Venice renews the traditional Festa della Salute, an event eagerly awaited and loved by the residents: like that of the Redeemer, this festivity also recalls another terrible plague, that of the two-year period 1630-31, and the consequent vow made by the Doge to obtain intercession of the Virgin. To this day, thousands of citizens parade on 21 November in front of the main altar of the imposing Chiesa della Salute to perpetuate the centuries-old bond of gratitude that binds the city to the Virgin Mary.
As every year, a temporary bridge on boats will be built which crosses the Grand Canal and connects the area of San Moisè and Santa Maria del Giglio (San Marco district) with the Basilica della Salute, in Dorsoduro, to allow the passage of the procession. The traditional market is also eagerly awaited with about 30 stalls offering candles and various items (pancakes, candied fruit, sweets, roasted chestnuts, balloons, games and more): this year they will be set up from Saturday 19th to Monday 21st.
The schedule of main events is as follows:
- Friday 18 November: 12.00, blessing and opening of the votive bridge, in the presence of the patriarch Francesco Moraglia and other civil and military authorities.
- Sunday 20 November: 7.00 pm, pilgrimage of young people from Campo San Maurizio: a pilgrim rosary, which will cross the votive bridge, and will end with an act of entrustment to Mary once they reach the Salute. As every year it will be led by the patriarch Francesco Moraglia.
- Monday 21 November: the Basilica della Salute will be open from 6 to 22.30
Widespread celebrations, even remotely
To avoid an excessive concentration of attendance, the patriarchate has taken steps to expand the methods of access to the Basilica in the days preceding the feast, also scheduling evening openings (8.45 pm) from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 November. In general, access will be free, but coordinated (and possibly limited) by a special order service.
The opening of the votive bridge, with the blessing of the patriarch, is on Friday 18 November at 12. Sunday 20 November the Holy Masses will be officiated at the following times: 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17.30. At 2.30 pm there will be the solemn opening of the city pilgrimage, while in the evening the young people of the Diocese will participate, as per tradition, in the Marian pilgrimage: the procession starts from Campo San Maurizio at 6.30 pm, arriving half an hour later at the Basilica.
On the day of the actual feast, Monday 21 November, the Basilica will be open from 5.45 to 22.30. The Masses of the 21st will observe this schedule: 6, 7, 8, 10 (Patriarch), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 pm. The appointment for the Mass presided over by the Patriarch, at 10, is from always eagerly awaited by pilgrims and will be organized with particular attention to public order: the faithful will be able to access within the limits permitted by security requirements, but it will be possible to follow the celebrations even remotely thanks to live coverage on Antenna 3 and on the Gente Veneta Facebook page .
For the occasion, the large advertising banner that covers the facade restoration scaffolding will be removed and replaced with a reproduction of the icon of the Virgin of Health.
Municipal ordinance
During the celebrations, a municipal ordinance will be in force which regulates pedestrian traffic: from 12 noon on Friday 18 and until 6 on Tuesday 22 November, in the event of a significant influx of people “such as to compromise the safety and fluidity of traffic », the local police have the power to divert pedestrian traffic by setting up one-way streets, as well as to block access to the most critical areas for public safety. The agents will also be able to order the suspension of the occupations of public land or the temporary relocation of the same.
