June Antoniano

From 01 June 2009 to 30 June 2009

Festivals of SantAntonio and Giugno AntonianoThe 13th June sees Padua and the world celebrating the festival of Saint Anthony, the priest originally from Portugal who lived in Padua, bringing to it his humanity and faith at a black period in history. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world gather in the city to experience the great emotion of the special events commemorating the life and message of the saint, involving ceremonies, spiritual walks, masses and historical enactments.

The rich programme of events also features prominently those aimed at the young, for example the night pilgrimage from Camposampiero on 30th May. Also importnat is the series of prayers recited in honour of the saint on thirteen consecutive days in the Santuari Antoniani of Camposampiero (from 31 May to 12 June). The climax of the festivities arrives on the evening of the 12th, during the sacred action inspired by the first biography written of the life of the saint by a person present at his death; and the 13th with the celebrations in the basilica and the solemn procession which arrives after winding its way through the city streets. The festivities continue with Anthonys June, an event organised by the comune of the city and which features guided visits to the basilica and a grand concert in Prato della Valle.