Last Updated December 15,, 2023
Pro Loco Michele Caputo
Moschiano (Av)
Non-political, non-profit cultural and social association
On this page we continue with the list of Moschianese traditions (religious and otherwise) past and/or still in vogue in chronological order.
The second part runs from mid-June, with the celebration of Corpus Domini, until the end of the year.
The hope is that at least the memory of these traditions, many of them so dear to our ancestors, can persist and serve as a lesson for the future at all levels and for all occasions.
Click on a tradition in the list below for more details:
Part 2
The Feast and Procession of Sant'Anna
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Corpus Christi
Perhaps not everyone knows or remembers that the current Parish of Maria SS della Carita' in Moschiano was recently formed having been established only in the 1980s by the merger of two Parishes: Maria SS del Rosario in Capo Moschiano and Parish of San Bartolomeo and Corpo di Cristo for “Piazza” and “Croce” districts.
Even before this event there were two Parishes but the "residence" of the San Bartolomeo Parish was down in the Croce district in the current Church of the Confraternity of the Immaculate where there was also the statue of San Bartolomeo. The church in the Square, however, although very ancient, was a "simple chapel" albeit with particular rights and was only designated as the seat of the Parish in 1941 with the name Parish of San Bartolomeo e Corpo di Cristo. (see P. Moschiano, The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Carita' – Istituto Anselmi – 1972 pp 25 et seq.). The statue of the Saint was moved to the Square in the 1970s by the dear and late Don Salvatore Pierro.
We do not know the exact reasons why the original chapel was named "Body of Christ" (it was already mentioned in 1600), but this title was certainly sealed in the 19th century by the enrichment of a painting on the main altar (perhaps copied from a similar painting by G.B. Pittoni) by Gennaro Martorano: “The Communion of the Apostles”.
The Body of Christ or Corpus Domini.
The celebration of Corpus Domini is therefore an integral part of the history of Moschiano.
Here we want to remember how it happened in the 60s and 70s and in a certain sense it still happens with the words of a friend of ours:
“Almost the entire main street of Moschiano was strewn with flowers. Simple wild flowers. Brooms and poppies, mostly of which our hills and the Monte and the Serra were full of them in particular in May and June and which could be admired in their yellow and red colors from the streets of the town or coming up from Lauro. There were also some white wildflowers. It wasn't exactly the famous "Infiorata" that was done in Noto (Sicily) or in other towns but it had nothing to envy. I remember the high temperatures and Don Salvatore (the parish priest) with the cope, the veil and the monstrance starting the procession under the golden, embroidered canopy, supported by four people from the parish church, going down to the Cross and then going back up to Capomoschiano and returning to the square. Every 50-100 meters there was a small altar. Some under a door, some in the middle of the street. All decorated as best they could, with tablecloths and/or "good" linen sheets. A painting, a statue or a Crucifix in the centre. Candlesticks. Lots of flowers. The Blessed Sacrament was expected. Jesus coming to visit us in our homes. And the procession stopped at all the improvised chapels for the Blessing. A very specific order was followed. It stopped only at those on the right side of the march. The other chapels had to wait their turn for the return of the procession along the same street. And at every stop the gestures were repeated. The Mayor or another "elder" opened the ceremonial umbrella to accompany the Lord from under the palio to the altar. The parish priest who placed the monstrance on the altar, the incense, the blessing, the litanies, and then continued on to the next chapel while part of the people following the procession chanted between one stop and another: "Praise be to every moment the Blessed Sacrament" and another part responded: "Today and always, may Jesus Christ in the sacrament be praised", as if to paraphrase the Count of Carmagnola.
And we went around the whole town until we returned to the parish for adoration and the final blessing.”
June 14 - Anniversary of coronation
June 14th should be a big celebration in Moschiano as it is the anniversary of the coronation of the Madonna della Carita' (June 14th 1886). In reality, with the exception of the big party in 1986 for the centenary of the Coronation (see photo on the side) this anniversary in honor of the Madonna is celebrated with the pilgrimage to Charity but in a much smaller form.
For a more detailed memory of the centenary celebration, please refer to the brochure published on the occasion by the Parish Priests of Moschiano (see photo).
Below is an excerpt from the book cited by Prof Pasquale Moschiano where he talks about the Coronation:
“After the middle of the last century our Sanctuary became increasingly frequented by devotees from all over the Vallo di Lauro.
Then its notoriety grew further and we noticed the presence of many citizens of Monteforte, Nola and other towns on the two most important annual holidays, Monday in Albis and Pentecost Monday.
Thus the devotion towards the Madonna della Carita was not only an exclusively local fact but a pious sentiment that spread beyond the borders of our valley.
The begging Erimite descended from the hill and reached the villages of the Nola countryside to collect the offerings. It crossed the Palma Campania area, reaching Monteforte, Forino and other towns nearby.
There was no shortage of ex-votos which usually consisted of offerings of gold, mostly donated by the people of Moschiano.
This growth of the cult led the town to propose the cause of the coronation of the Madonna which was undoubtedly the most important event in the history of our Sanctuary.
For this reason, it was necessary to prepare a fairly long practice that would contain the various testimonies of graces received from devotees. The correspondence that testifies to all this is deposited in the archives of the Curia of Nola.
In the first instance, a petition was addressed to the Bishop of Nola (Mgr. Giuseppe Formisano, Bishop from 1855 to 1890) to propose to the Vatican Chapter the coronation of the Madonna della Carita'.
