attesa dell'arrivo della Sacra immagine. Si è così formato un corteo che ha occupato tutto la distanza che separa Itri da loc. Raino. Una nota di colore era data da abitanti di Itri che per l'occasione, hanno indossato i tradizionali costumi locali e fanciulle vestite da angeli che hanno scortato il quadro della Vergine. La folla era così tanta che l'Immagine è giunta a Itri solo verso le 23,00. Ben due ore per percorrere appena 2 Km. La concelebrazione Eucaristica (prevista per le ore 21,30), è stata officiata solo alle 23,00, da Don Antonio De Meo, Vicario Generale della Diocesi di Gaeta, dal clero di Itri e dal Rettore Santilli. La schola cantorum ha accompagnato con i rituali canti la S. Messa; molta commozione durante l'esecuzione di una dolcissima Ave Maria, cantata dal coro di voci bianche. Al termine tra canti e invocazioni di grazie, l'Immagine della Madonna è stata collocata nella chiesa di S. M. Maggiore sull'apposito piedistallo riccamente addobbato. Pino Pecchia.
Alcune foto del giorno 14 luglio mostrano: la prima, la discesa per il tracciato di montagna; la seconda, la partenza del quadro per Itri; la terza, il quadro mentre esce dal Santuario lungo la scalinata per essere collocato nel piazzale, per la Celebrazione Eucaristica; la quarta, un gruppo di itrani, ragazzi e meno giovani, nel tradizionale costume locale.
21 luglio 2002 - 225 anni, tanti sono quelli trascorsi dalla prima incoronazione della Vergine della Civita. E Itri ha voluto ricordare quel giorno nel migliore dei modi. Sacro e profano, un misto di sentimenti che da sempre fa di questa ricorrenza, un appuntamento per migliaia di persone che giungono a Itri dai paesi limitrofi. E la presenza a Itri del quadro miracoloso muove masse di popolo che prima ancora del ludico, rivolge il pensiero alla Madonna della Civita facendole visita nella Sua casa, in S. Maria Maggiore. A quel doveroso omaggio a cui sottrarsi, nessuno si sognerebbe di questa giornata, fa seguito il partecipare e condividere con parenti e amici i rituali della "Festa". E il rito si è degnamente concluso, oltre la mezzanotte, con uno spettacolo pirotecnico di elevate qualità spettacolari, degno della migliore tradizione. Preceduto da un concerto Lirico sinfonico che mai ad Itri è stato dato assistere. La Grande Orchestra Filarmonica Russa, diretta dal Maestro Massimo Gualtieri, il Coro "della pace" di Terni ed i quattro solisti" Teresa Colucci -soprano, del Teatro S. Carlo di Napoli, Eduard Semenov - tenore, Antonio Sarnelli de Sylva - baritono e del mezzosoprano Oxana Kornievskaia(una splendida Rosina) hanno per circa tre ore riproposto, alle oltre mille persone presenti, celebri arie e sinfonie di Rossini, Puccini, Verdi, Borodin e Bellini, deliziandole. Il contorno non è stato da meno, mostre fotografiche di vario genere, di pittura e di ceramica d'arte, hanno registrato la presenza di molti visitatori. La giornata aperta con riti religiosi e l'esposizione in processione del quadro della Madonna della Civita, di certo, il momento più significativo di questa giornata, sarà ricordata e tramandata come tradizione vuole, dagli itrani ai propri figli. Al Santuario, una concelebrazione Eucaristica presieduta dall'arcivescovo di Gaeta, mons. Pierluigi Mazzoni, il popolo dei fedeli non ha fatto mancare la propria presenza, anzi, pur mancando l'Immagine della Civita, si è registrata un'affluenza maggiore che negli anni passati. E' la tradizione. Mille anni di fede Mariana e devozione verso un Santuario ed un quadro, la cui dolcissima immagine, è impressa nel cuore della gente di Itri.Pino Pecchia
******
Chronicle
of an Event ©by Pino Pecchia
“The
225th
Anniversary of the Crowning of the Madonna of the Civita”
While the sun’s
splendid golden coloured rays were setting amid the sloping hills of the
land of Itri, in the distance echoing through the valley, sounds,
hardly audible but getting closer, of melodious voices belonging to devoted
people uttering their prayers and songs towards the heavens, gloryfying their
Virgin Mary. Sweet songs of ancient memories which narrate of an icon that
came from far away. So it was, thousands of years ago, that those faithful
followers who first saw the Icon, quite different from today’s one,
referred to the Holy Image as the “Brunette” Madonna of the Civita from
Constantinople. It was the 14th
July 2002. The Holy Icon of the Civita descended to Itri carried on careful
