The Feast of Santa Maria de Sauccu is held from 7 to 17 September near the rural sanctuary dedicated to the Saint.
The sanctuary appears to date back to 1122, originally belonging to the order of the Benedictine monks and located near a monastery. It sits at 850 m on the Marghine mountain and is part of the town of Bolotana; it is, however, the inhabitants of Bortigali who renew this feast each year in honour of the Santa Maria de Sauccu.
The sanctuary stands in the area of an ancient Medieval village. The small village houses, known as “Muristenes”, accommodate those reciting the novena and pilgrims during the religious celebrations.
According to legend, one day three shepherds accidentally found a statue of the Madonna with child behind an elderberry bush (“sauccu”). It was a small, terracotta statue about 25 cm tall. This casual finding led to the creation of the sanctuary and the procession in her honour.
The procession begins on 7 September at dawn. The statue of Santa Mariedda (as she is called by the people of Bortigali) is carried from the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli as far as the rural sanctuary. The procession is led by the worker, appointed annually, who is in charge of organising the entire celebration; he is followed by the riflemen and devotees.
The second procession begins at 9 in the morning in the Church of Santa Croce, led by the statue of Santa Maria “Manna” (large) accompanied by horsemen and the sound of drummers.
When both statues reach the rural sanctuary which is about 20 km from the centre of Bortigali, the nine days of celebrations begin, alternating novenas, so moments dedicated to the faith, with moments given over to music, dancing and food.
On the 17th, the return procession and the simulacrum of Santa Maria Manna are held. On reaching Bortigali, the brothers carry it from house to house in the town, to offer benediction to the devotees.
