The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Lumi – Holy Mary of Lights – stands on a hill a few hundred metres from the fortified town of Civitella del Tronto. Its dual Marian title — “Santa Maria dei Lumi” or “della Lumera”, and at times also “Madonna della piova” — reflects two distinct devotional traditions. The first, older layer refers to a supernatural event that tradition places in the second half of the seventeenth century, when luminous hosts of angels are said to have appeared repeatedly around the hill of the sanctuary, visible from afar as flickering lights that vanished as observers approached: it is from this account that the name of the cult and its dedication to the mystery of the Lumi derive. The second layer is more recent and centres on two episodes of miraculous rainfall preserved in the collective memory of Civitella. The first, dated 20 May 1779, recounts how the Madonna dei Lumi was carried in procession through the districts of the town during a prolonged drought, followed by the arrival of rain as the statue emerged from the sanctuary. The second, dated 27 April 1883, describes a similar act of intercession after a period of drought, and is linked to the modern patronal feast of 27 April. The popular title “Madonna della piova” (“Madonna of the rain”), now less widely used but still preserved in the memory of older generations, also reflects this meteorological dimension. The sanctuary thus represents the point of convergence of a dual devotional movement — luminous and pluvial — which anchors its meaning in the rural life of the area and within a broader ritual system: the first miracle gave rise to the ongoing Candle procession held on 20 May by the community of Rocche and other hamlets (now maintained only by Rocche), while the second generated the patronal feast of 27 April in Civitella, which has survived to the present day with its ceremonial structure intact.

The feast unfolds over a three-day programme that combines religious and civic dimensions. After preliminary activities and secular events, the central moment usually takes place on 26 April, when the Marian procession is held in accordance with the provisions set by the diocesan Curia and the Superintendency, accompanied by a torchlit procession of the faithful. In ordinary years, the image carried in procession is a painted panel depicting the Virgin, while the wooden statue of 1489 — considered of inestimable value — remains in the niche of the altar; on exceptional occasions, such as the Holy Year 2025 or in the post-pandemic period, the statue itself is carried in procession. The procession sets out from the sanctuary, descends along the road and then climbs back up to the town, reaching the main square of Civitella del Tronto, where the Madonna dei Lumi meets the effigy of Saint Ubaldo, patron saint of the town, in a ritual embrace that marks the climax of the ceremony, before finally returning to the sanctuary. Throughout its route, the procession is marked by the characteristic red glass lanterns with candles inside, evoking the prodigious lights of the founding legend. The following day, the main liturgical celebrations take place, including the traditional solemn mass presided over by the bishop of the Diocese of Teramo-Atri, followed by a fireworks display that is particularly cherished by the local community.