For 220 years now this celebration has gone on, attracting faithfuls from all over Marsica and from elsewhere. Mayor Mario Spallone has passed safety measures especially regarding the lighting of bonfires in the streets.

Every two years within the medieval walls 100 characters represent the Passion of Christ. At 20.30 the first scene with Pilate then ancient songs and the performance of the rito delle ore ("hours' rite"). Then a scene with Saint John, the crucifixion, deposition and resurrection.

The Confraternita della Santissima Trinità will start tonight the traditional celebrations going along the streets to the sound of drums. Tomorrow the Holy Sepulchre will be opened in the church of Celestino, and on Friday the procession for the death of Christ. Then at 23 on Saturday night the Sanctuary of Madonna della Libera will start the Easter celebration with the rite of the blessing of water and fire and at midnight the bells will announce the resurrection. At that time exacly the statue of Crist will be carried by running «confraterni della Santissima Trinità» to the main altar. On Easter morning in piazza Garibaldi Christ and Mary will run one towards the other, while her black veil will fall down.

Antonio Roselli, 67, emigrated to Canada 48 years ago, just deceased in Montreal. One of his works that he was the most proud of was the 9-foot marble statue of St. Michael Archangel designed by the late Ferenc Varga and sculpted by Roselli, located at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery/Mausoleum in Chicago, Il.
Roselli was well known in Tocco, where he still has relatives.

Tomorrow in San Giustino the ceremony for the renewal of the confirmation oil, then at 18.30 the "cena domini" with the traditional washing of feet. On Friday evening a Miserere played by 100 violinists directed by maestro Antonio Del Monaco will leave San Giustino, then proceed through the centre and end up in the cathedral again. The whole event usually lasts two hours.

Next May 14 celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the twinship. The Australian delegation will meet prof. Cuccurullo, the University rector then led on a guided tour of the coast, the Val di Sangro, Delverde pasta plant in Fara San Martino, San Giovanni in Venere, the Gran Sasso Physics lab and the Civitella museum, as well as see the arrival of the Giro d'Italia on 19 may.