We report the text in its entirety: << The undersigned, clergy and people of Vallo di Lauro - mindful of the innumerable graces received from the Almighty, for the very powerful and visible protection of the Holy Virgin who, under the title of Charity, has been venerated in Moschiano in the district called Monte since ancient times. Memories and witnesses of many miracles obtained by the praised Virgin.
Mindful that not only in the present choleric invasion, but also in all the others, they were always unharmed by his gracious mercy.
We humbly and warmly implore Your Excellency to propose to the Vatican chapter the coronation of Holy Mary of Charity, who is venerated in an ancient sanctuary in Moschiano in the district once called Monte and now in memory of the Virgin of Charity - Clergy of Moschiano - signatures - people of Moschiano - signatures >>.
Once the paperwork was forwarded and the documents were examined, the Vatican Chapter approved the request for the coronation of the Madonna della Carita. A copy of the decree of this confirmation is kept in a frame at the Sanctuary.
For the occasion, the Moschianesi offered their Madonna an artistic crown made entirely of gold, set with pearls and precious stones.
On 14 June 1886, during a very solemn ceremony in which Giuseppe Formisano, bishop of Nola for 31 years, was present, although advanced in years, the crown was finally placed on the head of the Statue.
In the Sanctuary, a plaque commemorating the solemn event is preserved.
<< So that the memory of the coronation of the S.S. would be perpetual. Virgin under the title - of Charity that is venerated in this temple - and of the great celebration that the faithful at their expense - made it on 14 June MDCCCLXXXVI. The Moschianesi posed. The year MDCCCXCI>>.
The Rogations
Again from the memories of a friend of ours from the celebrations in the 60s:
“The Rogations are prayers and propitiatory processions for a good harvest. I don't remember exactly how or when these happened in Moschiano. I only have vague images in my mind of Don Salvatore with a heavy cope leaving the Church of the Immaculate Conception with a small group of mostly old people led by us altar boys and heading towards the Church in the Square. During the journey Don Salvatore intoned the litany of the Saints and the people behind responded. Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison … and so on until Propitius est, parce nos, Domine, Ab omni malo, Libera nos, Domine … etc.
It wasn't a "big" procession. It was certainly the sign of faith of humble, hard-working people who, as Tenco said, went, thought (and prayed, we add) along the "usual road as white as salt. The grain to grow, The fields to plow. He looked every day to see if it was raining or sunny to know if he would live or die tomorrow."
But the difference was (and I hope is) that he placed great trust in the Creator. “He was not afraid” and at the same time “He did not lose hope”. Popular faith, Faith of other times. But true Faith.”
The Feast and Procession of Sant'Anna
This is one of the "festivals" and processions that in Moschiano are lost over time. We certainly know that Mrs. Bianca Mazzocca was already organizing it at the end of the 19th century. Her daughter Emilia Tramontano then took care of it, but almost certainly the celebration and procession were organized before them perhaps by their ancestors.
With Mrs. Bianca ther was also Carmela Moschiano while other helpers were Mrs. Emilia, Elena Moscatello (wife of Silvio Dalia), Maria Graziano (wife of Salvatore Carbone) and Carmela Moschiano (mother of 'Antonio 'o mechanic). When Mrs. Emilia died. The others continued with the tradition, then passing the baton to other people.
As with almost all other festivals there were masses and a procession, which attracted a lot of participation, especially from women, as Saint Anne, Mother of Mary, was the patron saint of women giving birth.
With the offerings of the faithful, the party committee often set aside a small sum and organized a small party up in Capomoschiano in the space in front of the church or down the alley in the space once called "o sole e Lelio"
With the arrival of the parish priest Don Peppino Manfredi at the end of the 1960s, the festicciuole became an integral part of the celebrations in honor of Saint Anna. He also began to involve the young people of the parish and with the help of some of them, Marco Arpaia and Antonio Santaniello to name a few, he organized the evening of the day of the liturgical anniversary (July 26th) small plays, song recitals and sometimes, thanks to Marco Arpaia's creative streak, even fashion shows.
Towards the end of the 70s, with the introduction of the Estate Moschianese by the group that preceded the Pro Loco M Caputo, these small parties were integrated into this event and indeed constituted the opening evening.
Over time, first the Estate Moschiano disappeared, then the children's festivals and later, with the reduction of the processions in the town, also that of Sant'Anna. The faith of the women of Moschiano and of the people of Moschiano, however, remains undaunted today.
Special thanks to Olinda Dalia for the information and photos provided to us.
The Estate Moschianese
From the story of a friend of ours: "1978 hadn't started out well for Italy. There had been the kidnapping and killing of Aldo Moro and his escort and this had shocked everyone and had generated enough fear and uncertainty among people. We wanted to think about something else.
In 1991 Gino Paoli wrote and sang "We were four friends at the bar who wanted to change the world". In May-June 1978, we were 3 friends (Carmine R. Salvatore A and I) who had met by chance not at the bar but in Tonino's barbershop (Mast'Aniello had already emigrated to America). We didn't want to change the world but to do something for Moschiano. We discussed this and that and how that summer was particularly boring because nothing special was planned. In Lauro perhaps celebrations would once again have been held, but in Moschiano nothing. What could have been done then to brighten up the summer evenings for the people of Moschiano who would not have gone to Lauro, much less on holiday, and for the many emigrants who returned?
