On Monday 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 founded in Lovere following the meeting of the two saints, who, under the wise and far-sighted guidance of the priest Angelo Bosio, on November 21, 1832, left their homes and withdrew to a humble dwelling (which people immediately called the “conventino”) near the hospital in Lovere, dedicating themselves to caring for the sick and educating young girls.

Charity has always guided the spirit of these Sisters, who even today continue the mission begun by the two Saints through the practice of works of mercy, particularly the education of youth and assistance in hospitals around the world.

To celebrate the Saints of Lovere, numerous events are scheduled from Sunday 3 May through Monday 18 May, organized by the Patron Saint Festival Committee and the Parish of Lovere in collaboration with the municipal administration:

Sunday 3 May
– 12:30 p.m. | Oratory: “Spiedo di Carità”. Reservations: Verena 0039 339 193 5046;

Thursday 7 May
– 8:30 p.m. | Church of St. George: Adoration at the Altar of the Holy Women;

Friday 8 May
– 8:30 PM | Shrine of the Holy Sisters: “Dear Charity” – meeting with Bishop Giacomo Canobbio with musical interludes by Viliana Ivanova – harp;

Sunday 10 May 
– 8:45 PM | Shrine of the Holy Sisters: “Like Circles of Water” with the “Mi Bemolle” Choir of Lovere;

Wednesday 13 May 
– 3:00 PM | Sanctuary of the Saints: Holy Mass for the elderly and nursing home residents;

Thursday 14 May 
– 8:30 PM | Sanctuary of the Saints: “The Columns Tell Their Story: The Marbles of the Sanctuary of Lovere Between Art and Geology” – lecture with Gabriele Vola, director of the Cimprogetti technology laboratory in Dalmine;

Friday 15 May 
– 8:30 PM | From the Basilica of Santa Maria in Valvendra to the Sanctuary of the Saints: solemn procession with the relics of the Saints; musical accompaniment by the Lovere Band. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside the Basilica of Santa Maria;

Saturday 16 May 
– 9:30 AM / 7:30 PM | Piazza Tredici Martiri: Festival Markets;
– 4:00 PM | Piazza Vittorio Emanuele: “Danze in piazza” – final performance by the Folk Dance Workshop with students from the “S. B. Capitanio” School;
– 8:45 PM | Crystal Theater: “La Trisia del Guerriero” – a theatrical performance presented by “La Cumpagnia di Dù Canù”;

Sunday 17 May
– 9:30 AM / 7:30 PM | Piazza Tredici Martiri: Festival Markets;
– 10:00 AM / 12:00 PM | Galleria dell’Accademia Tadini: free admission for residents of Lovere;
– 10:00 AM / 12:00 PM | Lakefront, in front of the Accademia Tadini: guided tours of the motorboat “La Capitanio 1926”;
– 3:00 PM / 7:00 PM | Accademia Tadini Gallery: free admission for residents of Lovere;
– 4:00 PM / 7:00 PM | Lakefront, in front of the Accademia Tadini: guided tours of the motorboat “La Capitanio 1926”;
– 8:45 PM | Santuario delle Sante: Grand Concert – A. Vivaldi Orchestra of Valle Camonica;

Monday 18 May 
– 8:30 AM | Santuario delle Sante: Holy Mass with the In…Canto Choir of Lavis (TN);
– 10:30 AM | Santuario delle Sante: Holy Mass with the San Giorgio Choir of Lovere;
– 5:00 PM | Basilica of Santa Maria in Valvendra: Solemn Pontifical Mass

Any proceeds in excess of organizational costs will be donated to the Meulì Foundation’s “La scuola nel compound” project in Lusaka, Zambia.