Sant’Angelo del Pesco – On Saturday, August 9, 2025, the community of Sant’Angelo del Pesco gathered in great numbers for a moment of deep emotion and heartfelt devotion: the return of the painting of Our Lady of Madonna del Carmine, following a long and meticulous restoration. The warm and sincere participation of the townspeople reflected the profound bond the people of Sant’Angelo share with this precious and ancient sacred image — a living part of the town’s history and identity.
The devotion of the people of Sant’Angelo to this sacred image — guardian of centuries of prayers, tears, and hopes — once again shone through in a heartfelt, collective participation. On Thursday, August 14, 2025, the community experienced another moving moment with the solemn blessing of the image of Our Lady and the imposition of the Scapular, presided over by the Bishop of Trivento, Monsignor Camillo Cibotti.
In the days that followed, the religious celebrations continued with the feasts in honor of Our Lady (August 15) and San Rocco (August 16), marked by sacred rites, processions, songs, and moments of community gathering. These days of prayer and festivity brought to a close the program that the parish administration, led by don Paolo Rossi, dedicated to the restoration and homecoming of the beloved painting.
The parish administration wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to all the faithful and the people of Sant’Angelo del Pesco for their participation and support, and above all for the warmth with which they made this event truly unique — a moment of unity and shared faith.
After the procession on August 15, the painting of Our Lady of Madonna del Carmelo returned to the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, where it will remain on display for some time, to be admired and venerated by all who wish to pay her homage.
From dream to reality: the restoration
SANT’ANGELO DEL PESCO. September 2022 – The imposing painting of Our Lady Madonna del Carmelo, prior to restoration, next to the majestic statue of San Michele Arcangelo in the Parish Church of Sant’Angelo del Pesco. – Photo: ViviSantangelo / Oreste Di Cristino.
The return of the painting of Our Lady to Sant’Angelo del Pesco marks the culmination of a journey that began more than two years ago, born from a shared and deeply felt desire. It was strongly championed by the faithful of the parish of San Michele Arcangelo determined to restore the splendor of one of the town’s most beloved and emblematic sacred images.
Leading this endeavor was the parish priest, don Paolo Rossi, who, with dedication and patience, oversaw every stage of the project. The path toward restoration began officially in March 2023, when, after careful consideration, it was decided to entrust the work to skilled hands capable of combining technical precision with deep respect for its history and spiritual value.
SANT’ANGELO DEL PESCO. Early 1950s – The procession with the painting of Our Lady Madonna del Carmelo. Photograph from the historical, literary, and photographic archive of ViviSantangelo..
The entire process was carried out in coordination with the Diocesan Office for Cultural Heritage and the Superintendency of Molise, in full compliance with the regulations set forth in the Cultural Heritage Code. The costs, amounting to €12,000, were covered through a voluntary fundraising campaign launched by the parish. A group of parishioners and volunteers closely followed the progress of the work, also assisting in managing the fundraising effort, which took place through voluntary contributions to the parish’s bank account.
It was during this time that the newspaper ViviSantangelo published a press release enthusiastically announcing the start of the restoration work:
Press Release
Sant’Angelo del Pesco, March 23, 2023
A work of faith, art, and popular memory comes back to life after 160 years
Con grande gioia informiamo la comunità che il Quadro della Madonna del Carmelo, custodito nella chiesa parrocchiale di San Michele Arcangelo, sarà sottoposto a un accurato restauro conservativo. Si tratta di un’opera di grande valore religioso e storico, da sempre oggetto di venerazione da parte dei fedeli santangiolesi.
It is with great joy that we inform the community that the painting of Our Lady of Madonna del Carmelo, kept in the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, will undergo a meticulous conservation restoration. This is a work of great religious and historical value, long venerated by the faithful of Sant’Angelo.
The goal is to restore the painting to its original splendor, preserving it for future generations and entrusting it once again to the devotion of our community.
This announcement, written at the start of the journey, carried both an expectation and a promise. Today, after months of work, that promise has been fulfilled: Our Lady of Madonna del Carmelo has returned to Sant’Angelo del Pesco, more radiant than ever, ready to continue watching over the town and its people.
1863–2025: a painting, a community, an endless story
The painting of Our Lady of Madonna del Carmelo was commissioned by the Confraternity and the townspeople as a sign of rebirth, after a lightning strike in June 1862 destroyed the original image of the Virgin.
SANT’ANGELO DEL PESCO. August 1949 – Procession with the painting of Our Lady Madonna del Carmelo. Image from the historical, literary, and photographic archive of ViviSantangelo.
Created in 1863 by the Neapolitan school painter Biagio Molinaro, the painting is an impressive work measuring 140 by 210 cm. This oil on canvas, of great historical and devotional value, depicts the Virgin Mary, crowned by angels, holding the Child Jesus, with Saints Carlo Borromeo and Francesco di Paola at her side. A symbol of faith and local history, the painting remains to this day one of the community’s most treasured artistic and religious landmarks.
SANT’ANGELO DEL PESCO. Late 1940s – From the historical, literary, and photographic archive of ViviSantangelo.
SANT’ANGELO DEL PESCO. Late 1940s – From the historical, literary, and photographic archive of ViviSantangelo.
The magnificent frame surrounding the painting is a masterpiece in its own right: monumental, carved and gilded wood, it stands as a refined example of artistic craftsmanship, perfectly harmonized with the sacred iconography of the work.
The painting was carried on the shoulders of forty men from Castel di Sangro to Sant’Angelo del Pesco (about miles), a testament to the deep popular devotion that still inspires the community today. It was August 23, 1863.
SANT’ANGELO DEL PESCO. Late 1960s – From the historical, literary, and photographic archive of ViviSantangelo.
SANT’ANGELO DEL PESCO. Late 1960s – From the historical, literary, and photographic archive of ViviSantangelo.
One hundred and sixty years later, that act of faith and collective commitment lives on through the restoration — not merely a care for the material work, but an act of love for one’s own history, a tribute to art, and a promise of continuity between generations.
SANT’ANGELO DEL PESCO. 1950s – From the historical, literary, and photographic archive of ViviSantangelo.