Our Lady of the Girdle is honored on the first Sunday of September, and it is a religious feast. The devotion was spread by the Augustinians. It is said that Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, turned to the Virgin, asking which dress to wear after the death of her husband. Mary appeared to her in the garments she wore at the death of her sacred Son: a long black tunic and a mantle of the same color, a white veil on her head, and a girdle around her waist. She removed the girdle and gave it as a gift to Monica.
The following day is the turn of the Senturèl, which has nothing sacred about it. It is said that this tradition began many years ago with those who had taken part in the Marian celebrations: after Mass, it was all about going in and out of the taverns. The night was spent wherever it was convenient, and in the morning, people would gather to start again. Then, they would take the bocce balls and start an endless game along the dusty roads of the town, stopping at every tavern. The curious, very long, and abundantly wet bocce match of the Senturèl still takes place today, with the competitors covering miles and miles behind the jack. There are few spectators, but it doesn’t matter. The game continues until the end, either out of exhaustion or for fun
Far San Michél. La fiera di San Michele a San zeno di Montagna e le tradizioni dell’alpeggio e dei formaggi del Monte Baldo
Peretti Angelo
