The homage of the people of Messina to the Madonna of Dinnammare was renewed this morning at dawn. From Larderia Superiore to Dinnammare, in the middle of the night, hundreds of people took part in the traditional pilgrimage carrying the miraculous painting of the Virgin by the artist Michele Panebianco.
Families with elderly children flocked, but also many young people, deeply fascinated by the Peloritani mountains, a treasure trove of beauty where their roots are kept. Father presided over the first mass in the morning Nino Basile, director of the diocesan Caritas; with him among others the rector of the sanctuary of Dinnammare mgr. Nino Caminiti and don Giovanni Lombardoarrived at the end of the nocturnal journey with a group of pilgrims from Cumia and Bordonaro.
Inevitable thoughts and prayers to the villages affected by the fires of recent days, a gash in the heart of the whole community of the Strait, a strong appeal to those who, regardless of the inestimable value of those places, continue to rape the environment. Hence the appeal for the protection and enhancement of landscape assets to be carried out also through worship and devotion, a right and duty of the whole community.
Masses at the sanctuary continue throughout the day until 11pm. The director of the departmental Inspectorate of the Messina Forests was present at the celebration John Cavallaro of theVincenzo Cavallaro forest company with some collaborators and a representation of the Navy.
Tomorrow, after the 6 o’clock Mass presided over by Msgr. Nino Caminiti rector of the sanctuary of Dinnammare and parish priest of Larderia, the picture will return to the village, in the church of San Biagio, accompanied in procession by pilgrims.
The celebration of masses is planned in the church of San Giovanni (8 and 11.30, the latter presided over by the bishop of Messina Saint Rocco Gangemi apostolic nuncio to Serbia), St Blaise (10 am presided over by Father Andrea Cardile, pastor of Scala Retreat).
In the afternoon at 18, after the blessing of the bearers, the solemn procession of the simulacrum of the Madonna of Dinnammare will cross the streets of Larderia, accompanied by the town band; at 11.45 pm immediately after the return, there will be a fireworks display.