AssetID: 53293340
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Italian Firefighter Climbs To Place Wreath On Rome's Madonna Statue
Caption: On Friday morning (08December2023), firefighters placed a wreath of flowers at the top of the statue of the Madonna in Piazza di Spagna. The ceremony featured Vincenzo Morgia, the highest-ranking official of the Rome fire department, climbing over 100 steps of a ladder truck to a height of 27 metres to present the floral tribute in the arms of the statue. The annual tradition dates back to 1856, when Roman firefighters undertook a remarkable task. Pontifical authorities enlisted the expertise of the Roman police, led by Don Michelangelo Caetani, to erect a marble column in Piazza di Spagna in commemoration of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. This daring feat was achieved in just thirty minutes on December 18, 1856, with the help of a special machine designed by firefighter Gioacchino Machi. In recognition of their skill, the firefighters were entrusted with placing the bronze statue of the Immaculate Conception atop the column on August 5, 1857. Commander Caetani commemorated the event by rewarding the brigades with a medal, endorsed by Don Vincenzo Colonna, the acting Senator of Rome. The Minister of the Interior was urged to allow the policemen to wear this medal on their uniforms. The tradition of placing flowers at the statue of the Madonna, initiated by the Vicariate of Rome and the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate in 1949, has endured annually since. The Fire Brigade, deeply connected to the monument's history, continues to ascend the thirty meters on 8 December, renewing this heartfelt homage to the Immaculate Conception. The ceremony has evolved from its humble beginnings to attract a growing crowd of faithful on Marian celebrations, underlining the enduring significance of this annual act of reverence.
Keywords: italy,rome,vigili del fuoco,firefighters,ceremony,christmas,immaculate conception
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