On Christmas night in 1806, San Donato Val di Comino was the scene of an extraordinary event, still remembered today as a miracle. This fascinating Christmas story, rediscovered thanks to social media, continues to excite and inspire.
The event is about “Father Anacleto's Rose.” Father Anacleto Cenci, a Franciscan friar who was born in San Donato in 1745 and died in Greccio on Christmas Eve 1806, is a central figure in the history of San Donato Cathedral. Celebrated for the many miraculous healings attributed to him, he was proclaimed a “Servant of God” for his virtues.
According to tradition, Father Anacleto promised Abbot Carlo Coletti a sign of his death. On the night of Dec. 25, 1806, the abbot, while walking in the garden near the cathedral, noticed a rose blooming in the snow, “making a beautiful display in such squalor of nature.” Abbot Coletti immediately sensed that something significant had happened. Shortly thereafter, news came of the friar's death.
In honor of this prodigious event, the towns of Greccio and San Donato Val di Comino have twinned, celebrating the memory and spiritual legacy of Father Anacleto. This bond strengthens the historical and cultural connection between the two communities.
Visit San Donato Val di Comino to relive the magic of this story. Explore the cathedral and its gardens, where Abbot Coletti discovered the miraculous rose. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this historic village and be inspired by the legends that make it unique.
San Donato Val di Comino is waiting to share with you this extraordinary Christmas story, a symbol of faith and hope that lives on in the heart of the town.
Did you know That...
Born in San Donato in 1745, Father Anacleto was a Franciscan friar known for miraculous healings. On the night of his death, a rose bloomed in the snow near the cathedral, a sign he had promised Abbot Carlo Coletti. This prodigy has united San Donato Val di Comino and Greccio in a twinning that celebrates the memory of the “Servant of God” Father Anacleto.
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