Messina is approaching the day of the Vara and the atmosphere of the celebration begins to become more and more intense. A few days from August 15th, the city renews its most ancient rites and prepares to experience the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary through a tradition that continues to involve thousands of people. The blessing of the shooters and the bearers of the votive candles took place in the Cathedral.
A representation of the over one thousand devotees who will take part in the procession by moving the devotional float participated in the celebration presided over by the chaplain Father Antonello Angemi; with them the councilor for culture Enzo Caruso. “Getting back up, rebuilding yourself from the rubble, this is the meaning we want to give to the solemnity of the Assumption”: this is the message that the priest wanted to deliver for the Launch of the Rebirth, remembering “that Mary has always supported Messina every time she has experienced painful trials from which she has always resolved”https://messina.gazzettadelsud.it/articoli/cultura/2026/08/11/messina-si-avvicina-al-giorno-della-vara- the-blessing-of-the-shooters-and-of-the-bearers-of-the-votive-candles-took place-87b878c4-8230-4356-83eb-b03db97d2005/.”Vince life if we understand that pain can be transformed into good, wounds into opportunities for change. This is the meaning of the Viva Maria shouted out loud”, said Don Angemi remembering the victims of the Pistunina tragedy and those of recent months.
A moment of contemplation that marks one of the most significant steps towards the great day of August 15th. Shortly before, the votive candles were transferred from the Nuovo Oratorio della Pace church in via 24 Maggio to the Cathedral where they will remain until the 14th; they were created by the artist Franco Forami, president of the Ceri Messinesi cultural association. The tradition will further come alive on August 14th. In the afternoon at 6pm the candles will be carried in procession to Piazza Castronovo, where the Christmas Eve mass will be celebrated under the Cippo. But the meaning of the festival goes beyond the procession and also reaches those who cannot be on the streets of the city.
This is the case of the sick hospitalized at the Papardo hospital, to whom a gesture of particular closeness was addressed. Benny Guarnera, a young shooter linked to Vara since he was a child, has in fact created 270 cords, blessed by Father Angemi, which will be delivered directly to patients in hospital. A way to bring devotion to the Madonna Assunta also to the hospital wards and allow those who cannot physically participate in the celebration to still feel part of the community that will meet again on August 15th shouting “Viva Maria”. Meanwhile, tomorrow 12 August, the church of Montevergine will host the Sleeping Madonna for the whole day, kept during the year in the monastery, which on the evening of the 14th is placed at the foot of the Vara.