Preparations are in full swing in Venice for one of the most cherished events in its history: the Feast of the Madonna della Salute. A celebration that weaves together religious devotion, collective memory and folk traditions, transforming the city into a place of pilgrimage and communal celebration. Its origins date back to 1630, when Venice was struck by a terrible plague epidemic that claimed tens of thousands of lives. Faced with the gravity of the situation, the Doge Nicolò Contarini and Patriarch Giovanni Tiepolo invoked the Virgin’s help, organising a prayer procession and making a solemn vow: if the city were spared the plague, a church would be built in her honour. When the epidemic came to an end, the promise was kept. Thus was born the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, designed by the architect Baldassarre Longhena and completed in 1687. Ever since then, every 21 November, thousands of Venetians and visitors make their way to the Salute to pay homage to the Virgin Mary. For the occasion, the traditional votive bridge is erected – a temporary structure spanning the Grand Canal and connecting the area of Santa Maria del Giglio to the basilica. It is a symbolic and evocative crossing, traversed by the faithful carrying a candle to be lit in the church as a sign of thanksgiving, prayer and a plea for protection for themselves and their loved ones. Throughout the day, numerous Masses are celebrated and the basilica remains the spiritual heart of the festival. Outside, however, the atmosphere becomes more lively and festive, with stalls selling sweets and balloons for the little ones. The culinary tradition is also well represented: Venetian tables are graced with castradina, a soup made with smoked and salted mutton, savoy cabbage and vegetables, linked to the memory of the ancient supplies that came from Dalmatia during the plague. The Feast of the Salute is therefore much more than a religious celebration: it is the story of a city which, for almost four centuries, has been renewing a promise and preserving its identity.
This year’s theme is evangelisation. Like St Mark, the Diocese of Venice also wishes to reflect once more on the urgency of bearing witness to the Gospel. Once again this year, on Saturday 21 November, and in the days leading up to and following the solemnity, thousands of pilgrims from Venice and the rest of the region are expected. Last year, a total of 150,000 people took part. The first celebrations will begin on Saturday 14 November with the pilgrimage of men and women religious, at 3.30 pm, featuring the recitation of the Rosary and Holy Mass. This will be followed at 6.30 pm by Vespers and Eucharistic Adoration with the community of the Patriarchal Seminary. On Sunday 15 November, Holy Masses will be celebrated at 9.30 am and 11.00 am; the second Mass will also mark the World Day of the Poor. Vespers and Eucharistic Adoration are scheduled for 6.30 pm. On Monday 16th, the Eucharistic celebration will take place at 4.00 pm. From Tuesday 17th, the triduum in preparation for the solemnity (consisting of the recitation of the Rosary and the singing of the litanies) will begin at 4.45 pm. The day will also be dedicated to the Sixth Day of Prayer for the victims and survivors of abuse. In the evening, there will be a pilgrimage by university students. On Wednesday 18 November, the second day of the triduum, Holy Masses will be celebrated at 11.00 and 16.00. At 4.45 pm, the triduum will continue with the Rosary and the singing of the litanies. On Thursday 19th, the third day of the triduum, Holy Masses will be at 10 am, 11 am and 4 pm. At 3.00 pm, the blessing and opening of the Votive Bridge are scheduled; this will connect the banks of the Grand Canal, enabling pilgrims to reach the Basilica more easily. At 4.45 pm, the final event of the triduum will take place, featuring the Rosary and the singing of the litanies. In the evening, there will be a pilgrimage for adults organised by lay associations and movements, in particular Catholic Action.
On Friday 20th, the Basilica della Salute will be open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. Holy Masses will be celebrated at 9.00 am, 10.00 am and 11.00 am. In the afternoon, at 2.30 pm, the solemn opening of the city pilgrimage will take place. This will be followed by Masses at 3.00 pm, 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm. The highlight of the celebrations will be on Saturday 21 November, the Solemnity of Our Lady of Health. The Basilica will be open to the faithful from 5.40 am to 10.20 pm, to allow everyone to take part in the traditional pilgrimage and pause in prayer before the image of the Virgin. Holy Masses will be celebrated at 6.00 am, 7.00 am, 8.00 am and 10.00 am, and at 1.00 pm, 2.00 pm, 3.00 pm, 4.00 pm, 5.00 pm, 6.00 pm, 7.00 pm and 8.00 pm throughout the day. At 10.00 am, a Solemn Mass will be presided over by the Patriarch of Venice, Monsignor Francesco Moraglia, in the presence of civil and military authorities, the Chapter of St Mark’s Cathedral, the Congregations of the Venetian Clergy, members of religious orders and representatives of the Scuole Grandi and the Chivalric Orders. The celebration will be broadcast live on Antenna 3 and on the Gente Veneta Facebook page. At 4.30 pm, the Holy Rosary will be recited, whilst at 10 pm the day will conclude with Compline, led by the Seminary. On Sunday 22 November, the Basilica della Salute will also welcome the faithful for the continuation of the celebrations. Holy Masses will be celebrated at 10.00, 11.00 and 12.00 in the morning, and at 16.00 and 17.30 in the afternoon. At 3.00 pm, the Rosary will be recited, accompanied by the singing of the litanies. At 6.00 pm, the youth pilgrimage, led by Patriarch Francesco Moraglia, will set off from Campo San Maurizio. This is a significant event for Venetian children and young people, who are called to come together for a time of prayer, reflection and witness. Nicola Camporiondo, a young influencer and digital missionary, will be present as a guest and special witness: born in 2005 and originally from Vicenza, he rediscovered the beauty of the Christian faith during the pandemic, beginning to actively attend his parish and serving the community in various ways. He is currently studying at the Triveneto Faculty of Theology in Padua, and his first book, *Ti chiamo amico* (Bur Rizzoli), was published in May. On Monday 23rd, the final day of the programme, Holy Masses will be celebrated at 11.00 and 16.00. The full programme of celebrations is available on the Basilica’s official website: www.basilicasalutevenezia.it.
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