There is an invisible yet unbreakable thread that binds the faith of an entire people, in a small corner of Basilicata, to Saint Gerard, the patron saint of mothers and children, one of the giants of Southern Italy’s spirituality.
Few, however, know the origin of his family tree, which has its roots in Baragiano, a charming village nestled in the province and archdiocese of Potenza, a few kilometers from Muro Lucano.
It is here that we discover the family origins of the great Redemptorist saint. Baragiano is, in fact, the birthplace of Gerard’s father, Domenico Machiella (a surname later transformed into the more common form Majella, or Maiella, as it is known today).
This is no mere popular belief, but a truth supported by solid local historical documents, complemented by a living, vibrant, and uninterrupted tradition. This is also evidenced by the strong historical presence of the Machiella surname, which has its true “stronghold” in the hamlet of Franciosa, where the collateral descendants of the Saint have resided for centuries.
In Baragiano, memory is not a simple exercise in the past, but a living substance. In June 2004, driven by deep spiritual devotion, the residents erected a votive shrine in the very area where tradition has always identified Domenico’s father’s house, before he moved to nearby Muro Lucano.
The entire area was subsequently redeveloped in October 2024, thanks to the tireless efforts of parish priest Don José Conti, vice chancellor of the diocese and a driving force and promoter of the Gerardino cult in the area.
Today, the site, rescued from oblivion, has become a popular pilgrimage destination and an oasis of silence and prayer for passing faithful.
Devotion to Saint Gerard is a constant in Baragiano, permeating every corner of the ancient village. Its center is the Church of the Annunziata. Inside this splendid 16th-century Franciscan building, recently reopened for worship, a modern statue of the Saint is venerated. It is here that one of the most evocative moments of the year takes place: on the Sunday following October 16th, the statue is carried in solemn procession to the new votive shrine where, after the celebration of the Eucharist, a second procession sets out to return to the original church.
Also in the Mother Church, located in the heart of the historic center, during the celebrations for the third centenary of the Saint’s birth, a relic was solemnly displayed, alongside the image of Saint Gerard, offering the faithful an additional point of reference for devotion.
The cult is not limited to the old town center, but equally embraces the community of Baragiano Scalo. Here, the new pastoral center, with its church, was officially dedicated to Saint Gerard.
Entering the place of worship, your gaze is drawn to a wooden statue carved in Ortisei, depicting the Saint in the act of showing the Crucifix.
But there’s one detail that warms the heart of anyone who crosses that threshold: at the foot of the statue lies a basket overflowing with newborn baby ribbons and bows. It’s the loving gesture with which young mothers and the entire community entrust their new lives to the protection of the one who has always been, for all, the Saint of children and mothers.
This profound journey of faith culminates in an event that has become unmissable: during the novena dedicated to the Saint, the entire community of Baragiano sets out on a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Materdomini. This is a tangible and profound sign of a spiritual bond unbroken by time, constantly nourished by liturgical moments and prayer. The presence of the casket of Saint Gerard and the preaching of Father Serafino Fiore, Rector of the Sanctuary, have also reawakened a renewed interest in the figure of the Saint within the community.
Fr. Vincenco La Mendola, CSsR.