The feast in Moschiano hadn't been held for years. To tell the truth, I have always hated the fact that people used to celebrate with the excuse of faith. I preferred and prefer that the two things remained separate or at least without excesses. For some years Don Peppino had been organizing little feasts in Capomoschiano. In particular for Sant'Anna a more religious celebration and on August 15th a more "civil" one which she called "Friendship Festival". The latter was organized with the aim of giving the many emigrants who returned to Moschiano from abroad or from Northern Italy a few happy hours during the August holiday period before returning. They were two nice initiatives but there was nothing between July 26th and August 15th.
With Carmine and Salvatore we started talking about what could be done and the ideas began to emerge like an erupting volcano. It was that process that I later learned was called “brainstorming.” We understood that perhaps something could happen. We decided to meet again in the following days (usually at Minuccio's Bar, in the parish or at the home of one of us) to jot down more concrete ideas. Usually we started in one place and ended in another.
That's when several proposals came out. Why not symbolically combine the fiests that Don Peppino already had and organize events between the two events (26 July - 15 August) to entertain people? It would also have been an opportunity to unite the communities even more. What could we have organised? And then with what funds to subsidize them?
It was decided to present this proposal to other friends and see what they thought. Ideas began to flow. Athletics competitions could have been organised, for example, perhaps a ping pong or volleyball tournament. Why not doing a play? How about an evening of singing like "Corrida" or various games along the lines of "Games without Borders"? For the funds we could have collected donations from local traders or made a collection. Come on guys we can do it.
We got to work and floated the idea to the Parish Priests and Mayor Mimi'. They indulged us. We then decided to draw up a detailed program. Since we didn't have any money, we thought we'd use old election propaganda posters and write it with markers on the back. I don't remember the program well. We certainly accomplished what I mentioned above. I also remember that volleyball was something new for Moschiano and it was also becoming established in Italy (Italy would win the Silver medal at the World Cup that year). Carmine, Salvatore and I decided to write the rules on some sheets and give them to the teams. 3-4 men's teams had been formed and I think two or three women's teams. Don Salvatore lent us the net and the balls of the Lauro Middle School. The poles to support it were made with iron forged by Paolo Paolillo, an expert blacksmith and supported by two wheels filled with cement.
For the play, the bullfight and other things we needed a stage, how could we do it? I had an idea. I asked Pio A. if he could place the trailer of his truck sideways in front of the sacristy parallel to the Church. We could have used it as a stage and the sacristy as a 'dressing room' and, once the performance or concert of the day was over, easily remove it the same evening so as to have space the following day for the volleyball games. There were no problems. Pio was a master at these things.
The first Moschianese Estate started on 26 July 1978.
On August 6, 1978 we were holding the bullfight in the square when the news of the death of Pope Paul VI arrived. I remember that Don Salvatore communicated it to me while Mimi' Esposito (Mimi' e Alena) was performing with his accordion and I was the one who went up on stage to give it to the many people who were in the Square. Of course we stopped the festivities.
Those days were memorable. I remember the kids who, when they met me on the street, asked me: "What are we doing this evening?". With Don Peppino we decided that the final evening would be the Friendship Festival in Capomoschiano. With other friends and with the funds collected among the traders we decided to buy prizes such as cups and medals to be distributed on August 15th. Marco A. sent us to a shopkeeper in Naples who he knew and who sold these things. So one day in the first week of August Carmine R., Salvatore A and I found ourselves in the heat of a semi-deserted Naples to buy cups and medals.
Everything went well. On the evening of August 15th we were all in Capomoschiano to celebrate Friendship Day with many other people and to distribute prizes.
That 15th August the First Moschianese Summer ended in the churchyard of Capomoschiano. A feast, without a feast but where everyone was celebrating.
The Estate Moschianese was successfully repeated for a few years. Until towards the mid-80s when the then Mayor of Moschiano Antonio Siniscalchi decided to give life again to the village festival which is still held annually, often with a great waste of money.
With the Estate Moschianese we had demonstrated that you can be a community, you can have fun, create culture and raise people's spirits even without spending a lot of money. All it takes is a little imagination and good will."
The "Feast" in Moschiano
The feast in Moschiano has a long tradition although it has changed a lot over the years and for a period between the early 70s and mid 80s it was not celebrated.
Like all popular festivals, the "excuse" for having a party is always found in "giving honor" to some Saint, often the Patron Saint. Moschiano was no exception.
It is said that in times gone by (perhaps until the 1950s) a feast was held in Moschiano, even if it was not annual. Famous, because it is mentioned in several books, the one that the Moschianesi held on the occasion of the coronation of the Madonna della Carita on 14 June 1886. Those were the parties where the lighting was done with acetylene flames and "soffritto" was sold on the street ” (the famous one sold in the chestnut grove behind the church at Carita' on Easter Monday by 'Ndino (?) ) or “o pero e o musso” .
After a statue of San Gerardo was donated to the parish of Moschiano by…. In 195???? From ??? he was proclaimed patron saint and an annual feast began to be held in his honor.
The Bishop of Nola, His Excellency Adolfo Binni, also participated in the first celebration in honor of San Gerardo (see photo). But to organize a feast with lights, musical bands, etc. requires a lot of work and a lot of money and these were not always available. Generally, a celebration committee was formed which worked on various initiatives throughout the year (for example raffles of various types of gifts offered by people devoted to the Saint) to raise funds, but the main source was the Sunday alms house for home (“a cascetta”).
Starting from 198... thanks to the interest of the then Mayor Antonio Siniscalchi and with the support of the parish priest Don Salvatore Pierro it was decided to restore the town feast. For some years, however, the cult of the Madonna della Carita had grown and Don Salvatore pushed more and more for her to be recognized as the true Patroness of Moschiano. It was therefore decided to nominate the Madonna della Carita' and San Gerardo as co-Patrons of Moschiano and hold a celebration in their honor in the first ten days of August.
