For the first time in history, the relic of the Precious Blood of Christ leaves Mantua for Rome, where it will be on display from November 17 to 25 in the artistic and spiritual heart of the city, the Shrine of San Salvatore in Lauro.
This event combines culture, tradition, and Christian identity, bringing the value of Italy’s historical and religious heritage back to the forefront. This relic, kept for centuries in the Basilica of Sant’Andrea in Mantua, is linked to the figure of Longinus, the centurion who, according to tradition, pierced Jesus’ side. It is not only a symbol of faith, but a fragment of history that spans centuries of art, devotion, and collective memory.
A journey of culture and spirituality
The arrival in Rome marks the start of a week of celebrations, meetings, and moments of reflection, designed not only as religious events but also as an opportunity to rediscover the cultural value of the relic, its symbolic meaning, and the role it has played in the history of European sacred art.
In this atmosphere of preparation and anticipation, the statement by Monsignor Pietro Bongiovanni, who leads the sanctuary community, resonates with particular intensity:
“A great event is about to take place in San Salvatore in Lauro with the arrival of the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, preserved since the time of Longinus in Mantua. We are all eagerly awaiting this arrival and, with emotion, we are preparing ourselves in prayer to experience a moment of the highest spirituality.” Leading the cultural and spiritual itinerary of the week will be His Excellency Monsignor Edoardo Cerrato, Bishop Emeritus of Ivrea, a figure of great importance in the Italian ecclesiastical landscape.
Monsignor Cerrato, who has always been a careful guardian of tradition and a profound connoisseur of religious heritage, will offer the public meditations and readings that will allow them to enter into the historical significance of the Blood of Christ and its worship over the centuries.
His presence gives the event an authoritative and contemplative tone, transforming the week into a true space for dialogue between culture, faith, and history.
A historic and unrepeatable moment
Among the most eagerly awaited moments is the procession on November 21 to St. Peter’s Basilica, a gesture that intertwines art, liturgy, and popular tradition. For the occasion, the spear of the centurion Longinus, a relic of great historical value kept in the Vatican, will also be on display. On November 25, the closing celebration will be presided over by Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
An open invitation to all
