In the countryside of Civitella del Tronto, between the hamlet of Rocche and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Lumi (Holy Mary of Lights), a processional cortege moves in the spring, carrying a votive candle decorated at its top with flowers and ribbons and laden with offerings, in thanksgiving for the miraculous rain that fell in 1779 after a long drought.<\/b> Marked by prayers and the measured pace of the faithful, the large Torch reaches its destination after a journey of several kilometres, renewing each year a centuries-old vow and a pact of alliance between rural communities and their extra-human protectors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"