The red alert also stopped the traditional homage to St. Eustochia Calafato on the day of the 541st Dies natalis, the anniversary of her death, but not the prayer of the Poor Clares who are experiencing the citizens’ discomfort with apprehension. “I thought it appropriate, after having discussed with the archbishop and the mayor, to postpone the rite of offering the oil with the lighting of the lamp to the next few days when the weather conditions will be favourable”, said the abbess Maria Agnese Pavone, who recalls from memory that it had never happened before, at least not in recent times; probably, says historian Giacomo Sorrenti, it happened after the 1908 earthquake.
“Even during the pandemic, in compliance with the restrictions, there was no lack of homage to the standing Saint to whom the people of Messina are strongly linked,” he explained. In the church of the Montevergine monastery yesterday the faithful gathered in prayer throughout the day and in the afternoon, precisely at the time when the solemn mass should have been held in the presence of the authorities, the nuns together with the chaplain Msgr. Pietro Aliquò and the group “Women, brides and mothers with St. Eustochia” prayed, entrusting to the intercession of the Saint “the anguish of those who – in the villages of the southern area in particular and on the entire Ionian side – are isolated due to bad weather or have suffered damage to their homes, means of transport or businesses”.
“We pray above all for those who, due to undeferrable work commitments, are risking their lives, for those among institutional representatives, law enforcement workers, civil protection volunteers, who are working for the needs of citizens. Saint Eustochia does not fail to be close and intercedes with Christ Crucified so that everything can be resolved without further damage to people or things”, said Mother Agnese. In these days the Poor Clares will communicate, in agreement with Msgr. Giovanni Accolla, the new date for the celebration of Dies natalis, during which the parish community of S. Maria Incoronata of Camaro Superiore will offer the oil that fuels the votive lamp created by the master goldsmith Francesco Cosio and donated by the Bonino Pulejo Foundation.