shoulders, in turn, along an ancient rocky path way down the hillside which
had been ridden down on
horseback far back in 1849 by
Pio IX. 1902-2002 is not a
centenary. In 1902 the first 25th
anniversary of Our Lady being carried down on shoulder by the people of Itri,
was celebrated; and that of this year is the 225th anniversary
since the first crowning, five are the recurrences on which the Holy Image
has come down from Her throne to meet Her children. One hundred years would
have been too many, but twenty five years were just right to recall that far
back 21st July 1527. To watch the sacred Icon cross every corner
of the town. The population hands down
from generation to generation that when the “tetra maligna caligine”
dissipated, putting an end to the plague that raged Itri,
thanks to Her intercession through Her Divine Son,
came to being the tribute paid to the Virgin Mary dedicating to Her
this day for the miracle received. Her “feast day”
started right there in Her home. The Sanctuary
of the Civita. Place of prayer dedicated to Her, an oasis of peace between
heaven and earth; destination, in past centuries, for saints and for the
blessed, for the powerful and for simple devouts, all kneeling before Her and
imploring celestial grace. It was
just in this same way that this 225th aniversary, as usual,
started. As She appeared at the top of the flight of stairs that lead down to
Piazzale Don Lidio Borgese, a rejoicing population, who had come to take Her and have Her
in Itri for ten days, exploded into a rousing ovation. Followed by hymns to
Her dedicated during the passing
of centuries, and after a brief way She was placed on the right hand side of
the altar which had been prepared outdoors.
The provincial Passionist Superior father P.Stanislao Renzi, along
with the Rector father Renato Santilli and other members of the confraternity
officiated the Eucharistic celebration. Naturally, the Mother of God was the
centre of the homily directed to the over a thousand people who crowded the
large square; the obedience of a humble handmaid, designated by God to redeem
mankind through Her Son Jesus. A blessing to all those children who have come
to take the Mother of all, so called Civita; and with these words ended the
opening ceremony awaited for twenty five years. Indescribable and
not even quantifiable the number of people present at Raino locality to meet
the sacred Image. The programme, planned by the committee and religious
authorities of Itri, was completely upset. The Eucharistic celebration due to
start at nine o’clock p.m. only started at eleven p.m. Two hours to walk
along a little more than a kilometre. Young girls dressed as angels, children
and elderly women wearing ancient Itri costumes, a horseman wearing an epoch
uniform, who led the procession, a multi-coloured and numerous group of
emigrants who came just for the occasion frome the U.S.A., and little
Canadian flags waved happily by the Itri comunity from Toronto, all to escort
the Image which was placed on a flowered throne. The procession was followed
by the Mayor of Itri, Mr.Giovanni Agresti and Mr. Paolo Zannella a
reppresentative of the Campodimele municipality, components from the town
council of Itri, the commanding police officer Mr.Bigliotti and many, many
people. The Rector Santilli,
symbolically, handed over to Itri’s mayor the Image of the Madonna of the
Civita. A gesture not at all without meaning. Relating all these things makes
the mind go back in far away times to a bull issued by the bishop Monsignor Patrizi in 1491, it said “.....Praecipue
ducti precibus universitatis et hominum terrae Itri” meaning that the
bishop of Gaeta recognized Itri and its people to be the “founders and
patrons of the Sanctuary”. That tradition, even in the light of new
normatives, has always been respected. Torches and hymns illuminated that
procession of faith, which started from Raino and led to Piazza
Incoronazione, right there where 225 years ago Our Lady was solemnly crowned. The solemn
Eucharistic celebration of the arrival, was officiated by Don Antonio De Meo,
the General Vicar of the diocese of Gaeta, by the clergymen of Itri and by
the Rector Santilli. The homily was directed to Mother Mary’s figure as the
image of sublime obedience, and to the events concerning the Image of the
Civita which through tradition have been sent down for thousands of years.
