Abruzzo News: 23 December 2000

4 hundred years old and still special, one of the most deeply felt traditions in Lanciano. Even from faraway places many come back on the 23 December. In the early evening the bishop leads a pilgrimage from Piazza Plebiscito to the small Iconicella church, where he reads his pastoral message. From 18 to 19 the church bells send out the "Squilla" message and everybody gets home. At 19 in the families the Lancianese exchange wishes and gifts, and in many homes the rite of kissing the hand to the oldest ancestor is repeated.