The one-thousand-year-old tradition is repeated: all the men in the village retire for three days in the Santuario della Madonna di Candelecchia, and meditate on brotherhood and the Gospel. This year the spiritual leader was monsignor Lucio Renna. Unfortunately after crossing the ditch separating the sanctuary from the village everything is the same as before.

Today the festivity in honor of patron San Tommaso Apostolo will start. Music, fireworks, then at 17 from Palazzo Farnese a historical parade will carry the silver keys kept by the municipality, which together with the keys kept by the church will open the urn with the sacred bust. Many medieval costume groups will take part: the Armigeri e Musici from the Sestiere della Quintana, Ascoli Piceno, from Castiglion Fiorentino, Narni and Soriano sul Cimino, the "banderesi" from Bucchianico, dancers from dell'Aquila, the Mastro Giurato from Lanciano and the Camerlengo from Chieti.

The inhabitants of Gioia dei Marsi will walk on a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Madonna della Libera in Pratola Peligna. The origins of this traditions are unknown. Departure yesterday morning at 6 am, then walk on the road to Pescina, then through the mountains up to Goriano Sicoli, at the sanctuary of Santa Gemma Vergine. At 14 from the top of Monte Serra they see the sanctuary of Madonna della Libera, kneel and pray. Then the descent to Raiano and Pratola. Once in the church, they proceed along the central nave on their knees (the «struscio» rite) and kiss the sacred stone below the altar.