GUARDIA SANFRAMONDI, Italy — Centuries ago, legend has it, a farmer discovered a wooden Madonna statue in a field in the emerald hills northeast of Naples. After locals fought to keep the statue, they honored it with rituals. The rites in the hamlet of Guardia Sanframondi were originally designed to seek the pardon of the Madonna dell’Assunta or her divine intervention against famine and scarce harvest. They are now held every seven years, in a week of atonement and costumed parades that re-enact biblical parables. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThe seven days culminate with a Sunday procession, which includes hundreds of self-flagellating, hooded penitents.

Source: New York Times September 10, 2017 19:18 UTC