Mmiez' a' chiesia
In the 17th century the Archbishop’s Revenue of Naples became the owner of the "cavone" in the center of the promontory. The territory, largely dissolved by Procidan peasants depended on feudal, was given in emphyteusis to the peasants themselves, with the foundation of the first settlements.
Religion has always occupied an important place in rural life. The chapel in the peasant farms could not be missing. It fell in the center of the village and was easily accessible from small communities. The area was called "Mmiez' â chiesia"; the square coincided with the current churchyard. The facade was facing west, towards what was, at least at the beginning of the 16th century, the first landing place of the settlers of Procida. The chapel, built in the 16th century, similar to peasant housing, was intended to meet the need of the first commuter farmers to receive the Eucharist. In 1644 the chapel was rebuilt and financed by the Archbishop’s Revenue of Naples, owner of the fund, which wanted it to be dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta in heaven, just like the cathedral of Naples.
The "Madonna of the Assumption" strongly identifies with the rural and maritime nature of the community: Star of the Sea, Protector of sailors and emigrants, Protector of the harvest. The statue of the Protector of Mount Procida has ancient origins. From the acts of the pastoral visits of the diocese of Pozzuoli, it emerges the existence of a canvas representing a Madonna as an ancient warrior, canvas found, according to legend, in a cave at Cavone, probably kept hidden there for the iconoclasm linked to orthodox worship. According to tradition, the canvas was a source of inspiration for the famous figurinator craftsman Francesco Verzella to whom, in 1814, was commissioned the construction of the statue by the parish priest for the church of Monte di Procida. Verzella created a statue with a wooden soul and a plaster body. Once completed, it was taken to Procida because the parish priest was from Procida, and then transferred to Monte di Procida. It was on the altar from 1814 to 1833, until the bishop considered it a bit "dirty" due to the dress that highlighted the features. The author modified it and the mantle was moved from behind forward. Today it is proposed with the blue mantle that covers the bust.
To remember the moment when the statue arrived from Procida, the inhabitants of Monte di Procida used to carry the Madonna in procession also on the island, also because the Marian processions by sea were very common in 1800 to invoke protection in the open sea. From 1770 to 1940 the liturgical cycle of the Assumption took place according to a calendar that marked the most important events of the life of Monte di Procida, with three processions: on the day of the Ascension, one on the 15th of August and one on the first Sunday of September. Respectively they implored the heavenly blessing on the fields, the protection of the numerous sailors and emigrants was invoked and Mary was thanked for a good harvest.
