Vatican
City, 15 January 2013
(VIS) – Thursday, 17 January―in
celebration of the Feast of St. Anthony Abbot, patron and protector
of animals―the Italian
Association of Livestock Farmers (AIA) will hold its traditional
exhibition of farm animals, "A Farm under Heaven", in front
of St. Peter's Square.
The
day will officially begin with Mass for the farmers and their
families to be celebrated in the Vatican Basilica at 10:30 a.m.,
presided by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, vicar general of His Holiness
for Vatican City. This will be followed by the solemn blessing of a
procession of horses and riders along Via della Conciliazione. Even
from 9:00 a.m. on, however, in the Pio XII Square directly in front
of the Bernini colonnade around St. Peter's Square, there will be an
exhibit of the national agriculture and livestock association's
production including cows, goats, sheep, chickens, and more.
Just
as in past years, pet owners are invited to bring their cats and dogs
for a free check-up from veterinarians provided by the association.
The
tradition of celebrating St. Anthony Abbot's feastday, deeply rooted
in the farming community, is very widespread in all of the Italian
agricultural communities. In the words of the president of AIA, Nino
Andena, "it is a moment of celebration that we want to share
with others in order to testify to the active role of farmers and
ranchers within society."
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