Since then the feast has been held annually in a more or less sumptuous form. The organization of the feast is entrusted to a committee often made up of young volunteers which is formed and whose members change from year to year. Their main task, in addition to raising funds for the organization of the feast is also to coordinate the its program with the parish, the municipality, other associations and various experts, obtain the various permits, manage the logistics of the event (for example where to sleep the members of the musical bands who are hired) , etc..
In recent years the various parish priests have tried to stigmatize the difference between the religious and civil programs of the festival, but this has proven to be very difficult.
At the beginning the festival was celebrated over two days. Usually the first day of the celebration was dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament with the related procession, while the second day was dedicated to the Saint. Even if for some decades the church has rightly recommended minimizing the processions of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the year, therefore it is no longer held for the feast, in recent years the celebrations have extended to several days, each dedicated to a particular event including a day dedicated to celebration up at the Sanctuary. Already in the previous weeks something different was felt in the air. Meanwhile, being celebrated in early August, the period of greatest influx of tourists and/or emigrants returning on holiday to Moschiano, and right before the annual hazelnut harvest, it allows many more people to participate and this can be seen in the street with an increase in people.
Then you begin to see white or blue poles appearing every 30-40 meters on both sides of the road, connected and supported by iron wires to the balconies. They will be used for the illuminations (a 'llummata") which are often very sumptuous based on the money that the party committee has been able to raise. The money raised also determines whether one or two bands are invited to play. On the two main days of the festival the main street is closed and street vendors line the sides of the road with their goods. Then there is the procession with the statues of San Gerardo and the Madonna in which the whole town takes part and which in recent years lasts a couple of hours. (see procession description). From time to time along its route the procession stops to give way to the fireworks of be shot (“and batteries”). Afterwards everyone goes home for lunch, but in the evening the streets fill up again and there is an incredible coming and going of people, many of whom have also come from neighboring towns.
The party usually ends with the so-called "concertino". A singing performance by one or more singers (more or less "famous") followed by colorful fireworks.
From tomorrow everyone will be back in the fields, the hazelnuts are waiting to be harvested or to return to the countries or cities that host us as immigrants. See you again, God willing, next year. And “May the Madonna accompanies you”.
The eve of the Assumption
There are some anecdotes handed down to us by our ancestors that make us include the eve of the Assumption among the traditions (even if now lost) of Moschiano.
Our ancestors said that on the day of the eve of the Assumption (14 August) there was a tradition in Moschiano of eating "bread and melon". We don't know why and where this custom came from but it is certainly unique.
Again of a "gastronomic" type, but we are not sure whether on the day of the eve or the day of the Assumption there was the custom of eating pasta with milk.
Another tradition dating back to when the parish in Moschiano was down in the Croce district was that of our grandmothers to gather in the church at dusk and recite the Rosary but in a somewhat different form. In fact, instead of the usual "posts" and "mysteries", one hundred Hail Marys were recited interspersed with one hundred signs of the Cross and the following "refrain":
"Favz nemic vattenn' a la' cu st'anem mia nn a ve' a che fa' ogg è u juorn ra' Vergine Maria io m' facce cient cruce e dic cient Ave Maria..."
. We don't know much more.
The Chestnut Festival
The Chestnut Festival together with the Torch of Faith and the Estate Moschianese was one of the first events officially organized by the Pro Loco Michele Caputo in collaboration with the parishes and with the patronage of the Municipality of Moschiano.
As already described in the "Our History" section (click here for details) it was conceived to enhance a product which was (and is together with hazelnuts and olive trees) the basis of the economy of our territory and which for years had almost passed into oblivion, victim of an illness which had affected the chestnuts in the previous decades (the so-called "cancer" of the chestnut).
With this initiative we wanted to make known the goodness of our chestnut (the so-called "Marrone di Santa Cristina"), to give a boost to the economy of Moschiano and Vallo and at the same time to make the producers make a leap in quality by introducing them little by little. to an increasingly modern and scientific approach to the production and marketing of chestnuts.
At the same time he also wanted to cheer up a little the cool autumn evenings of Moschiano and attract people to also help the various traders of Moschiano.
The first festival was held in two evenings: October 25th and 26th 1980. With the help of the municipal administration and the Provincial Tourism Board (EPT) we organized a conference for the first evening and invited a representative of the Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) to hold a conference/debate on local production and marketing of chestnuts abroad.
For the second evening instead at the President's house Marco Arpaia we prepared a series of desserts which we offered for free in the square together with other gastronomic tastings (sandwiches and sausages, pasta, etc.) while games were played, there was music, dancing etc.
With the help of a mimeograph that Don Salvatore had at the office and which we had used over the years to print many other things (from songs for the Church to speeches, circular letters, etc.) we also prepared a little book with chestnut-based recipes to distribute to the guests who would come. The cover was designed by Tina Cuozzo (See photo alongside).
In the following years, the Pro Loco Michele Caputo continued to organize this event with great success. (See article on the side for the Second Sagra).
Unfortunately, over time it has become a political and partisan tool of this or that group and has often risked losing what its original intent was. In fact, in some of the past forty years it has not been held for various reasons.
When it was celebrated, regardless of the group that organized it, it always had the success that the founding friends of the celebration had always hoped for.
We appeal to all the people of Moschiano and to all the friends of Vallo, young and old, of any social class, cultural level, sex, religion, political idea and belonging to any group so that it can continue to be celebrated in future years with the same spirit, ideal, enthusiasm and self-sacrifice with which the first festival was held.
