According to tradition, S. Paterniano was born in Fano in 275 AD and died there in the year 360, but it was not until 1623 that his hometown chose him as its patron saint.
In Grottammare, the veneration of the saint is undoubtedly an ancient tradition, as well as being very much alive and deeply felt, as evidenced by the commitment and expense that the local community has devoted to the celebrations in his honour since centuries past.
Until not long ago, a fair was also held on the patron saint’s day; today this has been replaced by a trade fair and is accompanied by numerous other events, such as a charity raffle, food stalls and a choral concert by the Corale Sisto V choir.
The highlight of the celebrations comes after the Solemn Mass, concelebrated by the parish priests of Grottammare, and the procession through the town’s streets with the statue of St Paterniano, when numerous firecrackers are set off.
According to an ancient tradition, the noise caused by these explosions is said to have the power to ‘break up the clouds’ and thus ward off the devastating summer hailstorms that would threaten the area’s crops.
We’re not sure whether it’s just a rumour: it was on 10 July that Grottammare experienced its most extraordinary hailstorms – on those rare occasions when the celebrations fell short of expectations.