San Matteo, the Bishop presents the patronal feast

It was held today at the Hall of Coats of Arms of the Archbishop’s Palace of Salernothe presentation of the solemn celebrations in honor of Saint Matthew. To illustrate the calendar of events, theArchbishop of Salerno-Campagna-AcernoMonsignor Andrea Bellandi with the Parish Priest of the Cathedral, Don Felice Moliterno.

“The celebrations for our Patron Saint are a precious opportunity, this year, to draw reasons for renewed hope, in a time so full of shadows and anxieties for the future, caused first of all by the dramatic conflicts that occur particularly in Holy Land ed Ukraine. – observed the Archbishop of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, HE Monsignor Andrea Bellandi – May the devotion to Saint Matthew, so strong in our people, instill in all of us the certainty of a gaze of love – the same that Jesus directed to our Patron, calling him to be his apostle – that never disappoints and never abandons us, thus giving us the strength and enthusiasm to be artisans of peace.and”, added HE Monsignor Bellandi.

The Archbishop himself dwelt on the chronology linked to our Patron Saint: “It dates back to 954 AD, the date that attests the arrival of the relics of San Matteo in Salerno. So this year – 2024 – our city has been guarding the remains of the Saint for 1070 years, even though they were only officially found around 1080 after a long period of hiding and were then placed in the place where they are still located, to honor which the current Cathedral was then built, consecrated in 1084 by Gregory VII, or 940 years ago. Also in a year that ends with the number 4, or June 27, 1544 (480 years ago), the attempt to attack and sack the city of Salerno on the part of the Saracensled by the Turkish pirate Khair-ed-Dinsaid Barbarossa. The assault failed due to the outbreak of a storm attributed, according to tradition, to the intercession of our Patron Saint, invoked by the people of Salerno who took refuge in the Cathedral imploring his miraculous intervention. As a sign of gratitude, the coat of arms of the city was embellished with the figure of Saint Matthew who with his left hand holds the Gospel and with his right hand he blesses. From then on, the people of Salerno committed themselves to carrying the statue of the Patron Saint in procession every year, on September 21st, with great solemnity. It is therefore a long history that underpins the devotion of the people of Salerno to theApostle and Evangelist San Matteo. This year – in addition to the prayer addressed to the Saint so that he may protect and watch over our city and our Archdiocese (Matteo, together with Donato e Antonino (he is one of its Patrons) – we have a particular prayer intention to address to Saint Matthew: that for peace in Ukraine and in the Holy Land”.

“There is no Sunday in which the Holy Father Francisin the prayer of theAngelusyou do not remember these peoples tormented by war and you do not implore the parties in conflict to find ways of a peaceful resolution. – continues Bellandi – This is the reason – in addition to the fact that in these years, from 2023 to 2026, we are celebrating the eighth centenary of the main events concerning the life of a great saint who also sang of peace and is venerated throughout the world, namely S. Francesco – for which we invited the Minister General of the Friars Minorpadre Max Fusarellito give the homily of the Pontifical Mass of September 21. In fact, the custody of the Holy Land has been entrusted to the Franciscans for centuries and it is a Franciscan, the Cardinal Pizzaballail Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins. The presence among us, on the solemnity of St. Matthew, of the Minister General of the Friars Minor It will be one more reason to ask our Patron for his powerful intercession to achieve peace in that land so dear to us.”, he concluded Your Excellency of war

The program

Celebrations in the Cathedral

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER

At 7 pm, at the Primatial Cathedral, Archbishop Andrea Bellandi will celebrate the Holy Mass of Sportsmen.

Three days

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

At 7:00 pm at the Primate Cathedral, HE Mons. Pasquale Cascio, Archbishop of Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi-Conza-Nusco-Bisaccia, will preside over the Holy Mass with the participation of the parish communities of the Forania Salerno Est, animated by the Choir “S. Pietro Apostolo” of Montecorvino Rovella.

THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

At 7:00 pm at the Primate Cathedral, HE Mons. Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin and Bishop of Susa, will preside over the Holy Mass with the participation of the parish communities of the Forania Salerno Ovest-Ogliara, animated by the Choir Sacro Cuore di Gesù of Bellizzi directed by maestro Giovanni Moscariello.

FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

At 7:00 p.m., at the Primatial Cathedral, HE Mons. Andrea Bellandi, Archbishop of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, will preside over the First Capitular Vespers of the Solemnity of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist in the presence of the Superiors and students of the Metropolitan Seminary “John Paul II”. The Rite of the collection of manna will follow at the tomb of the Apostle.

Solemnity of Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist

SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Holy Masses
At 6.30am | 7.30am | 8.30am at the Crypt of San Matteo.
At 7.00 am | 8.00 am at the Upper Basilica.

At 10:30 am at the Primatial Cathedral, HE Mons. Andrea Bellandi, Archbishop of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, will preside over the Solemn Pontifical on the occasion of the Solemnity of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist animated by the Choir of the Diocese of Salerno. The homily will be given by Fr. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor.

