The Feast of the Glorification of the Holy Cross is the most important feast of the city of Lucca celebrated with a candlelight procession by night.

According to legend, the miraculous cross, kept in the basilica of San Frediano, disappeared and was then found in the gardens of the San Martino church. The event was repeated several times until the inhabitants of Lucca finally decided to transfer the cross in the San Martino church.

The origins of the feast are very ancient and the first mention of the date of the 14th September as the legal deadline of the celebrations date back to 1118. In that period it the main feast in the city.

Sunday 13th September
12:00 pm - Ringing of the bells in celebration throughout the Archdiocese.
6:00 pm - Cathedral of San Martino | Celebration of the first vespers presided over by Mons. Archbishop. Music service of the Chapel of the Cathedral “S. Cecilia ".
7.15 pm - Gathering of all the representatives in Piazza Santa Maria, inside Porta Giannotti. Arrangement of the procession starting from Piazza San Frediano in via della Cavallerizza up to the ramp next to Porta Santa Maria, on the same ramp and on part of the walk of the urban walls.
8.00 pm - Candlelight procession of Santa Croce (max 700 people): in the churchyard of the Basilica of S. Frediano, Opening Prayer and procession.
Arrival of the procession outside the cathedral of S. Martino. Homage to the Volto Santo, brief speech by the Archbishop, songs by all the choirs, final Liturgy.
9.00 pm - Cathedral of San Martino | Execution of the "Mottettone" concert by the Santa Cecilia Music Chapel of the Cathedral of Lucca. Final blessing.

Tuesday 14 September
The Volto Santo will be dressed in precious robes and the chapel will be open for the votes of the faithful.
9:00 am - Cathedral of S. Martino | S. Mass.
10:00 - Cathedral of S. Martino | Celebration of Lauds.
10:30 am - Cathedral of S. Martino | Solemn Pontifical. Solemn Concelebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Archbishop Giulietti and concelebrated by various priests.
5:00 pm - Cathedral of S. Martino | Celebration of the Second Vespers.
6:00 pm - Cathedral of S. Martino | Mass.

Reservations required for liturgical celebrations through the Diocese website (www.diocesilucca.it).

The event is included in the September Lucchese 2021 calendar.

To comply with the covid-19 containment measures, the maximum number of participants allowed in the Luminara is 700.
The maximum number of those who can attend the procession is 2,200, distributed in the main squares (San Michele, Napoleone, del Giglio, San Giovanni and San Martino) along the traditional route. Prohibition to attend the parade along the streets.

Reservations are required for liturgical celebrations through the Diocese website (www.diocesilucca.it).

The event is part of the Settembre Lucchese 2021 program.

To comply with the covid-19 containment measures, the maximum number of participants allowed in the Luminara is 700.
The maximum number of persons who can attend the procession is 2,200, distributed in the main squares (San Michele, Napoleone, del Giglio, San Giovanni and San Martino) along the traditional route. It is not allowed to attend the parade along the streets.