I Misteri di Campobasso

Since then, the Mysteries have promptly accompanied the celebration of Corpus Domini in the Molise capital, with about two hundred men carrying on their shoulders 13 wooden structures on which living figures dressed as saints interpret, without moving, themes related to the history of the church and Christianity: for example, Saint Anthony the Abbot; the Immaculate Conception; Abraham; the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. True living pictures that, though silent and static, manage to convey to the faithful in procession a strong religious and emotional charge, thanks to the costumes and choreographies prepared with extreme care and skill. The bearers cover about ten kilometers, crossing the city with a fast and rhythmic pace, guided by so-called capurali, one for each Mystery, who direct the movements, stops, and lifts of the floats with a piece of reed cane. This ceremony is one of the most heartfelt and eagerly awaited in Campobasso and in the whole Molise; rooted in the soul of the population, who consider it one of the highest and most significant moments of their culture. A moment of gathering that goes beyond mere folklore, reflecting the strong Christian spirituality that has always distinguished the Molise people.