Animal lovers have peculiar behaviors sometimes. Like, for example, eating 24000 sausages in one day.
On the third week-end of January the village of Santa Maria degli Angeli near Assisi celebrates the feast of Saint Anthony Abbot . The Egyptian hermit is the patron of domestic animals, especially pigs, as well as of butchers. He has been invoked by farmers against a number of diseases including pestilence, herpes and , of course, various skin rashes.
Our local celebration originates from somewhere in the XIX century when the end of a pestilence decimating the village’s horses was attributed to a miracle of the Saint. From that time on, the people of Santa Maria degli Angeli commemorates the miracle with a procession, the distribution of the Piatto di Sant’Antonio (see below) and the blessing of domestic animals.

People comes to watch the procession and to bring their pets for the blessing. Pets are clad in red to honor the Saint.

Animal lovers find all sorts of implements to carry their pet s.

Some are impeccably dressed.

The celebration is organized by a group of local men, the Priors, who carry the Statue of Saint Anthony during the procession.
The Procession of Saint Anthony, his statue is carried by the Priors In addition, the Priors collect funds so that virtually everybody in the village can afford to go out and eat the “Piatto di Sant’ Antonio” a plate with pasta, meat and fruits that was originally distributed to the poor. The plate is a carnivore feast including by regulation 4 pork sausages , two slices of roast and 2 meatballs.
So, with approx. 6000 participants, the local butchers have had enough work. The pets have been dressed up and blessed. As in the best Italian tradition, everybody went home well fed and happy. Well, may be not the pigs, but at least thay have been put out of their misery.
What a great post, Letizia! The irony, of animal lovers dressed in furs and eating legislated meat plates, is fascinating.
I love your photos, the little bunny carriers are very cute.
One of my favourite frescoes, in Assisi, is in the Oratorio dei Pellegrini and depicts those beautiful little camels carrying provisions and being received by St. Anthony Abbot.
LikeLike
Letizia, some chose to wear their animals rather than actually carry then for the blessing. )
I can’t help but marvel at a celebration marking both household pets and slaughter animals at which plates of meat are served. In America, this would result in some sort of Act of Congress, with 15 different special interest groups hurling pig blood and dog treats at each other respectively. In Italy, this type of juxtaposition is not even considered a juxtaposition. I love this country. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Diana and Sandra, yes, fascinating isn’t it? It’s like time has not moved…… forward.
LikeLike