On Sunday 18 May Lovere celebrates its Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa, founders of the congregation of the Sisters of Maria Bambina. This order of nuns was born in Lovere from the meeting between the two Saints who, under the wise and far-sighted direction of the priest Angelo Bosio, left their homes on 21 November 1832 and retired to a humble dwelling (which people immediately called the “conventino”) near the hospital of Lovere, dedicating themselves to caring for the sick and educating girls.

Charity has always guided the spirit of these Sisters who still today continue the mission begun by the two Saints with the exercise of works of mercy, in particular the education of youth and assistance in hospitals throughout the world.

To celebrate the Saints of Lovere, there are numerous initiatives scheduled from Friday 2nd to Sunday 25th May, promoted by the Patronal Festivals Committee and the Parish of Lovere in collaboration with the Municipal Administration:

Friday 2nd May
– 21:00 | Piazza Tredici Martiri: lighting of light show for the Saints;

Saturday 3rd May
– 20:45 | Crystal Theatre: “Poco meno degli angeli”: musical Suore Operaie – S. Casa di Nazareth;

Friday 9th May
– 20:30 | Sanctuary of the Saints: adoration “Waiting for the Spirit”;

Wednesday 14th May
– 15:00 | Sanctuary of the Saints: Holy Mass for the elderly and RSA guests;

Friday 16th May
– 20:30 | from the Basilica of Santa Maria in Valvendra to the Sanctuary: solemn pilgrimage with reading of texts by Pope Francis; musical accompaniment by the Lovere Band. In case of bad weather, the reading will be held inside the Basilica of S. Maria;

Saturday 17 May
– 10:00 / 12:00 | Lungolago area imbarcadero: guided tours of the motor vessel “La Capitanio”;
– 15:00 / 19:00 | Lungolago area imbarcadero: guided tours of the motor vessel “La Capitanio”;
– 16:00 | Piazza Vittorio Emanuele: “From Lovere to the world on dance steps”: final performance of the Popular Dance Laboratory with the students of the Scuola Capitanio (in case of rain it will be held inside the Palestra in Valvendra);
– 18:00 | Santuario delle Sante: Holy Mass with musical accompaniment by the Coretto di S. Giorgio;
– 20:45 | Teatro Crystal: “Grand Hotel mille lumi” – theatrical show presented by “La cumpagnia di Dù Cantù”;
– 21:00 / 23:00 | lakeside landing stage area: guided tours of the motor vessel “La Capitanio”;

Sunday 18 May
– 08:30 | Santuario delle Sante: Holy Mass with musical accompaniment by the Coro Canta lo Spirito di Castro;
– 10:30 | Santuario delle Sante: Holy Mass with musical accompaniment by the Schola cantorum – don Tommaso Bellini di Castro;
– 10:00 / 12:00 | Galleria dell’Accademia Tadini: free admission for citizens residing in Lovere;
– 10:00 / 12:00 | lakeside landing stage area: guided tours of the motor vessel “La Capitanio”;
– 15:00 / 19:00 | Galleria dell’Accademia Tadini: free admission for citizens residing in Lovere;
– 17:00 | Basilica of S. Maria in Valvendra: solemn pontifical presided over by His Eminence Card. Giambattista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, with musical accompaniment by the Gussago Choir;

Sunday 25 May
– 20:45 pm | Santuario delle Sante: stories about the Loverese Saints through music E Flat Choir of Lovere.

Offerings exceeding organizational costs will be donated to the Missions present in Myanmar of the Sisters of Charity of Maria Bambina.