The church of S.Maria Maggiore’s schola cantorum
accompanied, with the ritual hymns, the Holy Mass; moments of deep
emotion during the performance of the Ave Maria, sung by the treble voices
choir. At the end of the hymns and invocations for grace, the Holy Icon was
placed on a suitable throne, abundantly adorned, in the church of S.Maria
Maggiore. All this happented on the 14th July. On the following
days, evening encounters were held with mothers, widows and widowers, and
with the elderly and the young. On the 19th July, which
traditionally is the eve of the annual appointment, a day dedicated to the
sick was held, visiting them and giving communion to the invalid. Other two
days were dedicated ,respectively, to the young who had just been confirmed
and to those who had just taken their first Holy Communion. Two meaningful
appointments with the Virgin Mother. On the 20th
July the Image of the Madonna of the Civita started her journey, in
procession, through the streets of “Her” Itri, repeated both on the 21st
and the 22nd , each with different itineraries. These are the holy
aspects, co-ordinated by father Angelo di Battista, which have distinguished
this important appointment of faith for the land of Itri. Thousands of
faithful who came from many
different places. We were stunned by the presence of the many emigrants from
the U.S.A. and in particular from Canada, who came to meet the Mother of God,
truely an act of affection towards the Civita and Her Sanctuary. The entertainment
aspect, which amused the many visitors called to the event, was of high
quality. In fact, a band concert on the 29th June opened the
celebrations of the 225th anniversary of the first crowning. On
the 30th June a convention regarding the Virgin Mary was held. It
was presided by the Cardinal Sebastiani, with the presence of Don L.Ciotti
and the passionist father Giuseppe Comparelli. On this same day the new
painting was exibited in Piazza Incoronazione. There were different
types of musical shows, demonstrations of folkloristic groups from different
nations, photographic exhibitions on Itri and on the Madonna of the Civita
along with an art ceramics exhibit. Sport was by no means left out, with a
tennis and mini-soccer tournament. The well-organized committee, presided by
Mr. Mario Petrillo, also brought two musical shows both for lyric and pop
music fans. The symphonic lyric concert was held by the Grand Philharmonic
Russian Orchestra conducted by the Maestro Massimo Gualtieri, who delighted a
pubblic of grand occasions with remarkable
vocal and instrumental performances. The following day the singer Luca
Barbarossa held a recital with excerpts from his own repertory, which have,
since the beginnig of his career, placed him amongst the best talents of
Italian pop music. There was a high quality demonstration of fireworks for
their colour and intensity, worthy of the Italian tradition for firework
experts. There were a myriad other small, but praiseworthy initiatives within
the sphere of the celebration, impossible to quote for obvious reasons of
space. One could think that,
apart from the Sacred Image in Itri, the Sanctuary functions could pass
second most important, but this was not so. The multitude was so great, as we
have already established, that it exceeded every expectation. On the 21st
July the solemn mass, presided by the Archbishop of Gaeta Monsignor Pierluigi
Mazzoni, saw the presence of hundreds of pilgrims and devoted from nearby
towns. The encounter with the “Civita” was an act of faith for all those
who came, knowing that She was momentarily absent, they were convinced
that the House of God, the “Sanctuary”, is a place of communion
with the supernatural, a meeting of people, and a strengthening of
faith. A never-ending pilgrimage that continued even after the
celebration rituals. Thousands of people,
just as had happened for the descent, accompanied the return of the Holy Icon
from Itri to the Raino locality. An impressive torch procession and firework
display, that could be seen from the Sanctuary, greeted
goodbye the painting to the Madonna of the Civita’s stay in Itri..
