San Severo
Welcome to the Diocese of San Severo!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about the Diocese of San Severo, a seat of the Catholic Church in Italy that is part of the ecclesiastical region of Puglia. If you are curious to find out who the patrons of this diocese are, the territory it covers, and its episcopal seat, keep reading!
The patron saints of San Severo
The equally principal patrons of the city and diocese of San Severo are the Blessed Virgin Mary of Soccorso, Severino (abbot), and Severo of Naples. Their feasts are celebrated respectively on May 8th, January 8th, and September 25th. On the occasion of the Festa del Soccorso (San Severo), which is held between the third and fourth week of May, the three patron saints are celebrated.
The territory of San Severo
The Diocese of San Severo extends over 1,270 km² and includes the city of San Severo and nine municipalities in the province of Foggia: Apricena, Chieuti, Lesina, Poggio Imperiale, Rignano Garganico, San Nicandro Garganico, San Paolo di Civitate, Serracapriola, and Torremaggiore. It is, therefore, a very vast territory!
The episcopal seat of San Severo
The city of San Severo is the episcopal seat of the diocese, and here is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The cathedral is a 12th-century church that has been expanded and renovated several times over the centuries. Adjacent to the cathedral is the bishop's residence, an austere building founded in 1668. Not far from here is also the seminary building, founded by Carlo Felice de Matta in 1678.
The parishes of the Diocese of San Severo
The Diocese of San Severo is divided into three vicariates and has 35 parishes. The urban vicariate includes 14 parishes, including the cathedral, San Severino, San Giovanni Battista, and San Nicola. The northwest vicariate includes 10 parishes, including Chieuti, Serracapriola, San Paolo di Civitate, and Torremaggiore. Finally, the northeast vicariate includes 11 parishes, including Apricena, Lesina, Poggio Imperiale, Rignano Garganico, and San Nicandro Garganico.
The Chapter of the Cathedral
The Chapter of the Cathedral of San Severo is composed of three dignitaries (archdeacon, archpriest, and primicerius) and twelve canons. In 1585, Bishop Germanico Malaspina increased the number of minor benefits to four. The Chapter of the Cathedral is very important for the ecclesiastical life of the diocese, being a body that helps the bishop in the management of the diocese itself.
Here is a brief summary of the Diocese of San Severo! I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about this diocese and that you can visit it soon to discover the wonders of its territory and religious community. See you soon!
