Nome (Name):

The month of ottobre (October) takes its name from the Latin word octo (eight) because it was the eighth month in the Roman calendar.

Festività (Festivals):

On the 4th of October we celebrate San Francesco d’Assisi patrono d’Italia (Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy). When I was a child the 4th of October used to be a holiday. It was great because school used to start on the 1st of October and just three days later we were back home again! Today it’s still an important festival, which in 2005 was declared una giornata per la pace, per la fraternità e per il dialogo fra le religioni (a day dedicated to peace, brotherhood and dialogue between religions) by the Italian Parliament, but unfortunately it’s still a working day.

San Francesco (1182-1226), also known as il poverello d’Assisi (the poor little man of Assisi), was proclaimed patron saint of Italy in 1939 by Pope Pio XII. Every year on the 4th of October an Italian region donates oil for the lamp which is kept permanently alight next to Saint Francis’ tomb in the crypt of the Basilica in Assisi. This is seen as symbolic expression of the country’s devotion to its patron saint. This year it will be Molise’s turn to offer the oil.

S.Francesco d’Assisi by Cimabue

Detti (Sayings): as usual, these tend to deal with the weather and agriculture:

Ottobre è bello, ma tieni pronto l’ombrello – October is nice, but keep the umbrella ready

Ottobre piovoso, campo prosperoso – Rainy October, prosperous field

Tuoni d’ottobre, verrà un inverno caldo – Thunders in October, the winter will be warm

Caldo d’ottobre, farà freddo in febbraio – Warm October, it will be cold in February

Se ottobre è solaiolo, Novembre è fungaiolo – If October is sunny, November will be full of wild mushrooms

Per San Francesco parte il caldo e arriva il fresco – For Saint Francis (4th of October) the warmth departs and the cool arrives

Per Santa Reparata l’oliva è inoliata – For Saint Reparata (8th of October) the olive is transformed into oil

Per San Serafino si spilla il botticino – For saint Serafino (12th of October) the small barrel is tapped

Per San Donato l’inverno è nato – For Saint Donato (22nd of October) the winter is born

Per San Simone la nespola si ripone – For Saint Simon (30th of October) the medlar is stored away