What did you expect? A party? A dunk tank? Games? Well that’s exactly what I thought I was going to get when I arrived. Well actually yes that is exactly what I expected. Seriously, what do you normally think when people say festival? However, this festival was quite different. It was held in honor of the patron saint of Castel Gandolfo. Though the Feast of San Sebastian is marked on the calendar as January 20 the people of this town tend to celebrate this festival the first weekend in September. To be honest this was my first festival that honored a saint so it was quite interesting to watch everything take place.
San Sebastian was a Christian who was martyred during the Emperor Diocletian persecution of Christians. People often believe that he was shot to death with arrows but actually he survived the arrows and was later beaten to death.
At home when I attend festival I’m used to being immersed in colorful lights, great snacks such as hot pretzels, funnel cakes, cotton candy and more. When I greeted this festival in the beginning everyone just stood standing around nothing was really happening or nothing really captured my attention. I was able to catch the tail end of a procession inside of the church were a service was held to honor the San Sebastian. After walking around to see some of the lights hanging to distinguish that it was an important day I felt disappointment because I felt like there had to be more. Certainly, it had to be more this was the Patron Saint. I guess it was kind of selfish on my part because I’m so used to having the works at festivals.
As I was grabbing some ice cream to ease my disappointment suddenly there was a recessional that flowed from the church filled with people of the Catholic Church. Maybe it’s just me but I really like seeing the catholic ministers (pope, cardinals, and priests) and nuns in their attire. I think that cassocks are absolutely beautiful. Then, it got even better there was a band that was setting up to perform a concert. I was sort of upset because there were no strings and I have a certain fascination for strings but since I like all instruments it was truly an enjoyable experience. Finally, I begin to feel as though I was at a festival because in the background you could hear the children laughing and playing in the background.
Though the feast of San Sebastian was not what I expected it to be the beginning it most certainly was a time well spent. I the idea of honoring saints is entirely new to me but I glad that this time I was able to share that day with the people of Castel Gandolfo. I was able to learn some new facts about the Catholic Church and Saint Sebastian that I will be able to keep for the rest of my life
