Celebrations in honour of B.V. di San Luca

Solemn celebrations in honour of the Blessed Virgin of San Luca, during which the image of the Madonna is carried in procession from the Sanctuary of San Luca to St. Peter's Cathedral in Bologna, where it remains for a week before being taken back to the Sanctuary on the Colle della Guardia.

Every year, the image of the Madonna of San Luca is carried in procession from the Sanctuary to St Peter's Cathedral in Bologna in memory of the help the Virgin Mary gave the city in 1433 after the continuous rains in April, May and June threatened to jeopardise the harvest of the fields.

So the Elders of the city decided to turn to Our Lady of San Luca for the necessary help, and this request was granted with the appearance of a beautiful sun that ceased the interminable nefarious rains.

This year the sacred image will descend from the Sanctuary on Saturday 4 May. At 6.00 p.m. at Porta Saragozza, the people of Bologna will meet the venerated image of the Blessed Virgin of St Luke, which will be carried in procession to St Peter's Cathedral, along Via Saragozza, Via Collegio di Spagna, Via Carbonesi, Via D'Azeglio, Piazza Nettuno, Piazza Maggiore, Piazza Indipendenza. Entry into the Cathedral at around 7 p.m.