Let us make our own Aldo Moro's appeal in one of his last speeches: “If you tell me: what will happen in a little while? I answer: there may be something new. If it were possible to say: let's skip this time and go straight to this tomorrow, I think it could be accepted. But dear friends, it's not possible. Today we have to live, today is our responsibility. It's about being courageous and confident, it's about living the time we've been given, with all its difficulties. What is important is to refine the soul, better outline the physiognomy, enrich (our editor's note) ideal heritage... What is important... if you want it,... is to persevere in unity at all costs... For this reason I appreciate everyone and I tell everyone: we are close! ... It's true what I said, that if we were to make mistakes, it's better to make mistakes together. If we were to succeed, ah! Of course it would be extremely nice to succeed together. But always together!”
November 2
In Moschiano, like the whole of Southern Italy, the anniversary of the memory of the deceased is experienced more as a "celebration" than a sad or at least "sober" moment. In fact, in popular language it is often referred to as "All Souls' Feast".
After the summer (and the village festival), and Easter this is the occasion when many of the Moschianese who live elsewhere (often even abroad) return to their native town. We usually meet at the cemetery which, since the day before, has already been teeming with people with huge bundles of flowers. In the 60s and 70s these were a prerogative of the wealthiest families who often moved to Naples, Avellino or other cities who arrived in large displacement cars which were a novelty for Moschiano at the time. Today, however, almost everyone carries them and for those who didn't buy them in the previous days, in the open space in front there is always some florist who you can turn to to remedy this "lack" and naturally many parked cars.
Via Prof Carmine Pacia (formerly known as “cupa da chianga” and then as Via Cimitero) is a coming and going of people. At the height of the bridge over the Lagno, some members of the Festival Commission usually stand (like Bravi in Manzonian memory) to ask for a contribution. For a few decades, lights in the shapes of crosses, hearts or similar have been placed on tombs. There is no grave without flowers or tomb without a lamp or someone who prays or spends time with friends and acquaintances perhaps not seen again for years or simply since the summer. We go around the graves to pay homage to relatives and friends or acquaintances who preceded us and with whom we shared part of our lives.
Until a few years ago, throughout the morning and until 2-3 in the afternoon it was also possible to participate in some masses in private chapels which were offered by priests originally from Moschiano who returned for the occasion. In recent years, perhaps also due to the lack of priests of Moschiano origin, the masses have been reduced to just a couple and all celebrated in the municipal chapel erected in the newer eastern part of the cemetery where until the 1980s there was a house that was supposed to be the caretaker's home but which was never completed.
After the mass the parish priest passes by the tombs for the ritual blessing. In the afternoon we meet as usual in the various bars for a game of cards or for a simple walk, weather permitting.
November 4
The so-called "Bridge of Saints" in Moschiano inevitably cannot fail to include November 4th.
Moschiano gave his tragic contribution first for 'the unification of the homeland' and then to satisfy the crazy sovereigntist ideologies and this memory is a duty for all of us.
In Moschiano the end of the great war and the day of the Armed Forces is celebrated in a sober atmosphere by first celebrating a Mass in the church in the presence of the civil and military authorities in memory of the fallen of all wars and then with a "procession" of the wreaths which will then be placed at the foot of the commemorative plaques in the square.
Until the 1960s, a black carpet was spread in front of the altar in the church and places on it. a helmet and a sword that belonged to an army officer during the Second World War. Today it is no longer done.
Once the mass is over, the two crowns, which had been placed on the sides of the altar for the mass and then blessed, are carried around the town in a sort of procession. They are preceded by pupils from the elementary and middle schools of Moschiano all wearing aprons and the Italian flag and (once) by veterans of both wars with the flag of the Knights of Vittorio Veneto. Today there is only the flags and perhaps still some veterans of the Second World War.
Following them was the Mayor preceded by the municipal banner. Then the council, the city councilors, the music band that invitingly plays "the Legend of the Piave" and then the people. The procession proceeds quickly. At the “bersagliere pace”. But not in a hurry. Flags are displayed on the balconies. As the wreaths pass, people throw or place flowers on them.
Once the journey through the town has been completed, the wreaths are placed at the base of the two gravestones in the square and from the balcony in front of the church the mayor or someone else delegated by him, councilor, student or other person, delivers a commemorative speech, often very touching which is always concludes with the recitation of the inscriptions and names of the fallen of Moschiano engraved on the tombstones. To every name people respond “Present”. They are present among us and their sacrifice, even in the belief of the futility of all wars, will not remain in vain.
