The Festival of the Vow commemorates the liberation of the monastery of San Damiano and the town of Assisi from the Saracens thanks to St. Clare’s extraordinary act of faith in Jesus Christ, and is still strongly felt and very popular.
The Festival of the Vow is commemorated every year on 22 June, in remembrance of the liberation of the Monastery of San Damiano and the town of Assisi from the threats of invasion by the Saracen troops, thanks to the intercession of St. Clare.
Franciscan sources tell us the story of the episode and exalt the incomparable faith the young woman had in Jesus Christ that enabled her to ask for his help so that the town and its inhabitants were spared the enemy’s assault.
From historic sources it appears the commemorated event was a mix of several events between 1240 and 1241 in a rather turbulent period devastated by wars to rule the territory.
The event was first recorded in 1644, when it was proposed at the Commune’s general Council by the Gonfaloniere, Bernardino Locatelli and it continues to be held in the same way.
A solemn procession, in which all the confraternities of the town take part, goes to the Basilica di St. Clare and ends at the Sanctuary of St. Damiano.
The festival was discontinued in 1860 when the religious corporations closed, but then returned in 1923, thanks to the intervention of the Podestà, Arnaldo Fortini.
In 1941, the seventh centenary of the liberation of Assisi was solemnly commemorated.
People continue to feel strongly about taking part in the festival.