At 6:00 p.m., the traditional Procession of the simulacra of San Matteo, San Giuseppe, San Gregorio VII, San Gaio, Sant’Ante and San Fortunato will take place through the streets of the center. In particular, the Procession will travel along via Duomo, via Mercanti, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, via Adolfo Cilento, Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, via Roma, reaching the Teatro Verdi, passing through via Portacatena, Largo Campo, via Da Procida and then via Mercanti, arriving at the intersection with via Duomo to go back up towards the Cathedral. Stops are planned at the Guardia Finanza Barracks, in Piazza Dante for the Blessing on the Sea and at Palazzo di Città.

At 10 pm, at the conclusion of the procession, Holy Mass will be celebrated in the Crypt of San Matteo.

Visit to the Braccio di San Matteo

MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

At 11 am visit to the relic of the Saint at the Hospital “San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona” in Salerno, San Leonardo.

TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

At 11 am visit to the relic of the Saint at the “Antonio Caputo” prison in Salerno, Fuorni.

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

At 11 am visit to the relic of the Saint at the Campolongo Hospital in Eboli (SA).

At 5 pm visit to the relic of the Saint at the Salerno headquarters of the Order of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts, Via Roma 39.

THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

At 9.30 am visit to the relic of the Saint at the Guardia di Finanza at the church of San Giorgio, Salerno.

Floral Tribute of the City

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER

At 8 pm, in Piazza Flavio Gioia, the traditional floral tribute of the City of Salerno to its Patron Saint will take place, with the official opening of the celebrations in honor of Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, in the presence of Archbishop Andrea Bellandi and the civil and military authorities.

Mattean Days

Among the most well-known cultural events promoted by the Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, the Matteane Days: two events that take place within the cycle of solemn patronal celebrations. The event, organized by the Diocesan Office of Culture and Art, will be held in the Atrium of the Cathedral with the title “The Church, home and school of fraternity (Mt 18, 1-35)”, for a current and urgent reflection on the commitment of the Church in the synodal journey and space of universal welcome. The meetings will be chaired by HE Mons. Andrea Bellandi; the evenings will be presented and moderated by Don Vincenzo Serpe, Professor at the Salerno Theological Institute, and by Professor Lorella Parente, Director of the Office of Culture and Art.

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

At 8.15pm, the first meeting of the Matteane Days.

Interventions

“Mt 18: keys to understanding a discourse that is always current” edited by Mons. Ermenegildo Manicardi, Biblical scholar, Vicar General of the Diocese of Carpi;
“The face of the synodal Church: for a Church that listens to everyone” edited by Prof. Vito Mignozzi, Theologian, Dean of the Pugliese Theological Faculty.

THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

At 8.15pm, the second meeting of the Matteane Days.

Interventions:

“Reconciled Brotherhood. From the Old Testament to the Gospel of Matthew” edited by Prof. Antonio Landi, Biblical scholar, lecturer at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome;
“Universal Brotherhood and the Service of the Church” edited by HE Mons. Roberto Repole, Theologian, Archbishop of Turin and Bishop of Susa.

Events

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

At 8 pm, in the Cathedral Atrium, the concert “Venturini 50th. From father to son” with Maestro Bruno Venturini is scheduled to take place on the occasion of his 50-year artistic career.

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER AND SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

At the Arenile di Santa Teresa, the CONI – Campania Regional Committee and the Circolo Canottieri Irno organize the Palio Remiero San Matteo:

Plan

• Saturday 14 September from 9:30, start of the open day and qualification for the Palio di San Matteo Schools. At 12:30, finals and awards and, to follow, at 15, open day and qualification for the Palio San Matteo Parishes, with finals and awards at 16.
• On Sunday 15th September, starting at 10am, the Palio dei portatori dei Santi will be held, followed by the awards ceremony at 12.30pm.

SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

At 8.15 pm, the Primate Cathedral will host an organ concert in honor of the Patron Saint with Maestro Gian Vito Tannoia.

MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

At 7:00 pm, in the Cathedral Atrium, the event entitled “The Bells of the Cathedral of Salerno in the 200th Year of the Casting of its Campanone” (1824-2024) with the participation of Don Luca Franceschini, Director of the National Office for Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage and Religious Buildings, Rosa Fiorillo, Department of Cultural Heritage Sciences of the University of Salerno, Michele Vespasiano, journalist, Ermenegildo Guerra and Paolo Bordoni, scholars of the Italian Association of Campanology. Finally, guided listening of the eight Bells of the Cathedral.

The initiative is organized by the Italian Association of Bell-Singing, in collaboration with the Pastoral Unit of the Historic Center and the Office of Culture and Art of the Diocese of Salerno.

TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

On the occasion of the feast of the Patron Saint, the doors of the Cathedral open for a very special guided tour. “On the trail of Matthew: a night in the Cathedral”: this is the title of the event organized in collaboration with the Erchemperto Association and with the participation of Catholic Action, Agesci, as well as the Community of the Pastoral Unit of the Historic Center.

Below is the program:

• at 6pm guided tour for children and teenagers;
• at 9pm guided tour for adults.