Plaque for the Fallen of the First World War (written by Prof. Carmine Pacia)
Sulle Linee dell'ardire
Sulla fronte della riscossa
In terra nemica per martirio
Fanti di sei brigate indefettibili e gagliarde
Bersaglieri d'impeto e cannonieri di costanza
Caddero
Nella suprema guerra del riscatto
Angelo Mazzocca
Giovanni Pacia
Antonio Fiore
Gustavo Airoldi
Gilberto Addeo
Di Lauro Sabato
Fortunato Marotta
Santolo Mazzocca
Francesco Moschiano
Saverio Mazzocchi
Gaetano Marotta
Gaetano Pacia
Vincenzo Dalia
Vincenzo Manfredi
Soldati D'Italia
Cittadini di Moschiano
Ai congiunti l'Onore
Ai compagni l'orgoglio
Ai posteri il culto
Gennaio MCMXX
Plaque for the fallen of the Second World War (written by Prof. Pasquale Moschiano)
Sugli arsi deserti Afgricani
Sulle gelide lande Russe
In terra Balcanica
Sui lidi Ionici di Cefalonia
Ardimentosi sempre
Pur nell'infausta sorte
Ligi al dover di PAtria
Caddero
I figli di Moschiano
Ten . Pacia Guido
Med. Lt. Pacia Mario
Sub. Lt. Buonaiuto Fulvio
Dalia Carlo
Sold. Loving Raffaele
Aschettino Guglielmo
Esposito Pietro
Manzi Luciano
Moschiano Luigi
Mazzocca Tommaso
Vivenzio Andrea
Ai martiri
l'imperitura memoria
dei posteri
Moschiano 1961
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The traditional Christmas period begins in Moschiano with the feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is a typical festival of the Croce district. Not that special things are done but perhaps maintaining the tradition of when there was an "autonomous" parish it is deeply felt by the people of the district and is still celebrated in a solemn form. It begins with the "Novena" in the nine days preceding December 8th. It consists of the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Eucharistic blessing towards around 5-6 in the evening.
Once upon a time the children began to gather in the open space in the churchyard (the so-called "Chapel") well before the time of the service and the explosions of the first tric-tracs began to be heard. A sign that Christmas was approaching.
On the day of the festival (8 December) the SS Masses are celebrated (usually at least two) and after the 11am mass there is a procession through the town. In the evening the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the blessing. Afterwards the musical band entertained the people in the churchyard.
Saint Lucia
While the Immaculate Conception (with Sant'Aniello) is the typical celebration of the Croce district, Santa Lucia (with Sant'Anna) is the typical celebration of the Capomoschiano district.
The feast of Saint Lucia occurs on December 13th to commemorate and honor the Saint of Syracuse origins. There are various and different stories about Saint Lucia. Lucia was born in the year 283 AD to a noble family. His father was originally from Roma who died when she was just 5 years old, leaving her and her mother without protection. A devout Christian she took a vow of chastity even though her mother wanted to marry her to a pagan. According to legend, she brought food and various aid to the Christians in the Catacombs using a candle on his head so as to have his hands free to carry as much stuff as possible. When her mother fell ill Lucia turned to Saint Agatha (another Sicilian Saint) and this appearing to her in a dream reassured her that her mother would be healed thanks to her faith. Once her mother recovered, she canceled the marriage and donated Lucia's dowry to the poor. This irritated her future husband to the point of denouncing her as a Christian. She was threatened in various ways and subjected to various tortures including blinding, but she miraculously immediately regained the gift of sight. For this reason she is venerated as the patroness of sight. She was martyred by the emperor Diocletian in 310 AD and died only after receiving the rite of the sick.
As in all other celebrations in Moschiano, everything naturally begins with "the shot of the Diana" or a series of 7 shots of fireworks to signal to everyone the start of the festivities. The sequence of shots is very precise: first 5 single shots, then a shot containing 5 in a row and finally another single shot.
Usually at least two masses are celebrated and after the 11am mass there is the procession of the statue of the Saint.
In the evening, after the religious functions, there is the ritual of the "focarone". For a more detailed description of this rite see the feast of Sant'Aniello. Even if they take place in two different places in Moschiano and on two different days, the two folkloristic rites are very similar.
It should be noted that for some years the feast of Santa Lucia and that of Sant'Aniello have been combined into a single feast which is celebrated on a single day every other year in the Croce district or in Capomoschiano. The two statues are carried in procession together.
Sant'Aniello
The feast of Sant'Aniello (or Agnello) on December 14th is the other great celebration of the Croce district. The statue of the Saint in the church is located at the end of the right nave near the entrance to the Sacristy.
Sant'Aniello is a saint typically venerated in the Neapolitan area. He “Would have been born in 535 from a rich Neapolitan family (the mother was called Giovanna and the father Federico) of Syracuse origins, perhaps related to that of Santa Lucia.
Upon the death of his parents, whose considerable assets he inherited, Agnello dedicated himself to charitable works, using the inherited money to found a hospital for the suffering poor (what according to some would later become the modern hospital of the 1st Polyclinic in Naples ).
In some places Sant'Aniello is venerated as the master of women giving birth, but in Moschiano this honor goes to Sant'Anna (mother of the Madonna).
However, this does not mean that the cult of Sant'Aniello is less strong or the Saint less ... "feared".
Straddling faith and superstition is the popular belief that those who do not honor him properly would be punished by growing a hunchback. Clearly we do not endorse this belief, but the fact is that the Masses celebrated in honor of the Saint on his feast day are very crowded.
For years the celebrations down in the Croce district were organized and coordinated by Aniello Manfredi and Giovanni Albano. In the past, to allow as many people as possible to participate in the Holy Mass and since many people worked in the fields, the first mass was celebrated before sunrise (around 5:30 in the morning). Needless to say, it was packed.
The 11am mass with the inevitable panegyric of the "preacher" (often in the years from the beginning of the 60s to the end of the 80s) Don Rocco Napolitano, parish priest of Lauro) who every year tells the story of the Saint is followed with the Procession of the Saint through the streets of Moschiano.
However, faith, tradition and folklore come together and mix on the evening of December 14th. After the recitation of the Rosary and the Eucharistic Blessing there is the rite perhaps of pagan origin of the "focarone". This is a large bonfire up to 5-6 meters high that was once built and burned in the center of the churchyard (the "chapel") in front of the church.
