Also this year, in the night between Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the streets of Gragnano will be crossed by the suggestive Penitential procession of the White Hooded, a rite that has been renewed for almost sixty years and which represents one of the most intense moments of Holy Week.
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This edition, however, will have a special meaning: it will be the first without Gianni Rossetti, the historic organizer of the event, who for decades has passed down this tradition to entire generations of "hooded youths". To honor his memory, the association was born “Memento Mori – Gianni Rossetti”, with the aim of continuing and caring for this expression of faith with the same dedication.
“We want to recover the profound meaning of this rite, which is not just a tradition, but a true penitential act”Said Thomas Gentile, the new president of the association. “For this reason we asked Don Gerardo Cesarano, parish priest of the Church of Corpus Domini and Carmine, to be our spiritual guide.”
A spiritual legacy that continues
The initiative has received broad support from the community and, in particular, from the Rossetti family. “We see in this association the seed planted by dad”, commented the son Anthony Rossetti, underlining how the seriousness and tenacity of the group are the best way to honor the father and his tireless commitment to safeguarding the procession.
Great enthusiasm also from the municipal administration, with the mayor Nello D'Auria who wanted to share his personal connection with the rite: "I have participated in the procession since I was a teenager. This year, Gianni's absence will be felt a lot, because he was the one who reminded us, with sensitivity and affability, to pray for those who were no longer here or for those who were in difficulty. The association has a great responsibility and we, as an administration, will be at their side."
To participate in the procession, it will be necessary to contact the association's managers, who will provide information on how to join. The departure is scheduled for 1:00am on Good Friday from Place Aubry, following the traditional route. The walk will be accompanied by the sound of the musical band and penitential songs, creating an atmosphere of meditation and prayer. As a sign of devotion and participation, the association invites citizens to light a candle and to place it on balconies, windowsills or at the entrance of houses along the route, to symbolically illuminate the passage of the Hooded Ones.
Article published on 1 April 2025 - 18:07
It's nice to see how the tradition continues despite the absence of Gianni Rossetti. The procession is an important moment for the community and I hope the association can keep this tradition alive. Every year it brings strong emotions.