It reached the Sanctuary at about eleven o’clock p.m., where hundreds of
devoted people were awaiting in prayer Her arrival. Hundreds of torches
illuminated not only faces but every corner of the Square Beato Don Guanella,
where the Rector Santilli and his Sanctuary collaborators along with the
faithful followers attended, reciting the Holy Rosary, and watched, from far,
the sight of the string of cars that winded up the “Valle del Liri”. The Eucharistic
Celebration, shortly before mid-night, was officiated by the Rector father
Renato Santilli, assisted by the confraternity members of the Sanctuary. The
homily was centred on the Madonna of the Civita’s three different tokens of
devotion, a speech of particular highlight was that of a police officer from
the U.S.A.: a message of hope and an appeal, his own, that the men of this
earth should call upon the Virgin of Nazareth’s protection, the Lord’s
humble handmaid and Mother of the Church. At the end of the
homily, a slight mention, although not explicit however understood, to the
drammatic events that had lately deeply affected this land’s conscience.
Questions that can only find answers in reflecting on the way of life of
today’s youth. A deeply felt appeal to the Virgin, knowing the
interrogatives that rose from that tradgedy, asking Mary to enlighten those
minds, who have the duty to educate and grow the young, in order that they do
their utmost for the good of these. Only a few words, but of profound meaning,
easy for all to understand, but difficult to forget. The young generation,
tomorrow’s future, should not only foster the traditions of Itri’s land,
but they should make their own of the Pope John Paul II’s words, which he
pronounced on the occasion of the 17th World Youth Day held in
Toronto: “To Mary, Mother of the Church, I entrust each one of you, your
vocation and your mission of life”. In a moment of a
well-turned out celebration, deprived of unruliness, full of meaning and
satisfaction, the Rector, the Mayor Mr. Giovanni Agresti, the aldermen Mr.
Vincenzo Ialongo and Mr. Raffaele Mancini along with other authorities like
Mr. Mario Petrillo, presidente of the committee,
appeal to the conscience
of those who represent the Institution, so that youth can find a different
reality to that in which they have plunged, a dull modern life without ideals,
but full of consumerism. At the end of the
Mass, the Holy Icon of the Madonna of the Civita, provided with anti-glare
glass for a better visibility, was placed on Her throne. “Oh, Mary, Mother
of Jesus our Saviour and Mother of
the Church....” was Monsignor Farano’s prayer
lifted high towards the heavens through the Rector Santilli’s words,
along with the faithful in a chorus of prayer. It was the conclusion of an
event we all experienced with great intensity and religious participation,
personally appreciating the
entertainment aspect. At the end of the
Mass, ritual photos of the civil and religious authorities were taken near
the high altar. Felt statements never so convergent as on this occasion were
made. All this leaves one’s hopes in an always more enthusiastic
co-operation on behalf of all, for the good of the faithful and for the
growth of the Sanctuary. When everything seemed to suppose, (since an hour had passed after mid-night) that everyone could go back home, a melodious child’s voice, so small that she could not be seen from behind the altar, started singing “Oh Mary from Constantinople....” and immediately all those present sang along lifting towards the Heavens the most ancient of hymns. In that moment, an ideal baton was being given to the young of this earth, called upon by the adults to hand down in the future, as has happened in the course of these passed thousand years, the reverence towards the Virgin Mary that was once called of the “Civita”. ©Translated by Paola Sepe
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