 |
| San Domenico Abate, ora pro nobis |
Every year on May 1st (formerly the first Thursday in May), the Serpari, or snake-handlers of Cocullo, a small mountain village in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, dress a wooden statue of San Domenico Abate with snakes outside his shrine. After mass, the statue, with its reptilian shroud, is paraded through the village by a throng of euphoric pilgrims and the curious. In less squeamish times the reptiles were killed, but today they are released back into the wild. His feast day is celebrated on January 22nd.
 |
| Stemma di Cocullo |
San Domenico, the abbot of Foligno, was a renowned healer, especially of toothaches. He is also credited with building several monasteries in the region and protecting the people from wolves and snakes, a common motif symbolizing Christianity's triumph over paganism. He is also invoked against hail storms and fever.
Some believe the snake ritual dates back to pre-Christian times when the local Marsi tribes worshiped the telluric snake-goddess Angitia, daughter of Aeëtes, who taught the art of medicine to her devotees. The snake, among other things, is an ancient symbol of healing. Consider the serpent entwined Rod of Asclepius, the staff of the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing still used today by medical institutions.
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to San Domenico Abate. The accompanying photo of the saint comes courtesy of Made in South Italy Today. Evviva San Domenico Abate!
Prayer to San Domenico Abate
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of San Domenico Abate may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions. Look upon our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of San Domenico protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
