Hope to be Beatified

Can anyone resist a priest's invitation to set Todi on fire? Eleanor came across Don Riccardo on her way to the Oratorio today, and he asked for help in just that way. In fact, she and Ashley ended up scattering candles all over town (the kind in aluminum tins, to be placed on the ground), all the way from the Giardinetti to the Duomo.

The steps of San Fortunato were completely ablaze when I emerged to enjoy tonight's historic occasion in town that was being celebrated in the "usual" manner: that is, with torches, the aforementioned candles, horses, a band, the three confraternities, Red Cross, firefighters, and local archery club.

The occasion? The arrival of the image of Madre Speranza, a local who will be beatified on May 31 of this year at Collevalenza, a suburb of Todi.

Madre Speranza was born in 1893 in Spain, and went into the religious orders at an early age (taking on the name "Speranza"..."Hope"). She was dedicated to the poor, and was instrumental in starting several different religious homes. I'm a little hazy on the details, because I haven't finished the reading, but let me tell you about the procession!

We started at the Giardinetti at 9 pm, torches in hand. About 10 minutes later, a horde of Vespas and an old Lancia came scooting up the hill, and the band started playing. The confraternity members clustered around the (modern) van that was at the rear of the motorcade, and spent some minutes assembling the crucifix from Collevalenza in its processional glory, complete with lumber structure to be held by 6 men, burgundy velvet curtains, and so on. This was accompanied by a dear picture of Madre Speranza herself.

All ready, and we're off! We processed up the hill to Piazza Jacopone and then into the Piazza del Popolo. The piazza was about half full (quite well attended, in other words), and the bishop, mayor, and a few other dignitaries spoke. We then all crushed up the steps to the Duomo; the steps were flanked by the archers on one side and the firefighters on the other. There was a remarkably efficient torch-snuffing operation just at the doors, involving the firemen and a bucket of water.

Inside, we enjoyed a slide show (reminiscent of 18th birthdays) and a few speakers. At that point, we'd had enough, so we drifted off and came home.

Love,

Alexandra