In 1949 Massimo Caria, a young family father, fell ill with peritonitis . A disease from which people died at the time, also because the (few) treatments were quite expensive and therefore not within the reach of a humble family in a country still devastated by the war.
After 16 days of hospitalization and a diagnosis that left only a glimmer of hope, Massimo promised San Salvatore da Horta to buy one of his paintings as a sign of devotion and thanks if he would free him from the disease . Immediately after the prayer and promise, the man was healed and returned home to his wife and children.
" That man was my father and Saint Savior had performed the miracle " says with pride mixed with emotion Salvatore Caria, the president of the Permanent Committee who, for some years, has given the saint a great celebration with the participation of the entire community of Senorbì.
Salvatore Caria (in the village everyone affectionately calls him Toto) owes his name to his father's devotion towards the holy healer. «I was born in 1953, four years after the miracle that we still celebrate – says Toto – and being baptized with the name Salvatore was somehow part of the vow». The promise included the purchase of a painting with the image of the saint. «My father did more – continues Caria –, when he returned home he decided to buy a statue to give to the Parish».
Tomorrow, Saturday 1 June, the appointment with the party promoted by the Committee and the Santa Barbara Parish is renewed. This is the programme: at 6pm the solemn mass celebrated by Don Giancarlo Dessì with the sermon by Father Enrico Mascia, at 7pm the procession with the folk groups and launeddas players who will accompany the simulacrum from the parish church to the small church of San Sebastiano (across Via Sanna, via Coraddu, via Lonis and via Atzeni) where the blessing will be given to those present. At the end of the evening the traditional "cumbidu".
The older people remember the miracle of Senorbì, even if in their story the contours of the story are a little confusing . To clarify , a small newspaper dedicated to San Salvatore da Horta appeared from a dusty drawer in an old house of the Caria family where Massimo's letter was published (perhaps written at the suggestion of his mother Luigia) in which he recounted his experience and testimony of faith: «I prayed with great strength to the miracle worker from Horta, to heal me and return me healthy to my family». Even today the entire community of Senorbì turns to San Salvatore with sincere devotion.