In recent years with the consolidation of the feasts of Saints Lucia and Aniello this tradition is renewed every other year in Capomoschiano or at Croce and the bonfire is often built and burned far from their historical site. Below we tell "the time that was".
The kids have been preparing for this event since the morning of December 14th. In fact, they can be seen in groups going from house to house or through the fields to collect tree branches that the farmers have pruned and left in the fields or bundles already tied, carrying them and piling them on one side of the churchyard. Often, especially when one went with carts (once the 'carruoccioli') to collect wood, a figurine with the image of the Saint was hoisted onto the top of them.
Around 2-3 in the afternoon we meet in the churchyard and begin to build the bonfire. A pole in the center and all around fagots and branches arranged wisely and cunningly to ensure that it burned in a constant and vertical manner (enough oxygen must pass through it for this to happen) and at the same time not in a hurry (to give way to everyone to enjoy the show).
Once finished, you wait until the end of the evening services in church to turn it on. People gather around it (at a safe distance) and at the indicated moment, after the parish priest has blessed the pile of branches, the "leader" of the boys proceeds with the lighting while the band plays to cheer up the evening. Not far away other boys begin to shoot Christmas barrels (including the famous tric-trac).
When after a few hours everything was finished, the remaining embers were extinguished and the charcoal was once sold to the highest bidder with the proceeds donated to the parish.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve in Moschiano but in the Napoli area in general (and for all those of southern origin) has a particular "flavor". Literally.
Who doesn't remember how in the 60s and 70s (and perhaps even before) on this day before dawn there appeared, almost by magic, in front of the various shops in Moschiano large "tins" full of water with live eels inside that wriggled, splashing water almost everywhere. Who doesn't remember the various "Maruzziello and Cecchina", "Nannina" or "Giovanni" or others shouted at the top of their lungs to attract the people who invariably flocked to grab the best goods.
Meanwhile, at midday we didn't eat or at least we "spizzuliava" with a bit of fried cod. At home everyone was thinking about preparing for dinner, a description of which is given below.
We like to remember two other traditions, now perhaps disappeared, but which until the 1980s our fathers and grandfathers strictly respected and "invited" us (let's say "forced") following.
The first was that of the Rosary and blessing of thanksgiving. On Christmas Eve around 5-6 we all went to church for the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Eucharistic blessing. Woe betide you if you don't go there! Our fathers and grandparents came to find us in the most cramped places (but it was often the bar) to take us to church. Without ifs and buts. It doesn't matter who you were with. We stopped everything and went. Incidentally, there was actually another sign of respect: when a parent entered a bar and their children were there playing cards, they had to stop immediately. Other times.
Once the ceremony in church was over everyone went home. Often at grandparents' house. But not with hands in hand. There was the tradition of the basket for the grandparents. This was also a sign of respect. On Christmas Eve when the families gathered for dinner. The married children who did not live with their grandparents (even those who were in the same house to tell the truth), gathered with the whole family and when going to their grandparents they brought a large basket with every good thing: pasta, cheese, salami, cod, etc. When you arrived you wished a Merry Christmas and kissed your grandparents' hand. This usually happened with the paternal grandparents while for the maternal grandparents the story repeated itself a few days earlier.
Once everyone had gathered we had dinner and stayed there and didn't leave until midnight to go to Mass. In the street you could hear the resounding of the inevitable tric-tracs.
We report here the story of the eve and the dinner in Naples that circulated in the media for Christmas 2020. We don't know the author, but we like to report it because it describes, between the true and the facetious, what only those from the south and Neapolitan in particular can understand.
“The rule (generally in Italy) is that Christmas Eve lunches are pizza, casatiello or parade and dinners that last 5/6 hours without counting panettone-pandoro, cassata, sweets, dried fruit time to "take away the flavor"?
Wake up at dawn to "arrange" the house and set the table... yes, with us the table is set at dawn.
Furniture moved, sofas gone... Once the cosmic void has been created, tables, coffee tables and chairs appear from nothing.
They get ready for an intimate family lunch: 36 Christians + 12 children and 4 newborns, plus grandmothers and grandfathers.
Once the table is "decorated" we move on to the COOKING phase. If you enter a Neapolitan building at 7.00 in the morning on a public holiday you can already hear the pain of the clams, the stench of cauliflower and the noise of the cod and capitone frying in the entrance hall.
The menu includes:
▶️ STARTERS: canapés with tuna and mayonnaise, salmon and mayonnaise, ham and mayonnaise, "caviar" and mayonnaise, mayonnaise and mayonnaise;
cardoons, broccoli, artichokes, courgettes, fried in batter; various and possible rags; pickles and in oil, Russian salad, octopus with potatoes, seafood salad in which you find everything except salad.
▶️ FIRST: O 'spaghetti that fruits' and seafood, with a whole can of oil and with the usual problem "and make it white or ca pummarulella? (with cherry tomatoes) " "Okay, let's taste it and do it all".
Wait, wait.... A dishes of married menesta (wedded broccoli)!!
▶️ SECOND: O Pezzullo (small piece) of cod, o capitone (eels)e 'a nzalat (salad) and reinforcement (as if everything else weakened you) with 'a papaccell (peppers) and o per 'e vruoccl x pulezzà a vocca! (broccoli to clean the mouth)
▶️SWEET and FRUIT: Two Struffoli with apples, sugar and riavulilli or nu pare and murzietti. I know doci roci. No mandarin, puree or apple. Wait, they're there and woody. And to feni' (end) walnuts, nuts and baked chestnuts.
