Tuesday 29 April Pisa celebrates Saint Catherine of Siena, patron saint of Italy and Europe and patron saint of the Parte di Mezzogiorno.

At 5.00 p.m. there will be a procession of figures and flag-wavers of the Parte di Mezzogiorno from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele to the Church of Santa Cristina (along Corso Italia and Via Toselli).

At 6 p.m. in the Church of Santa Cristina (Lungarno Gambacorti) the Holy Mass will be celebrated with Father Paolo Guerrini, who will bless the city and the flags of the noble Midday Party. 

HISTORY 

Saint Catherine of Siena, patron saint of Italy and Europe, received the Holy Stigmata in the church of Santa Cristina on the Lungarno Gambacorti on 1 April 1375 (5 April according to other sources). Legend has it that Catherine of Siena was kneeling in front of a crucifix in the Pisan church praying when the miraculous event occurred. Where the event occurred, there is now an altar dedicated to the Sienese saint and a plaque describing the episode. To the right of the high altar, a painting by Domenico da Passignano bears witness to the moment when the Sienese Saint received the Sacred Stigmata from Our Lord. In 1563, the wooden crucifix, from which the Saint received the Stigmata, possibly the work of Giunta Pisano, was brought to Siena and is currently kept in the chapel of Santa Caterina. A copy can be found in the church.