Procession of Saint Francis of Paola

RAI00161

Note

Procession of Saint Francis of Paola

Collection title

Lineablu

RAI00161

Source

RAI (IT)

First broadcast date

06/28/2008

Production year

2008

Abstract

In the company of the journalist Fabrizio Gatta, we discover the sanctuary of St. Francis of Paola and the Calabrians' devotion to St. Francis. We follow the carrying out of the procession on board the boats between Cetraro and Paola with the transposed of the relic of the mantle of St. Francis of Paola. Marinelli is interviewed and remembers the history of St. Francis of Paola. A member of the folk musical group of Cetraro speaks of the "crespelle of St. Francis". Two ladies explain the preparation of the recipe of the "crespelle of St. Francis”.

Type

video

Production companies

RAI - Own production

Broadcaster

RAI - RAI Uno

Audiovisual form

Documentary

Personalities

Marinelli Francesco

Primary theme

Festivals and traditions

Secondary themes

Society and way of life / Cooking / Cooking traditions

Credits / Cast

Gatta Fabrizio - Speaker

Period of events

2008

Map locations

Italy - South Italy - Calabria

Original language

Italian

Media running time

4m33

Context

Procession of Saint Francis of Paola

Nora Demarchi

Every April 2^nd a boat sets off from the village of Cetraro and arrives on the beach at Paola, a small corner of Calabria. It is the passenger of the short trip, though, who is unusual: the little Coast Guard boat is carrying, with great solemnity, the cloak which once belonged to St. Francis of Paola.

St. Francis was born on March 27^th 1416 in Paola. He is one of the best known Christian saints, and is the patron saint both of Calabria and sailors. One of his most famous miracles, mentioned in this film and which explains the popular veneration of his coat, was crossing the Strait of Messina. One day St. Francis asked the fishermen at Reggio Calabria, who had just returned from their day's work, if they would kindly take him over to Messina. The fishermen looked at the large clouds filling the sky and said: “Sorry, my brother, in a moment the sea will be like hell!” The monk, not at all frightened by these pessimistic forebodings, spread his cloak on water, clambered on to it and on this strange ship made the crossing to Messina. But that is only the best known of the many miracles the saint performed. Fame of his supernatural powers reached France, where St. Francis went to treat the king, Louis XI. From that time on his notoriety spread throughout Europe and the order he founded, the “minimal”, became international. His protection extended over many kingdoms, churches dedicated to him multiplied. The emigration of people from southern Italy and the territorial conquests of the Spanish crown helped spread worship of him and acts of devotion dedicated to him.

In southern Italy many devotional practices contain a strong element of sensationalism. The procession of Saint Francis of Paola is no exception. The men of the Coast Guard solemnly taking the saint's relic, the fireworks, the sheer number of people following the route, the food, music, these are all elements which emphasize the importance of this event for those taking part. For returning emigrants it is a sign of belonging to the region, following the procession is a chance to re-unite with former compatriots, an opportunity to strengthen friendships and to transmit religious feeling to new generations.

Bibliography: brief and to the point

Larrarin, P. 1987 : Il libro dei santi, Padova, Edizioni Messaggero.

Leonardi, C., Riccardi, A. e Zarri, G. 1998 : Il grande libro dei santi, Milano, Edizioni San Paolo.

Barbagkellini, P. 1978 : I Santi del Giorno, Bologna, Vallecchi.

www.santuariopaola.it

Transcript

- silence

- May be one of the most famous miracles of Saint Francis in Paola is that of the jacket.

- Saint Francis had a familiar tie with the sea, he crossed the Strait of Messina to go to Venanzo.

- Thank you Father Marinelli. So we follow the jacket and we go to Cetraro, where we'll go on board.

- silence

- We arrived in the jetty of Cetraro and that is precisely from here that in a moment Saint Francis’ jacket will get on board.

- As you will follow the procession on the sea with your music, we will also get on board.

- But before that, I will let you try a typical product of Saint Francis: Saint Francis’ crespelle.

- silence

- The fragrance of the crespelle takes us here on this spur that has a view on Cetraro harbor.

- That’s the sound of tambourines, organs, children. Look, what a beautiful child. What’s your name?

- Guido

- Are you playing for the Saint or for the crespelle?

- For both.

- silence

- Here is Maria and Anna. How are you doing?

- Fine

- Are you cooking?

- Yes, crespelle.

- Do you cook them with flour?

- Flour, potatoes, anchovies.

- silence

- Saint Francis’ jacket in Paola left from Cetraro’s harbor on board of the Charlie Papa 265, the unit of the coast guard.

- We got in Guardia Piemontese, here the Saint is welcome with fireworks. You can see that along the bank people wave.

- That gives you the measure of the great devotion there is for the Patron Saint of Calabria.

- silence

- My friends, we arrived in Paola, look at the people waiting on the beach, waiting for the Saint’s jacket to arrive.

- silence

- This is the small boat full of garlands, where the rowers will take care of the object the most venerated by all: Saint Francis’ jacket.

- What is the reason for the carriers of the Saint’s great pride?

- ... We do it for 20 years.

- silence

- Is the first time you come?

- No, almost every year.

- Are you from here?

- I come from Rome, I came here 3 times already.

- silence

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Procession of Saint Francis of Paola

Procession of Saint Francis of Paola

- silence

- May be one of the most famous miracles of Saint Francis in Paola is that of the jacket.

- Saint Francis had a familiar tie with the sea, he crossed the Strait of Messina to go to Venanzo.

- Thank you Father Marinelli. So we follow the jacket and we go to Cetraro, where we'll go on board.

- silence

- We arrived in the jetty of Cetraro and that is precisely from here that in a moment Saint Francis’ jacket will get on board.

- As you will follow the procession on the sea with your music, we will also get on board.

- But before that, I will let you try a typical product of Saint Francis: Saint Francis’ crespelle.

- silence

- The fragrance of the crespelle takes us here on this spur that has a view on Cetraro harbor.

- That’s the sound of tambourines, organs, children. Look, what a beautiful child. What’s your name?

- Guido

- Are you playing for the Saint or for the crespelle?

- For both.

- silence

- Here is Maria and Anna. How are you doing?

- Fine

- Are you cooking?

- Yes, crespelle.

- Do you cook them with flour?

- Flour, potatoes, anchovies.

- silence

- Saint Francis’ jacket in Paola left from Cetraro’s harbor on board of the Charlie Papa 265, the unit of the coast guard.

- We got in Guardia Piemontese, here the Saint is welcome with fireworks. You can see that along the bank people wave.

- That gives you the measure of the great devotion there is for the Patron Saint of Calabria.

- silence

- My friends, we arrived in Paola, look at the people waiting on the beach, waiting for the Saint’s jacket to arrive.

- silence

- This is the small boat full of garlands, where the rowers will take care of the object the most venerated by all: Saint Francis’ jacket.

- What is the reason for the carriers of the Saint’s great pride?

- ... We do it for 20 years.

- silence

- Is the first time you come?

- No, almost every year.

- Are you from here?

- I come from Rome, I came here 3 times already.

- silence

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