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The SS.Annunziata Confraternity was certainly founded in about 1500 and it is the most important. It is made up of men and women and run by a Prior and a Vice-Prior. Its members used to take part in church ceremonies wearing a characteristic white cotton dress with a cincture and a cowl covering the whole face, it was worn during funeral ceremonies. The bonfire lighted in the square in front of the Oratory is a feature of SS.Annunziata’s Day, celebrated on 25th March, and it symbolizes the great faith of the village towards the Virgin Mary.
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The Figlie di Maria [Daughters of the Virgin]’s Confraternity (also known as Madonne della Cintura, [Ladies of the Belt]) was founded in 1692 and is dedicated to the Virgin. It deals with the floral decoration and cleaning of holy places, and it takes part in the church ceremonies.
Finally, there are three other Confraternities: SS. Sacramento [the Holy Sacrament], Madri Cristiane [the Christian Mothers] and Suffragio (Anime Purganti) [Suffrage (Souls in Purgatory)].
The first one takes part in the Corpus Domini, while the second one, celebrating St. Anna’s Day in July, takes part in the processions.
The last one used to deal with the spiritual consolation of dying people, the prayers for the souls of the dead and the material help for everyone who was in difficulty. Today, it is not active any more, but it is remembered because of its great importance in the past of Pietrabruna.
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