It is essential in Naples that the guest must tuppuliare that pier...(knock with his feet) or rather he must present himself with: wine, liqueurs, half a Scaturchio pastry and a poinsettia for grandmother...
Lunch/snack/dinner is consumed in total din.
Once you've had your fill...ehhhh full... women get rid of Mary Poppins in 6 minutes and 45 seconds, my mother can only get rid of it.
When everything is nice and "sorted out", you get into the "accumminciamm" (let's start) position, that is, for TOMBOLA, terror for kids, psychedelic fun for children and the elderly.
Typical phrases that can be heard during this game are:
-Ambo.. after the first number drawn.
-BUT... DID THEY COME OUT on 25 56 72 49 36? only after 2 minutes.
-WAIT I HAVE FALLEN ALL THE LENTILS REPEAT ALL THE NUMBERS
- THE LITTLEEST - OLD LADY LEGS - ASS - THE YEARS OF CHRIST - THE YEARS OF THE AUNT 7 YEARS AGO, don't stress me.
-AND I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR 40 FOR AN HOUR.....41...BOTTOM!!!!!!!
Intermezzo struffoli, raffiuoli, roccocò and cassatine, coffee and ammazzacaffè (another hour and a half).
Around 8.30pm the "what do we put at the table? Is it what's left?" "Noooooooo I'm not eating, I'm just sitting down to keep you company" and then they even eat the feet of the table...
A few more rounds of 7 and 1/2 with related arguments, division of the remaining food in plastic containers and everyone at their home.
How do you explain to a scoundrel that all this is part of our cultural baggage that we must protect because despite the "thoughts", "misfortunes" and "shortcomings" that exist in all families, give us food and being together with happiness and everything passes... AT LEAST FOR ONE DAY....
Christmas Day
Christmas with us is not a day. It's been at least a... month. It runs from December 1st with the beginning of the Novena of the Immaculate Conception to January 6th, the Epiphany ("a Befana").
No it's not (it was) the modern Christmas with the rush for gifts, with shops and lights, trips abroad and ski weeks. No, our Christmas was and is (perhaps), an atmosphere made of friends and family, faith and tradition, religious ceremonies and food, tombola, barrels, biancali and "fruili".
As early as the Immaculate Conception, we begin to take the boxes with the "shepherds" for the nativity scene and "balls" for the tree from the top of the cupboards or from the closets. Once upon a time our Christmas trees were pine branches perhaps taken from those that were on Mount Serra or Pizzone or in Cerreta. We farmers and children of farmers respected nature. Those few who could afford a real tree bought it with the roots because after January 6th they went to replant it in the garden behind the house.
The Nativity scene is then carefully prepared. The starry or glittering background, perhaps made with the external packaging of the jealously preserved Easter eggs of our grandmothers. the soil made with real stones or moss. Here the hut, there the houses with the butcher, the deli, the family eating. Further away are the mountains. Who can put lights there. And then the inevitable star on the nativity hut, bigger and brighter than the others. In addition to being a tradition, it is a real ritual and above all an art. We recognize the figurines (the “shepherds”) one by one and keep them safe to use them year after year. The little ones are placed further away from the hut to give a sense of perspective, while the wise men are moved almost every day, closer and closer to the hut of the Birth, because we know they arrive on January 6th.
The nativity scene is prepared in its fullness, all the figurines are placed on it, shepherds, Magi, Angels, Joseph, Mary, but not Jesus. Jesus is placed on the nativity scene on Christmas night. At midnight returning from mass. Some do so after carrying it in procession around their homes.
This has been our Christmas for centuries. Faith and tradition.
Our Christmas is the one described by Eduardo De Filippo in "Christmas in the Cupiello house", but it is also the one that remained in our minds from when we were children and who knows why we are convinced that they were the most beautiful Christmases always and then because we “like a nativity scene”.
December 31st
Nowadays, December 31st (New Year's Eve) is synonymous with parties perhaps in more or less well-known locations, not to mention live TV broadcasts with squares full of artists, people with glasses with the numbers of the coming year, hats, trumpets .
Once upon a time this was a much more sober and familiar affair. At most it was spent at friends' houses playing the inevitable Tombola and toasting the new year with some good Italian sparkling wine. Better if local. However, there are two traditions that have also gone out of fashion and perhaps a typically Moschianese one that we like to remember.
The first is the so-called "presentat'arm" which was held once in the space in front of the Incoronata church in Capomoschiano. We do not know the origins of this tradition. Maybe war veteran soldiers or maybe something else. The fact is that perhaps until the mid-1900s a religious ceremony was held on New Year's Eve in the church of the Immaculate Conception. The Rosary was recited, a Te Deum of thanks was sung and then there was the Eucharistic Blessing. Outside the church, in the churchyard, a group of people (men) lined up in military formation with their rifles (at that time there was one in every house) and right at the moment of the Blessing they stood at attention and they presented the honors of arms just as is done now when a Head of State or other dignitary goes to pay an official visit to some other Head of State. Perhaps it was a mixture of faith, and gratitude to the Ultimate Authority."
Another tradition was that of the "tuocco". On New Year's Eve it was necessary for the younger ones to bring to the older ones, often to the grandparents, but not only. A log of wood to be used in the fireplace that was invariably in our homes. Again a sign of respect and gratitude. We believe that this tradition like that of "presenting arms" has totally disappeared from our homes. Maybe it would be time to take it back and if not 'your touch' perhaps bring something else, or just our presence to say thanks again to our grandparents who gave us so much and from whom we have to learn so much.