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Sanctuary of San Dolcido: A Treasure of Faith and History in Caraglio

The Sanctuary of San Dolcido, housed within the Parish Church of San Giovanni Battista in Caraglio, in the province of Cuneo, represents a place of profound devotion and a fascinating treasure trove of history. This sacred corner holds the relics of a Roman martyr shrouded in mystery, offering visitors an experience that intertwines faith, art, and historical research.

The Chapel of San Dolcido: A Work of Art and Devotion

Inside the parish church, a side chapel houses the wax statue of San Dolcido, depicted in soldier’s attire and in a sleeping position. The silk garments and evocative posture give the statue an aura of solemnity. Inside the statue are kept the precious relics of the martyr: a skull bone, an arm, and an ampoule containing his clotted blood.

The urn that holds the relics serves as the base for the Altar of the Suffrage. Made of gilded wood and glass by the sculptor Colombo in 1795, the urn was commissioned to house the newly arrived relics. A painted antependium, created by the painter Bianco of Caraglio or Dronero, reproduces the image of San Dolcido lying in the urn, dressed as a soldier, completing the scenic effect.

A Solemn Arrival: The Translation of the Relics

The history of the sanctuary begins at the end of the 18th century, when the relics of San Dolcido, coming from the Roman catacombs, were donated to the church by the noble family of the Counts Serale of Monticello, originally from Centallo. The Counts Serale, who kept them in the private chapel of their palace, donated them to the Confraternity of the Suffrage of Caraglio, which was based precisely in the church of San Giovanni Battista. On January 15, 1795, the relics were solemnly translated to the church in an atmosphere of great popular participation and celebrations.

San Dolcido: A Martyr Shrouded in Mystery

Despite popular devotion, the historical figure of San Dolcido remains shrouded in mystery. The relics were taken from the Roman catacombs, but there is no certain information about his life or martyrdom. The image of the saint, depicted as a soldier with an ampoule in his hand, is probably the result of idealization and popular devotion.

The Testimony of the Minutes of the Confraternity of the Suffrage

A valuable document for reconstructing the history of the sanctuary is represented by the minutes of the Confraternity of the Suffrage. Dated 1794, it reads: “Count Giovanni Serale of Monticello resolves to hand over to the Confraternity and the Suffrage the entire body of St. Dulcitus martyr with an ampoule of his blood, on the condition that it be exposed for public veneration and not removed from S. Giovanni. If the church were to become unusable, he would take back the relic, prepared to return it once the circumstance had ceased.”

A Sanctuary under Parish Care

The Sanctuary of San Dolcido has always been under the jurisdiction of the parish of San Giovanni Battista. The Confraternity of the Suffrage, which was based in the saint’s chapel, took care of the sanctuary. Before the donation, the relics were kept in the private chapel of the Counts Serale in Centallo.

Devotion and Spiritual Continuity

The spiritual care of the sanctuary has always been entrusted to the parish priest of San Giovanni in Caraglio, ensuring the continuity of devotion and the centrality of the sanctuary in the religious life of the community. The presence of the relics, the Altar of the Suffrage, and the chapel dedicated to San Dolcido testify to the deep faith and the community’s connection with the history of the martyr.

Exploration and Adventure: In Search of San Dolcido

The history of San Dolcido, shrouded in mystery, invites exploration and research. The more curious visitors can engage in a real historical “treasure hunt,” consulting parish and municipal archives in search of documents and testimonies that could shed light on the saint’s life and the origins of his cult.

Adventurous Research Ideas

• Parish Archives: Explore the registers of the parish of San Giovanni Battista to find references to San Dolcido, the translation of the relics, and the activities of the Confraternity of the Suffrage.
• Municipal Archives: Consult the municipal documents of Caraglio and Centallo to obtain information about the Serale family and the historical context of the time.
• Diocesan Archives: Search for documents in the diocesan archive to delve deeper into the religious history of the area and the cult of local saints.
• Bibliographic Sources: Look for books and articles on the history of Caraglio, the Confraternity of the Suffrage, and popular cults in the region.

The search for San Dolcido can turn into a passionate adventure, a journey to discover the roots of faith and local history.