Saint Catherine Parish

Who We Are

The Parish of Santa Caterina in Pettenasco, on Lake Orta, is rich in architectural beauty and ancient traditions. It also includes the hamlets of Crabbia with the Church of Sant′Anna and San Martino and the hamlet of Pratolungo with the Church of San Grato and the small Sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Snow. The Parish is committed to promoting events and activities that involve everyone, from children to adults, to build a united community.

SANTI AUDENZIO AND CATERINÁS CHURCH

Located in Pettenasco, the Church of Saints Audenzio and Caterina was built in 1786 on a previous Romanesque chapel dedicated to Saint Audenzio. The interior, with a single nave, features in the apse a painting depicting the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine. Two other paintings represent Saint Carlo in procession with the relic of the Holy Nail and the martyrdom of Saints Quirico and Giulitta. In the nave, there is also a painting with the Nativity of Jesus. The church has four side altars, dedicated respectively to the Holy Crucifix, to the Madonna of the Rosary, to Saints Giulio and Audenzio, and to Saints Anthony the Abbot and Anthony of Padua. In the town, you can also find the Church of Saint Joseph, a small 19th-century church that is used for weekday masses. HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE IN THE PARISH: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (summer) - 5:30 PM (winter)

PATRON SAINT FESTIVAL

In the parish of Pettenasco, the patronal feast is celebrated on the last Sunday of November with a procession and the sale of cookies called "the wheels of Saint Catherine", crafted by the senior group that meets every Wednesday at the parish to play bingo. The most participated festival by the community is that of the Madonna of the Rosary, on the second Sunday of September. The festivities include two processions: the first takes place on the preceding Friday and leads to the lake, where a large bonfire is set on a floating raft, creating a captivating spectacle. On Sunday, the statue of the Madonna parades through the streets of the village in a solemn procession. On the same day, the traditional sweet fair is also held.

Activity

Catechism

Aimed at children and young people of school age. Every Tuesday and Friday.

Laboratory Activities

Workshops aimed at children are organized inside the oratory hall, mainly during the Christmas, Easter and Carnival periods.

Elderly Group

Every Wednesday it brings together the elderly people of the community for moments of meeting and leisure.

Summer Camp

At the oratory, in the first weeks of June, activities dedicated to children aged 6 to 12, from morning at 9am to afternoon at 5.30pm.

Choir

In the parish there is a choir of adults who solemnize the various religious celebrations that occur during the year.

CHURCH OF SANT′ANNA AND SAN MARTINO

Located in the hamlet of Crabbia, the Church of St. Anna and St. Martin is a single-aisle structure dating back to the late 1800s. Preceded by a porch, it houses a painting of Saint Anna, celebrated by the community on the last Sunday of July. The Feast of Saint Anna is the most important event for the hamlet, with an evening of music, social gatherings, and a solemn procession. For the Feast of Saint Martin, celebrated on the Sunday closest to November 11, a traditional blessing of bread takes place after the mass. Also, on the day dedicated to the Saint, the school children participate in the mass and then go to the club to enjoy a hot chocolate.

HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE: Every Sunday at 9am

CHURCH OF SAN GRATO

In the hamlet of Pratolungo, there are two churches. The Church of Madonna della Neve, whose festival is celebrated in the sanctuary built in 1715, containing a fifteenth-century fresco, takes place on the first Sunday of August with a procession and the bidding (auction) of offerings, and the sale of traditional "focaccina" prepared by the women of the hamlet. In the Church of San Grato, located in the historic center of Pratolungo, the feast is celebrated on the last Sunday of September. On this occasion too, a procession takes place and offerings are bid upon. At the end of the procession, before the statue returns to the church, the traditional "blessing of the sky" is conducted to request San Grato′s protection of the fields.

MASS TIMES: The pre-festive Mass on Saturday, in winter at 18.15 and in summer at 20.30.