Local Traditions   

Reception of Novices and the Festival of the Confraternity

Novices were young children or teenagers who entered the association dedicated to Mary, humbly asking to serve the Virgin Mary. Formerly their reception was a solemn occasion commemorated on the first Sunday following the Pentecost. Unfortunately nowadays such a tradition is no longer in use.

Before the reception service the church buzzed with excitement. Confraternity members, wearing white robes and red cape watched, deeply moved, as the expectant and curious novices gathered alongside the elegant marble altar balustrade.

The celebration started with the ringing of a handbell, accompanied by the joyful Miserere mei, Deus, sang by all the participants. Then followed the Gloria Patris with the Reverend Father reciting the verses to which the congregation replied.

After the prayer and the novices had replied to the ritual questions, the priest blessed silky red sashes, symbol of the Confraternity, and placed one around the neck of each novice. With this gesture the novice had become an official member, devoted to the Virgin Mary.

The Reverend Father would then sing Veni, Creator Spiritus, giving a lit candle to each new member while the church resounded to the Te Deum. Each new associate received the sign of peace from the Reverend Father, whilst all the Confraternity members welcomed them with a brotherly hug, accompanied by the words Pax Ubi: peace to the soul and to the heart.

At the end of the hymn the new members recited the devotional prayer to Mary and swore on the book of Regole (Rules). The Revered Father asked them to serve the Virgin Mary and beseech for Her grace that she may never desert them in life and in death.

The new members thus became part of Mary’s family. The older ones could participate in the Sunday prayers, recited during the Mass for the Confraternity’s dead members. In May and October - the months dedicated to the Virgin Mary - the new members recited the Rosary and assisted the Reverend Father in the religious activities on the Holy Days.

The members of the Confraternity continue today to celebrate Candlemas, held on 2 February to commemorate the presentation of Christ in the Temple, as their special day. On this day the members of the Confraternity make a donation. According to tradition, as a sign of devotion they receive a blessed candle. In the past, Candlemas was not only the members’ day but also the occasion for the Board and the Directors to renew their faith and devotion to the Virgin Mary, asking Her help so that they may do their best for the glorification of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Constantinople.