When does Italy celebrate the “Holiday of the Coming” with “Fochere” and what meaning does it have?
“Fochere” is celebrated on December 9th for “The Holiday of the Coming” “La Festa della Venuta”. It’s a remembrance of an ancient legend when angels brought the Holy House from Nazareth to Loreto in Northern Italy. Legend has it that this happened in the year 1294. It’s still celebrated in Loreto and area on December 9 but until 40 years ago this holiday was widely celebrated in central Italy in all quarters of every town and city. For weeks before, the children prepared for the “fochere” and often begged items from friends and neighbours to make the biggest fire. At night the people gathered around the fires, singing for Mary and saying the rosary. With the passing of time this tradition faded. Side Note – The Holy House is a small sanctuary, which was at one time believed to have been attached to the grotto in Nazareth where Jesus lived as a young boy. It’s also believed that this was the home of the Virgin Mary and the house where the divine mystery of the Immaculate Conception took
