Beautifully Festive Easter Traditions Around The World - Part 7. Italy

Italy

Over 90% residents of Italy are Catholic. So Easter there is a pretty big deal. Some other interesting facts you may or may not know about Italy are; Of all the world, Italy is the largest producer of wine. There is also a bronze statue of Jesus Christ submerged below the water that stands over 2.5 meters tall. And did you know that in Venice Italy, all gondolas are by law required to be painted black. 51% of it's residents can't afford to go on vacation. I say why would you even want to when Italy is so beautiful!

Chocolate Eggs

While you may not find Easter Baskets and the Easter Bunny, you will find a lot of beautifully decorated chocolate Easter Eggs.

Saint Peter's Basilica

Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, is when Easter begins in Italy. The pope is greeted by many with gifts that symbol peace such as an olive branch or palm leaves as he leads a procession and he blesses them as he goes along.

Oh Holy Thursday and Good Friday there is a Papal Mass held at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. In the evening as per tradition, they hole the ritual of Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross).

On Easter Sunday, the Easter Vigil also takes place here.

Roman Coliseum

Dating back to the 18th century under Pope Benedict XIV, there was a tradition that would take place at the Coliseum on Good Friday. The Stations of the Cross were placed there by the Pope and In the year 2000 they erected a huger bronze cross. A huge cross with burning torches light up the sky as the stations of the cross are described in several languages. When Mass is over the Pope gives a blessing. Tens of thousands of people from all over the world go to see this each year. Thankfully for those of us not as fortunate to be able to go there, it has become a world wide televised event since Pope John Paul II.

La Madonna che Scappa (Our Lady running in the Square)

Reenactments of the moment when Mary sees her resurrected son Jesus for the first time, leading up to this event, on Good Friday, The Passion of our Lord is celebrated in the city of Sulmona. It is at this time that the crucifix is brought down and kissed by all those in attendance. After the Mass a there is a procession carrying a statue of Christ on top of a casket that is covered in white. Following behind is a statue of Mary dressed in black with a white handkerchief in her hand. On Holy Saturday the statue of the Madonna is taken from the Santa Maria della Tomba church to the Church of San Filippo Neri where the statue will remain overnight. A bonfire is lit in the center of the square and the fire is used to light the Pascal Candle which is placed on the altar. At midnight the bells are rung signifying the resurrection of our Lord. A procession takes place on Easter Sunday and the statue of the risen Christ is placed under one of the arches in Garibaldi Square on the opposite side from San Filippo Neri church. Then the statues of St. Peter and St. John are taken to San Filippo Neri church so they can tell Mary the good news. The rest of the story goes; They knock on the door of the church and tell Mary that Jesus has risen, but she does not believe them and refuses to come out. St. John knocks again and tells her that Jesus is waiting at the opposite side of the square. Mary finally believes St. John and the doors open and the statue is carried out of the church and slowly makes its way across the square. Once it reaches the fountain in the middle Mary sees Jesus and starts to run to him. The black dress a symbol of sorrow falls off and Mary is wearing a green dress which symbolizes life and good omen. The white handkerchief is gone and a red rose a symbol of love is in her hand and 12 doves are released and fly in the sky representing the 12 apostles. Those selected to carry the statue of Mary start to run until they get to the arch where Jesus is. It is about a 1 - 2 minute run. It is a high honor to those chosen to be in charge of the Running of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Pope Francis

Crowds of over 100,000 people over flow the Vatican cobble stone square as they anticipate the Popes Easter Mass. People stand for hours just to witness a Mass by the Pope. This event is free but you still must produce a ticket in order to be able to attend.

Cross made of Palm Leaves