An almost unknown Marian Worship
In the range of Sorrento traditions, along with the famous Holy Week Processions, a custom that is renewed on August 14 each year should be mentioned.
This is the cult of the “Dormitio Mariae,” better know as “the procession of the Dead Madonna” and is organized by the Archconfraternity of Santa Monica, based in the Church of the SS. Annunziata.
The aforementioned Archconfraternity organizes the White Procession in the early hours of Good Friday.
Therefore, on the night of August 14 – through the narrow streets of the historic center – the beautiful statue representing the Sleeping Virgin, lit only by candles, is carried in procession.
The Dormitio - Coronatio Virginis Theme
The theme of The Dormition of the Virgin (and related worship) comes to us, first, due to the religious manifestations that have survived the Dogma of the Assumption (1950).
However, it is mainly due to the many art evidences over the centuries if today we know this aspect of the Christian religion.
The artists, in fact, taking their inspiration from the Apocryphal Gospels, have told in pictures the cycle of the Dormition, Assumption into Heaven and Coronation of the Virgin.
We Found an admirable example of the Dormitio/Coronatio theme in the frescoes held in the chapel of Santa Lucia (1385) in Massaquano (Vico Equense).
The Dormitio Mariae in Sorrento
In the booklet “Arciconfraternita di S. Monica“ (1989), written by Antonino Cuomo on the occasion of the 550th anniversary of the namesake archconfraternity, we discover the history of this tradition.
The attention to this Marian worship, in Sorrento, appears relatively late: it is 1907;
The Archbishop of Sorrento at that time, Arch. Giuseppe Giustiniani, authorized the cult upon the suggestion of Nicola Mangiardino, priest of the Archconfraternity of St. Monica.
Thus, by its own decree dated August 13, 1908, the cult of the Dormition was authorized, granting-in addition-a plenary indulgence of 100 days for anyone who kissed Our Lady’s foot.
The “Dormitio Mariae,” therefore, becomes the latest religious initiative adopted by the brethren devoted to Marian cults and keepers of the effigy of the Dead Virgin Mary.
The ritual of the procession of the “Madonna Morta” would go on for several decades.
In 1960 the procession was moved to August 14, the eve of the Assumption.
However the procession underwent a drastic change.
Since 1965, in fact, the liturgy was limited to the Chiesa of SS. Annunziata, by moving – in procession – the statue from the chancel to the sacristy.
During the days of the feast, the statue remained on display for the faithful, only to be placed back in its niche made as a sign of devotion by confrere Guglielmo Davide in 1945.
The Virgin, depicted in “mortal” sleep, is fashioned in a white dress with an ornate veil; two cherubs hold a golden crown, made in 1989 out of popular devotion.
The Procession Today
Although it does not enjoy the same notoriety as the Holy Week processions, the “Madonna Morta” procession today regains its original character in some aspects.
Actually, in fact, the Procession of “Madonna Morta” – on August 14 – is a real “Peregrinatio Mariae.”
The statue, is accompanied on pilgrimage from the Chiesa of SS. Annunziata to another church in Sorrento.
Walking along the surrounding streets, the statue first reaches the adjacent hospital for a blessing to the inpatients and then proceeds to a nearby church for the Holy Mass.
After that, the procession retreats to the Chiesa of SS. Annunziata for the final blessing.
At the end of the ritual, there’s a time of fellowship in the churchyard for those present.