On Saturday, August 16, 2025, the Abruzzo and Molise Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, led by the Delegate, Baron Emanuele Muzj di Fontecchio, Knight of Jure Sanguinis, participated in the solemn Eucharistic Celebration of the liturgical feast of Saint Roche, held in the evocative Baroque church dedicated to him in Popoli Terme, the Church of San Rocco. The Mass was presided over by Parish Priest, Father Gilberto Uscategui Restrepo, with Father Francesco Romito as concelebrant. The Mass combined spirituality and tradition, culminating in the blessing and distribution of the “loaves of Saint Roche,” a symbol of protection and charity, commemorating the day Saint Roche was infected by the plague and retreated to a forest, where a dog brought him bread each day. This was followed by an evening procession through the town streets, a moment of intense devotion and community participation. In Popoli Terme, as in many towns in Abruzzo, the feast of Saint Roche is a bridge between the sacred and the social: from the blessing of the bread to the procession, every gesture is charged with meaning. This is a cult that endures over time, recalling how, throughout history, hope has often taken the form of a pilgrim with a staff and a generous heart.
